Wasting Time at the Gym

So today I'm taking my Motivator, Story-teller, Drill Sergeant and Politically-Incorrect-Rude-Bloke hats off and putting on my Exercise Scientist beret.

Yep, you read right; beret. Ready, steady, go.

If you want to change your body in some way, then today's chat might be of interest to you. I get a bunch of letters every week from lots of frustrated "my body's not changing and I need help" people, so those letters have been the catalyst for today's article. For some of you, this will be revision. For some it will be a revelation. And for others, it will be of no interest at all. See ya tomorrow.

Coming from a bloke who owns a couple of gyms, the title of this piece may seem dumb or a bit contradictory. Perhaps. You be the judge.

The truth is that many of us are wasting our time and money at the gym (or any training environment for that matter; not just gyms, but I couldn't fit all that in one title). For some of us, a trip to the gym is little more than a social outing. We spend months, sometimes years going through the motions — doing the same things, the same way, for the same amount of time and producing the same result: zero (or very little) change.

There was some initial change when we first started but for a long time we have felt like we've been standing still, as opposed to making any significant progress or seeing any real physical change.

If you're exercising to get a bit sweaty, increase your heart rate, move your limbs and have a social outing on a regular basis, then you're not wasting your time; you're right on track; but if your goal is to look amazing (or different at least) and create significant change, then it may be time to re-assess the way you approach your workouts.

If your motive for hitting the gym (or wherever you train) is to maintain what you have (in terms of fitness, size, shape, weight, appearance etc.), then doing the same and producing the same result is great. But the truth is, most of us exercise because we want to change; we want to experience a 'new and improved' version of us. Simple. Not rocket science. We hand over our 'hard-earned' because we want "different."

Article Author: Craig Harper

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is the #1 ranked Motivational Speaker by Google. He is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host and owner of one of the largest personal training centres in the world.

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