Do You Need a Place to Workout, Too?

A client will occasionally ask why my wife Sandy and I chose to open Smarter Exercise.  I usually reply, half-jokingly that it’s because “we needed a place to workout.”

The honest truth is… we really did need a place to workout!  In order to make the most of our time and still get a great workout, we needed a few things.

First, we needed a professional environment. We wanted a place where we could go and just workout without any hassles.

  • I’m impatient, and I don’t like to wait in line for equipment.
  • We didn’t want to hassle and deal with inconsiderate people who hold-on to equipment through multiple sets because they see you standing there and they don’t want to wait for you, or don’t wipe down after themselves…
  • Plus, some gyms purposely keep the temperature too hot because people assume they must be doing something worthwhile just because they’re sweating…
  • Too many times, machines and equipment don’t have clear instructions, or are out-of-service altogether…
  • And I can’t take it when the music is too loud or they’re playing music with inappropriate lyrics.

Second, we wanted a nice place that would be convenient, or we would never go.

Third, we needed it to be safe. If we’re going to get hurt, we’re going to get hurt doing something that is a lot more fun and exciting than routine exercise – you know like skydiving, swimming with sharks, or snowboarding.

Fourth (OK, we wanted more than just a few things), we also wanted privacy. Let’s face it, more people mean more distractions. Whether they are talking on their phones, talking to other gym members, hovering, staring, posturing, posing in front of a mirror, being rude, being nice – whatever they’re being – they are being a distraction. Hey, I like people, but I don’t want to share their germs or sit in their sweat – yuck! gross!

Oh, and fifth, we need it to be really, really clean!

Seriously, we needed a place to workout and we wanted it to be nice.  To workout to us means progressive strength training. We needed a nice place to workout because we want all the physical and mental benefits of being stronger. We want to be strong forever, which means we’re going to have to participate in progressive strength training forever – FOREVER!  If you want to be strong forever, too, you have to strength-train FOREVER, too!

Sixth, we needed a place to workout that we could go back to over and over and over… dare I say it, we needed a place to workout that we actually enjoyed  going to…

Seventh, it would helpful if, at this imaginary professional, quick, convenient, safe, private, clean, enjoyable place, I could make an appointment for my workout. My life – like yours, I’m sure – is very scheduled.  I need to reserve a little time each week for my myself – it has to be on my calendar, or it will get squeezed-out by other appointments that are on my calendar. Knowing someone – my instructor – is expecting me will keep me accountable, too.

Eighth, we needed a place to workout where we didn’t have to worry about packing a gym bag, changing into workout clothes, taking extra showers, and washing smelly gym clothes and wet towels.  We needed a place to workout that was kept cool and the air was circulated so we wouldn’t get overheated in the first place – that would save a lot of time!

Come to think of it – ninth– we needed a place to workout where all we had to do was show-up. 

I cannot think of a single activity that is more beneficial to your daily life, your sense of well-being, and your ability to do anything you want to do!  Feeling better and looking better, stronger muscles and stronger bones, more stamina and a revved-up metabolism all from weekly 20-minute sessions… If you too need a place to workout, you’re in luck!

 

Take Care of Yourself

My Dad

In 1991 at age 61 my father suffered a stroke which left him with impaired speech, paralysis on the left side of his body, and a generally less than sunny disposition.  My father had always been an intensely proud man and an exceptionally hard worker, often working two or three jobs in order to provide for our family, this left little time for something as self-indulgent as “exercise”.

My father’s poor health did not start with his stroke, but the stroke did contribute to accelerated atrophy of his muscle tissue and a long, slow decline.  No, my father’s poor health was a work in progress his entire adult life.  Although he did not smoke cigarettes, take drugs, or drink alcohol, there were other factors at play.  He had a hearty appetite, a hereditary predisposition to diabetes and heart disease, and an absence of meaningful exercise.

After twenty-two years of being confined to a wheelchair, this once giant of a man was reduced to mere skin and bones.  After enduring years of what he felt were the personal indignities of needing help with bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and eating, he had enough.  In September 2013, on his last trip to the emergency room, he reminded the staff that a signed ‘DNR’ was on file with the hospital.

Sadly, my dad’s story is not unique.  And while I have the ultimate respect for my father and the sacrifices he made to provide for my family’s welfare, the cost was too high!  When it comes to my health, I have no desire and no intention of following in his footsteps.  I want to be active and fully engaged with life and family for all the years of my life.  I watch what I eat, and I exercise a few minutes each week to gain strength and preserve muscle.

 

Do It Yourself Workouts

I often hear the question, “Can I do this type of workout on my own?”

Yes, you can lift weights slowly by yourself. I recommend that you get the book Body by Science by Doug McGuff, M.D. & John Little.

When you’re on your own, you don’t need an appointment, a state-of-art facility, or an experienced instructor. You don’t need to workout in a private, climate-controlled, distraction-free environment. You don’t need to use the best equipment. You don’t even need to join a gym; you can move slowly with inexpensive dumbbells or cartons filled with water. To get started, you can use your body weight on playground equipment at a park – for free!

In my experience however, most of us benefit from proper guidance, as well as the environment, equipment, and structure of Smarter Exercise. I know what works for our clients and for me, personally. No matter how busy I am, I know I can realistically fit a twenty-minute appointment into my regular weekly schedule. I know for myself that I am far more likely to show-up for my workouts if they’re in my calendar. I also know that I am far more likely to show-up for my workouts if I am responsible to meet another human being there.

I don’t have to worry about what to do; I know my instructor will have prepared a great workout for me (I know this because I know how their devious little minds work). I know that they will extract from me the most I am willing to give on any particular day. I know I will workout with strict form and better technique if an instructor is supervising my workout. I will consistently work harder with an instructor watching me than I will on my own. And most importantly – I know my instructor will not sacrifice my safety in order to provide a great workout. After all, it’s just routine exercise, shouldn’t it be safe?

by Thom Tombs