Fitness And Exercise Systems
The Role Self Knowledge Plays In Determining Training Results
Commercial fitness products are sold to the public all the time, but does one item work for everybody? That depends on which body you're talking about.
There is a fitness solution for every body and it works every time.
Selecting A Fitness System
Myriads of fitness systems are marketed everyday along with claims that often sound too good to be true. For example, several popular systems on-market with hyped claims include:
- Slimming body massagers
- Infrared sauna blankets
- Grapefruit diet
- Slimming waist belts
- Beverly Hills diet
- Electrical muscle stimulators
- Hip and thigh sculptors
- The fat blocker diet
These and many other highly marketed systems tend to make one point clear. Average trainees deciding on which fitness solution works best could become easily confused.
Additionally, some fitness systems are expensive. It’s easy to spend hundreds of dollars on units like body massagers or similar products. That’s a substantial price for items that may or may not produce noteworthy results.
This isn’t to say no commercially-hyped system works. Some produce magnificent results. But the question is which ones?
Understanding Exercise Processes
To unravel the ultimate fitness experience, trainees should first become familiar with the Principle of Individual Differences. This principle states that most any exercise stimulus can produce fitness adaptations, but the rate and magnitude of change differs according to genetic predisposition.
In other words, individuals working with similar fitness systems achieve different results based upon DNA, which translates into various fitness systems work for some people and not for others partly due to genetics.
Realizing individual differences exist relative to exercise progress shouldn’t discourage people from experiencing the fitness systems they like best. Varying degrees of physical and physiological adaptations can occur for anyone who trains regularly.
However, genetic differences are a reality and average trainees should realize they may never become elite athletes, bodybuilders or fitness models regardless of the system followed. High levels of fitness success depend on the genes.
Training That Works For You
When searching for the ultimate fitness solution it pays to be SMART. The acronym is applicable to goal setting. It means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time sensitive.
Specific refers to pinpointing one's goals. Trainees should ask whether specific systems are specific to personal objectives. Just because a fitness superstar endorses a particular fitness product does not mean it's best for everyone.
Next, does the system offer benefits that are Measurable in terms of change? The inability to measure changes over time may indicate the fitness solution does not work for you.
Is the promised benefit from the product Achievable? For example, a trainee becomes sold on the idea of purchasing an expensive in-home training system with hopes of obtaining a body like his favorite athlete. Because genetic predisposition has more to do with final results than the equipment does, such purchases might prove futile.
Moreover, many fitness systems are not Realistic for everybody. Take fad diets for example. Even though some fad-diet programs stretch logic, many people religiously adhere to such programs year after year.
Weight loss is a process best achieved through small increments and sensible meal planning. Loosing weight too quickly might create nutrient deficiency or imbalance, illness, disease, loss of lean body tissue and additional weight gain!
Trainees should also have Time objectives in mind when considering one fitness system over another. Results should be obtainable, but within a reasonable time-frame.
Best Fitness Solution
The system that works best is the one that gets results, meets goals over a reasonable time, motivates, inspires, fits into lifestyles, improves health, is safe, realistic, enjoyable, backed by science and is best suited to your preferences and genetics. With a little knowledge of self, trainees can find exercise and fitness solutions that work best for them.
Related articles: Fitness Trends in the New Year and Build Your Own Diet
References:
Addleman F. (1984). Weight Control. The Winning Edge: Nutrition for Athletic Fitness and Performance, 127-169
Hatfield F. (2004). Training Principles. Fitness the Complete Guide, 391- 407.
Kaplan, P. & Calabrese K. (2005). Personal Fitness Coaching: Remote Control for the Personal Trainer. [Power Point Presentation]. Carpinteria, CA: International Sports Sciences Association.
Thornton E. (2001). Your Client's Success Comes First. It's More than Making Them Sweat: A Career Training Guide for Personal Fitness Trainers, 11-23.
