I Got Two Words, Pay Me

Well, it is time for the most wonderful time of the year. No, it isn't Christmas; it's New Year's Day or shortly there after. Why? Because that's when thousands of people march into their local health club proclaiming that this is the year they are going to get into shape. If you are a personal trainer, it is like being a bear sitting upstream waiting for the salmon. Anyone who works at a health club or belongs to one can attest to this. All the aerobic classes are standing room only, you need a reservation to use one of the treadmills, and there is a twelve man rotation to use the cable cross machines. It is the same revolving unfulfilled resolution that repeats itself year after year. It starts off like this, "I ate like a pig this holiday...," "I must have put on at least ten pounds...," "now I'm ready to get into shape..." But if good intent was enough to get everyone into great physical shape, sixty percent of the U.S. population wouldn't be well over the healthy body fat percentage level (over 15% for men, and over 22% for women). Sorry, I don't know what the statistics are in other countries, but I'm sure that somewhere in your neck of the woods there are a few people who could stand to drop a few pounds.

However, as they say, "only the strong survive" and long before 2005 is over, a large part of the gym population will have dropped off - bless their hearts. They will not have been in good shape for the Spring, but at least they will have given it the college try. If it is any consolation, the gym ownership will be thanking them for their monthly donations for as long as their contract locks them in.

Now, those who manage to persist past the blooming of the cherry blossoms will not necessarily be better off. Time in the gym does not always equate to time well spent. The casual gym-goer who quits an exercise after the fourth repetition - "that's enough of that, I'm starting to feel the burn" - is clearly deluding himself or herself into believing that they are actually taking an active role towards their health. Yeah, something is better than nothing, but not by much.

Then there is the multi-tasking gym member who is talented enough to read the newspaper and do leg extentions at the same time. Oh, and I love this one, "I run so I don't have to work on my legs." Nothing could be further from the truth. There are also those who simply go through the motions pushing weights my eight year old daughter could handle. News flash, if you don't challenge yourself a little, you will not get any results. While I am at it, I might as well tell you that twenty minutes on the stair climber is not enough to burn any significant fat stores, but it will help strengthen your heart. To put a serious dent in the size of your fat cells, you need to perform aerobic exercise four to six times per week for thirty to fourty-five minutes per session.

The bottom line is this, if you plan to make a commitment to your health make sure to formulate a game plan or it is not going to work. If you are not sure how to get started talk to the trainers at your club. Most clubs provide their members with free health assessments and one or two free personal training sessions to set up an exercise program. If you still need help you might want to hire a qualified trainer for a short long-term period. Now you should not go broke over the matter but you do need to make a significant investment in your health. I suggest you start with a few sessions to get acquainted with a trainer you think you might like to work with, and then purchase additional sessions if you're satisfied with their performance and credentials. Most clubs provide discounts for purchasing sessions in volume. You should plan on working with your trainer at least twice a week; any less than this would probably be a waste of money. You have to remember that hiring a trainer is an investment in your health and longevity. Your health is invaluable - just ask anyone who is severely sick what they would give to get their health back. Think of hiring a trainer this way - it is cheaper to pay the trainer, than it is to pay for a open-heart quadruple by-pass surgery.

All jokes aside, here's to your health in 2005. Cheers!