In my 38 plus years operating Club Physical I’ve personally witnessed numerous health ‘transformations’, and I’ve also seen a number of quitters fail their New Year goals. So what is the key to success you immediately ask?
‘Stickability!’
You might not find the word ‘stickability’ in your Oxford Dictionary but it makes all the difference with winning or losing in life. Early on in my career I noticed that ‘plodder get results’; People who just ‘turn-up’ on a daily bases and go through their paces, at home, on the beach and in the gym. More-so, I’ve continually seen these results multiplied when the individual becomes part of an exercise class, or has a regular training buddy or benefits from a regular booked appointment with a Personal Trainer.
What about those benefits?
- Improved quality of life
Regular aerobic, strength and flexibility training will improve your overall health, help you to dodge or delay the diseases of aging, change your body composition, decrease your chronic pain and increase your physical capacity. How’s that for a start?
- Enhanced sense of psychological well-being
A recent position statement by the International Society of Sport Psychology lists exercise to improve self-confidence, relief of tension, lead to positive mood changes, decreased depression and anxiety, increased alertness and energy, reduced premenstrual tension, and the development of positive coping stratergies and increased enjoyment of social contacts.
- Decreased lower back pain
80% of Kiwis report chronic back pain at some time during their lives. The University of Florida has shown that after strength training your lower back is less prone to injury.
- Glucose metabolism improvement
A recent research study reported a 23% increase in glucose uptake at a cellular level after just four months of strength training/ Poor glucose metabolism has a high connection with adult onset diabetes.
- Arthritic pain decreases
Tuffs University reported that strength training can ease the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Osteoporosis
Numerous clinical studies have proven the value of weight-bearing exercise. This reduces bone loss and even reverses it in many cases!
- Obesity
While exercise is not the sole answer to the complex issue of obesity, it is a positive factor in increasing your body’s metabolism. This speeds up your fat-burning.
- Heart disease
Coronary Heart Disease is a leading cause of death in New Zealand. A recent review of more than forty studies shows that sedentary individuals have TWICE the risk as physically active people.
- Longevity
A landmark study of 17,000 Harvard Alumni followed over sixteen years, showed those who expended at least 2,000 calories exercising on a weekly basis, extending their lives by one to two years!
That fact that I personally experienced a wonderful improvement to my quality of life when I joined my first health club at the age of 29 is an understatement. I was totally overwhelmed and fascinated by it. I loved it so much that, within months, I knew that I would have to make it my career to help others like YOU feel the same!
Results don’t happen overnight. But if you become determined not to quit, to set bite sized goals; To join in with others and to be consistent, I can guarantee that you will experience life changing benefits. Best wishes for 2020.
Paul – founder of Club Physical. Team member of Nature Pro
