There’s not enough time!

Why it’s hard to commit to yourself

“Having Time” has become a popular reason for people avoiding starting an exercise routine. Humans are conditioned to predict outcomes. When we feel unprepared we are less likely to take action. The modern busy American may be able to say their goals, hopes, and visualized outcomes, but still struggle to take the first step towards achieving those outcomes. 

More is better, right?

If you have the impression that “more training drives more results,” then we want to apply some context to that belief. “More,” doesn’t have to mean 1-2 hour long sessions.

More means consistency. A 5 hour session will never be better than five, 1-hour sessions. 

What is important is what takes place in each session and the level of intensity and focus placed on the session. 

Let’s define intensity: 

With the correct intensity, a beneficial training session can be 30-45 minutes for beginners to intermediates. This pertains to the individuals goals, respectively. If you want to run a marathon, you will have to commit to longer sessions because goal consists of a long physical activity. 

For most people, understanding how to create ‘Mechanical Tension’ (solid muscle contraction) would be the best and fastest way to see physical changes. 

What is Mechanical tension?

Simply put, if you can maximize the amount of MT you create, you Will develop lean muscle. When it comes to weight, see how intense you can make 15# feel before jumping to 30#. Going through the ROM without adequate tension won’t elicit as much physical changed as a focused set of reps. Once that weight, the 15#, no longer is a viable weight to create muscle fatigue, increase the load. 

This creates better efficiency of time used x time of physical change. It will also assist in motor unit recruitment for beginners to intermediates who may have trouble connecting the “feel” aspect of training. 

If you’re wondering about getting stronger, yes this can help you increase strength. After a few months, you will have developed a solid foundation of muscle endurance to support specific strength training. Which means you are more aware of the muscles being used, the weights you may want to try, and you will have an understanding of what kind of intensity is required. 

With this knowledge and awareness you can manage your time in the gym better and truly maximize your sessions. If you can’t afford a trainer, there are online coaches who can program for you. If those coaches are out of your budget, there are cheaper group based programs. 

If you use a good personal trainer, good meaning they teach you how to move, you will have eyes on your movement and will (should depending on the quality of the trainer) see fastest results. An online coach who programs specifically for you and your goals would be the next fastest means of seeing results. 

All in all, I believe in a circular means of training mindset. 

1. Consistency - show up every day you are supposed to

2. Persistence - Set a goal and keep that as the fore front of the training 

3. Adherence - Find a program and fully commit to it. 

With those 3, you will show up (consistency) even when you don’t want to because you have a goal you want to achieve (persistence) and you trust the person/company to help you reach your goal so you do what is expected (adherence).