Articles

Philosophy, Opinion, Results and Suggestions

By: Rob Gareau - Performance Institute

Lately I have been answering many questions about how to get in better shape, or to excel to the next level of performance. The answer is consistency . People always try to get that little bit of free advice from trainers by asking questions in passing. One of the most frequent is, "How do I get strong abs?" The answer they always get from me is consistency. I'm sure people expect me to show them some secret exercise we trainers keep to ourselves, but I hope they understand the message I'm offering.

I can have the best program laid out for people, but if people don't show up it doesn't matter. Of all the athletes, patients and clients I've trained over the years it's the constant ones who go the furthest. Through training those people I've learned a few practical habits which helped me go further with my own training. I have also learned it is the constant clients who make the most gains in performance and reaching their fitness goals.

When setting up my appointments with the consistent ones they usually tell me when we have to meet. "Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 AM" is something that they would say. This means they have put their training time into their schedule and planned it as any other appointment for work. Work appointments are seldom missed, neither are their training sessions.

They also budget enough time to get to the gym with proper nutrition, sleep, and energy. Even though, every now an then they rush into the gym with one sock on. They book their schedule so they have enough time to get to the gym, and warm up. They sleep and eat right the night before. When I greet them to get a session going it is obvious, they are ready to train.

From the words above it is clear that the consistent clients attain consistency throughout their lifestyle. As a trainer, the biggest challenge is to train people to have their lifestyles and goals in line. The most successful athletes and clients live their lives consistently in line with their goals and aspirations. Their lives do not revolve around their training and practice schedules. Rather, their schedules are organized so all the things they enjoy are engaged in a balanced fashion. For instance, if they have a social engagement they want to catch on Friday night, they schedule to train later on Saturday and leave at an appropriate time Friday night to get enough rest. I've noticed our most successful clients have a lot of fun, but their fun is a reward for their hard work. They tell me it's more fun that way.

Some practical hints to becoming a successful, consistent client:

•  Schedule your training sessions as appointments that are always attended and well prepared for.

•  Look at your schedule for the previous day and see how it will allow for proper nutrition and rest

•  Keep your training schedule consistent from day-to-day and week-to-week. If you know, you always train Wednesday at 5:00 you are less likely to agree to dinner with a friend at the same time.

•  When you do have a bad training session, think about what happened before you trained. Look at your rest, nutrition, and stress levels first and the answer is usually there.

•  If you are tired or do not feel like training, push yourself the hardest on those days, for they are the best opportunities to move to a higher level.

It's the "consistent ones" that challenge me and allow me to enjoy my work the most. I have seen mediocre athletes train to be national team members. I have seen a woman who was told by her doctor she would never work another day in her life, finish a triathlon. None of them could have reached these feats without being consistent with their training attendance and effort. How do you loose weight you want to loose, get stronger, run faster, or finish the marathon?

Consistency

" The race doesn't go to the fast, but the one who keeps running."