How much willpower do you have?

A lot of people tend to think that trainers are this weird group of people who like nothing better than to spend all their free time in the gym.

I've got news for you. That's often the case.

But, I'm not most trainers.

Like most everyone else, I have people I want to keep up with, things I want to do, and on top of that I like going out and doing physical stuff like playing sports or taking classes at aikido. Which means I'm pressed for time, and I don't want to spend my days too sore to move. (That will be the subject for another post)

The last few weeks have seen a few changes to my schedule and I've been struggling to consistently get in three quality days of resistance training. Not every day has to be super hard, but I have to balance the demands of my schedule, along with saving energy so that I can have a good aikido class later on.

The point is to find times and environments that work well, so it doesn't feel like you're beating your head against a wall every time you work out. Take steps ahead of time (IE eating, drinking enough water, getting enough sleep) so that when you do have a good time slot, you can get in a good training session and not have it feel like it's a job.

For the last few weeks I've worked out in the afternoon on Fridays and it's killed me. I drag through it, I feel mentally run down, and then later it takes a lot to get me out of the house. So I'm making a couple of changes. I'm making sure that I'm hydrated and that I've had enough to eat that morning so that I can knock it out at 11AM. (I start early and that's my first break in the day) It's just that simple.

Maybe for you that means recording your shows and going to bed at 10PM so that you can get in a training session before work. Or mixing up your routine. Or trying a new class. Like the ones I teach. :) (Hey, I had to throw in a promotion somewhere!)
The point is that every workout shouldn't be overly taxing on your will power. You only have so much of it.

You know what works and what doesn't, and hopefully I've sparked some ideas for you.

Best,
Charlie

Is your gut telling you something?

No, not that gut.

Your intuition, your gut feelings.

Years ago I started feeling really uneasy going to the gym. I didn't know any better, but I kept going, and pushing myself through workouts I didn't like in an environment I didn't like and I paid for it by running myself down pretty badly. (This was in addition to going to school, working 20 hours a week, and trying to do everything else in between on 6 hours of sleep a night.)

I paid for it by continuing that habit of not listening to my gut, just telling myself to "cowboy up" and ignore that voice, and going to work at a place that sucked the life out of me. The examples abound, and I'm determined not to let that trend continue.

This summer I stopped training at the gym where I worked. It has all the cool toys, but I couldn't make myself be there any more than I absolutely had to. Instead, I bought a few kettlebells and a few weights and worked out in my driveway or at a soccer field. If something or someplace felt "off" I paid attention to that and made changes accordingly.

I still wanted to train hard, but I had to find a different environment.

Maybe you can relate to that.

One place that has always felt like a great training environment is Aikido of Cincinnati (pictured below), and I am extremely grateful to be able to teach classes there in the morning.



Doesn't the dojo kind of look like the training program from The Matrix?

If you want to work hard and get out of the gym, if you want to get in a workout that gets you results in half the time of traditional training, then stop by and check out my classes.

Class Schedule and Location

Monday
6:30 -7:15AM Bootcamp
8:00 -8:45AM Pilates Fusion

Wednesday
6:30 -7:15AM Bootcamp

Friday
11 to 11:45AM Bootcamp (for the month of December 2009)

Bootcamp:
A mix of dynamic flexibility, strength and interval work. Each group of 3 to 8 exercises takes about 3 to 5 minutes to perform, with a minute of rest between rounds. This workout is hard and can be adapted up or down depending on your fitness level. You’ll get results and still be able to get through your work day.


Pilates Fusion:
A mix of Pilates, yoga, and strength. Fill in the gaps left by traditional workout routines. No reformer, no funny breathing, no excuses.

Location:
Aikido of Cincinnati
4727 Red Bank Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227
513 561-7202

Click here for a map