Why Working Out is Like Going to Costco

If you talk to people that work out at any typical gym and ask what their fitness goals are, you will get the standard responses.  Some will say “I want to gain muscle.”  Others will comment that “I need to tone up.”  Most will admit that “I really want to lose weight.”

Regardless of their answers, one thing holds true for most all of them.  They don’t know how to go about achieving their goals.

Over the years I have watched countless men and women work out.  I can only liken their sessions to a trip to Costco.  At Costco, there are always food and beverages to sample.  You never know what you’ll try until it’s in front of you. You try a bite here. You try a sip there, maybe read a brochure while you snack. You go around the corner to see if there is anything else you might like.

That’s what most people do when they come to the gym. They jump on a random machine, perform a few reps and move on to the next.  They look around at the equipment, hoping to see some instructions somewhere. They throw a dart and pick one, play on it a little and move on again.

More often than not, there is no rhyme or reason to the average person’s workouts.  No wonder most members don’t see results and quit going to the gym.

If one goes to school, there is a curriculum to learning.  One cannot haphazardly go to class only when one feels like or study when the mood is right and expect to succeed.  This holds true in virtually anything else in life.  Yet when it comes to exercise, most people do not have a proven regimen or even a structured plan that will effectively help them achieve their goals.

With the internet, we can read about and even watch how others exercise.  There is good information out there but be careful.  Just because someone has a camcorder or writes a blog about an exercise routine, doesn’t mean that person is an expert.

Look for credentials. How long has the person been in the health and fitness world? Also keep in mind that some of the exercises you may see on a website may be too advanced for many to execute in a safe manner without the risk of injury.

So, how can one get accurate information on how to achieve fitness and health goals?  The best way is to find a qualified fitness professional that knows and understands one’s specific objectives and also limitations.  A personal trainer will tailor an exercise program accordingly.