I overheard someone telling a story that they hurt themselves on the treadmill at the gym. They announced to everyone that the gym is a “dangerous place”. This individual is in a position of authority, so people listen. It doesn’t matter if they’re an authority on the specific subject they’re talking about or not, it has the same impact. The truth is, the audience to which those heinous words were said would greatly benefit from exercise. And, if they already have apprehension when it comes to going to the gym or doing exercise, hearing that soothes them and provides the reason (excuse) not to.
Skewed Information:
We’re really not great at understanding statistics. We tend to focus on the outliers rather than the rule, because it stands out. If someone has dedicated their life to health and fitness, and then dies, people will say something to the effect of “why bother being healthy, look at that guy who ate acai berries for breakfast and still died”. If you get hurt in the gym, it’s your fault for going to the gym. If you get hurt sitting on the sofa, there’s empathy and a shaking of the fist at DFS.
Quick! There’s a sale on!
The Sedentary Life:
We know many people who don’t exercise who suffer from some of the same issues that people who exercise do. Why? Because we’re people. You’re a complex, biological creature who has to navigate the world for an increasingly long time, though not long enough for evolutionary adaptations, but enough time to get a bad neck from being startled by a spider in the corner of the room (which turned out to be a sticky toy your kid lobbed at the coving).
The Physical Life:
I still get pains, niggles, and injuries but there’s more pride attached to saying that you’ve hurt your back from deadlifting a heavy weight VS picking up a paperweight. We also:
- Recover faster from injuries and surgeries
- Have more energy to play with the kids
- Lift heavy stuff up the stairs
- Become more steady on our feet (just stay off the trampolines)
It feels great to be strong! But it doesn’t always feel great becoming strong. It’s hard, but honestly, not as hard as you think.
Look guys, I lifted it! Oops, I’d forgotten my carpal tunnel
Invest in the Learning Process:
Did you train to do your job or did you get it on day one? Of course you trained – it’s a process. Why is exercise any different? It isn’t. Do you think you should know it straight away? You shouldn’t. That’s like saying to a 3 year old:
“You don’t know your 3x tables? What a let down!”.
“Neither do you, Dad. What’s 6×3 then?“
…
“Go to your room!”
You have to learn in your own way and in your own time. I’ve worked with clients who understand how to move well in their first session, but that’s very rare. Most people don’t know their calves from their elbow. But, with the right support and guidance, bit by bit, you’ll build those skills at your own pace, and then a year later? You will know your body and what it’s capable of – which is a whole lot more than it was before.
If you’d like to discuss how to build these skills safely, book a complimentary video consultation with me.