Keep A Steady Pace!

 

The gym was packed last week. Everyone arriving with good intentions and hopes that this will be the year that they make the change toward a more active lifestyle.

I am happy to say that I usually gain about two or three new students at this time of the year but sadly most of the new people who came last week, I will never see again.

Coming to the gym on a consistent basis is the key to success and yet so many people end up giving up after the first week.  So I often ask myself why this is and how I can help.

The most important thing that I have to remember is as a general rule, people do not like formal exercise classes because they cause some discomfort. You will feel your muscles the next day or a few days after exercise.  For some people, when they feel this way they tell themselves that they have caused damage to their bodies and they can never risk doing that again. As a result they tell themselves that the gym is not for them!

All I can say is it takes a week or two to get used to the discomfort that comes with muscle enhancement. You have to stick with the program.

Another thing that I must remember is how hard it is to be the new kid on the block.  When you walk into a room full of students who all seem to know each other and who know all of the moves that they teacher is demonstrating, it can be intimidating. If a student spends the entire class going the wrong way or being behind a few steps, this can cause them to feel that they are not good enough.  After all, if the class is filled with people from their age group or older, and they cannot keep up, well this must mean that fitness is not for them! If the teacher has not made a personal connection with this student and if no one else has made them feel welcome, they will probably never return.

I really hope that all of the new students I met last week return today and all week.

My wish is to spread the joy of exercise to all ages and levels of fitness students. 

What we have to remember however is that sticking with our commitments and attending the classes is key. Being steady and consistent wins the race. If you were a bit sore last week, speak to the teacher before giving up completely. We will give you hints and suggestions to make week two even better! 

Soon you will be laughing and enjoying the classes along with the rest of us and you will begin to reap the rewards of exercising regularly!

Have a wonderful day everyone.
Beth