WHERE ARE WE GOING WRONG?



 

Fitness is broadly defined as the state of being physically and mentally capable of undertaking daily routines with ease. This can be diversified into health related components and skill related components. Health related components are the fundamentals that create the foundational base of any fitness journey. They constitute of five aspects:

  • Cardiovascular endurance - which is the ability of the heart, lungs and blood vessels to deliver sufficient blood to the body tissue during prolonged activities like running. 
  • Muscular strength - it is the maximum amount of force a muscle/group of muscle can exert against resistance. This comes into play during resistance/weight training.
  • Muscular endurance -  is the ability of a muscle/group of muscle to perform repeated contractions over a given period of time. When doing a sit up or a push up the upper body muscles are under this state. 
  • Flexibility - it's the ability of the tissue (muscle, ligaments and tendons) to move through a full range of motion. Stretches come in handy to ensure this. 

  • Body composition - it is the ratio between fat mass and fat-free mass. In terms of longevity, this goes a long way unlike relying on BMI.


Skill related components are additives that help improve on athletic and physical performance. They constitute of six aspects:

  • Agility -The ability to rapidly and accurately change the direction of the body.

  • Balance - The ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary or moving.
  • Coordination - The ability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently.
  • Power - The ability to exert maximum force in a short period of time.
  • Reaction Time - The time it takes to respond to a stimulus.
  • Speed - The ability to move quickly across the ground or move limbs rapidly to grab or throw.


These are the key areas that really matter in regards to longevity and sustainability.
Is social media doing more damage than good?


Nowadays, the shift seems to be on anything that can gather attention and likes on social media. The chase of this dopamine is so immense to an extent that people are willing to give up their health and wellness for it. Increase in scientific data and experts in the field has helped take fitness to the next level. As a by-product, a lot of prejudice has also creeped in making it among the most controversial industries out there.  


Where are we going wrong?

1. Lack of regulations and standards.

Is an appealing physique really enough to call oneself a fitness trainer? Is the number of titles won in bodybuilding/athletic competitions really enough to identify one as an elite trainer?
Sharing a few tips concerning different aspects based on experience at this point won't hurt. Shoveling wrong information and concepts down clients' throat based on one's experiences creates a lot of doubt. Most times it the jacked guys who seem to know it all unlike the average/skinny guy who is more than qualified for the job. Analysing this gives insights as to why social media nowadays is based on looks and dominance. 
Having guidelines either from a local or international body on which direction the industry should take will help eliminate biased situations.
2. Elitism and social media.
Is it all a bed of roses as portrayed  by most of these fitness influencers? Is it possible for someone to always be motivated by looking forward to every training sessions?
You and I know the answer. Most times we get caught up to this narrative which often leads to body dysmorphia, thinking that everyone else is kicking it apart from you. 


The idea of being "fit or jacked or looking glamorous" boils down to perception. If all the criteria of the basic fundamentals of fitness haven't been met, then there is some work to do. I strongly believe, all these perceptions are based on comparison which is the killer of all joy. There is more to life apart from all these. Finding a balance and what works best for you will be sustainable in the long run.
3. Overemphasis on aesthetics.
It goes without saying of how important results and complements helps to keep us motivated. Looking at this in a different perspective, it all boils down to longevity especially for regular guys who want to stay fit. Looking lean and shredded often is backed up by a lot of science properly understood by gym bros and some gym rats. Looking crisps, lean and mean attracts more attention but is it really the main goal? 

Diverting that attention to staying healthy and fit for most people will help lower the temptations of indulging in unnecessary situations that might be detrimental. What if all you need was build some strength, work on your flexibility and improve cardiovascular state, how easy would that be? How sustainable would that be?

"Tips of losing fat in 10 days, Get crispy abs in 2 weeks" are just some of the appealing terms used in the fitness industry nowadays to lure innocent people into buying useless programs. The biggest question everyone tempted to make such a move should be asking is, if it took them 10 years to accumulate such a pot belly, how can a 2 weeks program get rid of it. Some might argue that it's possible through detox but how sustainable is it? 
It's about time we come into terms with reality of certain things. The rule of thumb to lose weight is being on a calorie deficit. There is nothing like spot reduction where one decides on which body part to lose fat. This insight will come in handy when presented with such appealing tips.
5. Ignoring mental health.
The more experience you have the easier it is to maneuver through the key fundamentals of nutrition and training.

Most times we get caught up with the routine hence forgetting our mental state in regards to the stress and demands that accumulate from the high levels of training. This gives insights as to why it's easy for certain situations to take a toll on elite athletes leading to frustrations and depression. Taking note of our mental reaction to every situation will be key. This will help make right decisions on which route to take and avoid scenarios that might jeopardize it.
6. Neglecting education and lifelong learning. 
Never stop learning.

Trainer, coaches and fitness enthusiast never stop learning! The science based fitness keeps evolving and this overshadows what was taught sometime back. Learning the current trends based on science type of training, nutrition and recovery will help elevate anyone fitness levels.
It's about time we quite the bro science approach and invest time and resource to our craft.
7. The "No pain No gain" myth.
Pain isn't really a badge of honour. It's a signal. Pushing through injuries or extreme discomfort isn't heroic, it's recklessness.
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Lets promote smart training, recovery and listening to our bodies. If your goal is based on fitness purposes only, a smart approach would make it sustainable even at old age. Being cautious on every approach for elite athletes and bodybuilders will help prevent any unwanted setbacks.
8. Cookie-cutter programs. 
This is why fitness assessment should always be prioritized before getting into a program. This will highlight on an individual's strength and weakness and create a great foundation for a start. Everyone is different and so should be their programs. Buying programs from online fitness influencers isn't a guarantee to the best physique or fitness status there is. Hiring a personal trainer for a start to equip you with proper basics would be 10 times beneficial that downloading crap programs that you barely understand.
9. Inclusivity and diversity. 
There shouldn't be any restrictions when it comes to overall fitness. Everyone has the right to indulge in whatsoever their interest are. This could be crossfit, bodybuilding or other athletic ventures as long as the fundamentals of sustainability and longevity are in check.
10 Alway remember to have fun.

Fitness isn't a punishment. It should be something we all look forward to in regards to the benefit and the immediate feeling experienced after a great workout. Being cognizant of the awaiting challenges and appreciating the experience will ease the baggage. Being open minded to trying out other fun fitness-related activities like going for a hike, group classes etc will keep us motivated and excited when such opportunities come forth. 






So where did we go wrong?
I guess it's not about pointing fingers but about course-correcting. If we start by lifting each other up literally and metaphorically, then the industry will surely thrive.  









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