How to Find a Training Program You Can Stick To
Why is it that, no matter how hard you try or how badly you wish you could, you just can’t get yourself to stick to a training program?
It’s easy to blame yourself for lacking discipline or not wanting it bad enough. However, there are other factors to consider. The training program itself may not be a good fit, and no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to force a square peg into a round hole.
With that being said, here are 5 Reasons Why a Training Program May Not Be a Good Fit.
It doesn’t align with your “why.”
We all have a “why” behind our training. It’s the reason we show up to the gym when we don’t want to. It’s the reason we get out of our warm beds at 6 AM to work out. It’s the reason we embrace the suck of hard training. Whatever your why is, it must be served by your training program. If it’s not, you will struggle to adhere to the program because it’s not connected to your purpose for training. If you want to look good naked, don’t try to become a marathon runner. If you just want to be able to keep up with your kids, don’t join a powerlifting gym. If you want to build muscle, don’t take on Zumba. If your training program doesn’t serve your why, you will not stick to it.
it’s focused on short-term progress.
A lot of training programs promise results overnight. However, in order to do that, a program must dial up the intensity and frequency of its workouts (i.e. brutal workouts multiple times per day), while also increasing fatigue and the risk of injury. And even if you are able to cross the finish line on one of these programs, chances are you’ll be so beat up and worn down that you’ll need to take time off from the gym, getting you right back to where you started. The bottom line is that you can’t continue to train if you’re always under recovered or injured.
It’s not flexible.
If your program is rigid in structure, it’s only a matter of time before you get off track. One missed workout leads to two. Suddenly, you’re a week behind and feel like a failure. Your training program should be flexible, creating wiggle room for missed workouts, lack of progression, and willingness to train. Your training program should fit around your busy life, not the other way around.
It lacks balance.
If our end goal is to be working out and staying fit into old age, then we need to take a balanced approach to fitness. Strength training will build and retain muscle as well as stave off osteoporosis. Aerobic conditioning will keep the heart healthy and help fight against disease. Mobility training will maintain full ranges of motion at the joints and independence into old age. One aspect should not be favored over the other. Rather, all three should be present in a sustainable training program.
It’s not enjoyable.
Finally, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, it’s only a matter of time before you quit. So, make your workouts fun. Mix things up. Listen to great music. Workout with a friend. Get outside. Reward yourself after with your favorite TV show. Whatever you need to do. And if you’re saying to yourself there’s nothing that will make working out fun for me, I encourage you to try anyway. Because even though it might not be love at first sight, it could be something you learn to love.
now what?
To review, the training program you’ll stick to is one that aligns with your “why”, focuses on long-term progress, is flexible and balanced, as well as enjoyable. If you’re looking for a program to check all those boxes, I highly encourage you to try out our group classes or sign up for personal training at The Love of Fitness. If you’d like to schedule a free intro session, click the link below!