Fitness should be fun!

When I was as swimmer, many moons ago I remember crying to one of my coaches that my arms were so sore I could barely move them and he said to me "You're not here to enjoy yourself, now get back in the water where no one can see your tears." I can't remember how old I was, mid teens maybe but I have never forgotten that moment. It could have made me quit in fact it nearly did but I was and still am a fairly tough old boot so I resolved to just get on with it and try my best.

From that moment I pledged to only ever enjoy my training sessions. At the end of the day, I got to spend hours every day with team mates/friends I loved and that was the best bit. I also learnt what an amazing machine my body was which, when fuelled, rested and worked in the correct proportions could achieve incredible things, break records and win gold medals. No one knew 'me' better than me! It was my swimming career that taught me that.

As an instructor and gym based PT I'd watch people drift from one machine to another looking, bored, disinterested and somewhat lost. I'd see other trainers pushing their clients to what looked like 'near death - no pain no gain' situations. I'd see the body builder cry miserably over a spilt fork full of their calorie counted, macro measured, plain looking meal. I'd see an overweight person gormlessly watching the tv as they plodded along mindlessly on the treadmill. I'd see fellas drift around the free weights area, shaking a protein shaker and chatting inscesantly about protein, creatine, PED's, 'gear', steroids, drop-sets, super-sets, pyramid-sets, 3 day, 4 day, 5 day splits! I'd wonder quite how long these people would stick with their regimes. I constantly wondered "What is this all about?"

Most of the aforementioned people would disappear as quickly as they appeared and it became obvious that they guys that came in a smiled, joked, laughed with other gym goers and staff, were the same people you would see 1,2,3 years after you first met them.

I would say most of my clients I have met through a laugh and a giggle, rather than blinding them with science. Mostly, I had set them a workout plan that had worked, that they had

enjoyed. 'Enjoyed' being the operative word right there! The enjoyed it so they came back for more.

People often ask me "What is the best exercise to achieve a, b, or c?" My answer is simple and it often surprises them when I say, "Whatever you enjoy the most!" Obviously I like to chase this up with a realistic plan to help them achieve their goals the quickest way but in terms of exercising for health it simply has to be something you enjoy. Without enjoyment there will be limited exercise adherence or longevity.

The current guidelines from the UK Chief Medical Officer recommend that for optimum health we should perform at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise (or exercise that we can talk though) or exercise vigorously where talking is difficult for 75 minutes per week or a

combination of the two. Now if you told me that the best way to achieve this was by me going for a run, I simply would not do it. Running and I do not get along, in fact I can categorically say I am

allergic to running, even the mere thought of it can bring me out in hives. Blatantly that exercise prescription is totally wrong for me and I am not going to stick to that for very long - MISSION FAILED!

The guidelines also recommend that I should aim to build strength on at least 2 days a week to keep my bones, muscles and joints strong. I would be quick to dispute this as evidence has shown that strength and resistance training/exercise can be even more beneficial on heart health than cardiovascular training. Anyhow, I digress. So now you want to send me to a body pump class - Sorry Hun, not on your Nelly!

So my point is; a run and a body pump will be some people's idea of a heavenly workout but for me, well, I just wouldn't go, simply couldn't stand it on so many levels but I can achieve the same effect by doing something I enjoy. My ideal is a CrossFit workout and my beloved

CrossFit classes at my box with the like-minded friends I meet there. I enjoy the challenge, the mixture, the functional nature of the moves, I love the challenge of flipping a tyre, snatching a barbell and swinging a kettlebell. I enjoy the social aspect and the competitive nature. For others, I am well aware this could feel like hell on earth.

However, I am a strong believer there is an exercise/activity out there for everyone and as a personal trainer it is my job to find that sweet spot, something sustainable, enjoyable and effective.

Gardening and yoga, walking & a twice weekly weights session, the list is endless. As long

as you can keep things functional (think how your chosen routine will improve your everyday life), varied, while mixing up the intensities, the how, where and when you exercise - you're sorted.

When it comes to training my clients of course I take all their goals super seriously and program their workouts accordingly. I am going to make the process as fun and as enjoyable as I can because at the end of the day who wants to spend an hour with someone who makes their life miserable, someone who creates merry hell for and hour then boots them out the door. We can achieve all we need to and push beyond our comfort zones while having a laugh and giggle on the way.