31 May 2023
I have written this month on my blog about the importance of following a balanced fitness programme and lifestyle.
Sometimes the work of a personal trainer can seem to be mostly technical; what exercises to undertake to grow which muscle groups, the best cardio routine to lose weight, what to eat and when to have the energy needed to train, that sort of thing. All of these topics and how they are engaged with are, of course, important, depending on the goals of the person concerned.
I follow a particular training regime and modify this depending on my training priorities at any given time. I recently changed the amount of weight I work with, for example, as I was becoming concerned that the heavier muscle I was carrying may be slowing me down (which it can do). So, I changed up my training, raising its tempo, whilst maintaining a focus on the techniques I use in my training.
At the core of how I train, regardless of how I modify the goals I am following, is this issue of momentum and pace. When I train, my focus is on the training and making the best use of the time available to me when I do so. Stepping off from that training to chat, check messages on my phone, or be diverted is something that I avoid because to do so means dropping the momentum and pace I have built up whilst training.
Which is always a bad idea.
But maintaining a positive and productive fitness lifestyle requires more than physical exercise and following dietary guidelines. It also involves getting good quality sleep, engaging in the wider world, as well as investing in the relationships most of us need to have a meaningful life.
Balance these more intellectual and emotional elements with the physical and a long, healthy life will follow.
Which is the name of the game, is it not?
Julien Bertherat
Personal Trainer
