Physical Activity isn't Enough, You need a Fitness Program
Hi, my name is Scott Vogt, I am the owner and Head Coach at Clarkston Fitness. My wife Jen asked me to go over why Physical activity is just not as effective as an actual fitness program.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY is great! Being active is great! But there is definitely a difference between being active and following a structured fitness program.
Physical activity is a movement that requires energy. When that energy is used you have caloric expenditure. So doing something is always better than doing nothing at all. Now I am sure that the activity that you love to do is fun, or why would you love to do it, but the truth is that it is just not the most effective and efficient way to reach your goals.
Meanwhile a Fitness Program is totally structured with GOAL ACCOMPLISHMENT in mind. It is a planned, structured, repetitive plan that is tailored to crushing goals and working towards consistent improvement.
Let’s go ahead and break down some key reasons why a FITNESS PROGRAM will benefit you way more than just staying active:
STRUCTURE: if you are following a structured plan or being trained/coached by someone who has one for you, you are way more likely to be successful. I have talked to enough people about their failure to meet personal goals to know that people hate and fear to come to the gym - they have zero clue on what to do or where to start. So they just walk on a treadmill ( if the goal is weight loss, that’s the wrong thing to do! It will take you forever if you have a significant amount to lose) and or float around the gym jumping on a few things here and there, with embarrassment, because they have no idea about what to do. Then the frustration kicks in, they leave the gym, eventually giving up once again.
Following a structured program or going to see someone that has a structured program helps to make sure that you are not just spinning your wheels and not seeing results. No one likes the feeling and frustrations of working your butt off and not being able to tell.
A program takes the fear out of not knowing where to start or what to do. It literally has done all the thinking and planning for you. All you have to do is be consistent, show up and do the actual work! I know it sounds easy to say but it is literally just that easy!
GOALS: set goals for yourself. Not all your goals are the same. Some of you might want to lose weight, some of you might want to gain muscle but usually the program that you are following can do both of those things. And guess what you need to do to be able to burn fat and lose weight?
That’s right, build muscle! We will get into that another time. We all have goals when it comes down to how we want to look and feel. But we need set them, set them high, have long term and short term goals. Reward yourself for hitting those goals along the way and definitely hold yourself accountable. And if you can’t do that yourself, you need to have someone that will!
ACCOUNTABILITY: a program will give you something everyday to wake up to and be able to look forward to. Crossing things off a list or checking the DONE box makes everyone feel accomplished and better about themselves. Programs allow you to check boxes.
Like I said earlier if you cannot hold yourself accountable find a trainer or coach that will. I can 100% promise you, and my members can attest to this, if you are missing my classes or training times you bet that you are getting that dreaded text or phone call asking you where you have been or if everything is ok and if there is anything I can do to help you get back on track.
Ultimately seeing success is the best accountability tool. When you are seeing results and the hard work paying off, there will be nothing that you let stand in your way!
BURN OUT: When all the good things from the accountability section pays off like checking the boxes, hitting goals along the way like pounds loss or gained on the scale, inches lost in your waist line, inches gained in your biceps, new personal lifting or running records. These are all the things that will prevent burnout and make you keep coming back.
OVER TRAINING: this is a big one! How can you stay on track to hit your goals if you overtrain and get hurt along the way. Now it happens sometimes and sometimes even the best programs and coaches can’t stop it. But we can try to do things to avoid it for sure. A program will definitely help with this because the program will have already figured out - what moves to do on what days, what weight % and when to rest. Rest is a huge one that a lot of us dedicated and highly motivated people hate to do but believe me it is 100% necessary and the most important thing you can do for longevity and health.
Now having said all of that, movement and activity is extremely important but have your fun activities be your hobbies and consider them a plus, a beneficial fun stride to the step to reaching your goal, but NOT the actual step. Follow a program, be dedicated and committed to it and yourself. Do not be the person that spins their wheels, gets frustrated and gives up. There will still be ups and downs but go back to the accountability and goals section... Kick yourself in the ASS and get back on track!
And if you can’t do that, give me a call and I promise, I will do it for you.
GO CRUSH YOUR GOALS, GO CLIMB THAT MOUNTAIN, ALL THE WAY TO FRICKEN GLORY!
-Scott