Q: I have been going to the gym on and off for a number of years now and I find myself getting bored of doing the same old routines. I’ve been at a plateau for quite some time and I’m becoming less and less motivated to workout. How can I make going to the gym fun again while getting better results?
A: Most of us are creatures of habit and that can be a good thing but in many cases, such as this, it can work against you. Going to the gym or exercising in general is a great lifestyle habit to adopt but the problem is if we do it the exact same way for an extended period of time we become complacent and make little to no improvement. Specifically, when going to the gym you should approach it with somewhat of a rebel attitude. By this, I mean you have to go against the grain a little and start doing the things that no else is doing or the things that you aren’t good at. For example, most guys like to bench press and do bicep curls. An easy way to break this habit is to start incorporating alternative forms of upper body exercises like push-ups, chin-ups, and rows. You can also intensify your workouts by performing full body compound exercises like a squat into an overhead press. This will increase your energy output and make your workouts more efficient. For the next month, I want you to do at least one new exercise or an exercise that you really don’t like every time you workout. This will encourage you to break old habits and present new challenges during your workouts. Basic training will get you basic results. Start thinking outside the box and take your fitness to the next level!
Q: I decided it was time to get back in shape so I just recently bought a membership to a local gym in my neighbourhood. I’m really motivated to get going but I really don’t know where to start. Is there a certain routine I should follow when I go to the gym?
A: It’s great that you’ve made the decision to get back into shape and change your lifestyle habits. However, one of the biggest mistakes a lot of people make is that they join a gym with very little or no formal exercise experience. All too often, people sign up for long term gym memberships in order to pay lower premiums and in the hopes that it will motivate them to keep going. The result is usually the exact opposite. Most will drop out due to a lack of knowledge and commitment to their exercise routine. To be successful with an exercise program, like anything else in life, you must have plan. In this case, this usually requires the expertise of a personal trainer. I strongly recommend booking a consultation with a personal trainer who can help you set goals and design a program that is specific to your needs. This will make your time spent in the gym more productive. This can be a large investment for some, but seeing a trainer as little as once a month may be enough to keep you on track and have you reaching your goals much faster than if you tried to do it on your own. As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. I wish you all the best in your pursuits.
Isaac Payne, Strength and Conditioning Specialist
