One size doesn't fit all

With the recent press relating to Celebrity Fitness DVDs it has raised some interesting questions about the ethics behind the way that they are sold. Often advertised as quick home workouts that will turn you from a size 16 into a size 6 just like the stars but the reality is very different. These workouts are often combined with a crash diet and a few extra hours in the gym each day to achieve the results but that’s not to say that they don’t have their uses.

Encouraging anyone to do exercise is a great thing and if that person finds home workouts achievable around their daily routine then who are we to say they’re no good? They may be better for mums who don’t have the time or inclination to get to the gym, where in contrast, a gym workout before work might suit someone on shift work. My point is that no one way of exercising is right for everyone and you have to find what works for you.

As a Personal Trainer, I try to tailor sessions around the needs of my client – where are their problem areas, do they have pre-existing injuries that we need to work around, what is their end goal? If I gave everyone the same programme I would have some very unhappy customers. When you are trying to decide on the right exercise routine for you consider the following:

• What do you want to achieve – weight loss? Increase in fitness? Muscle tone?

• What time do you have to give? Can you make more time to achieve your goals?

• What do you enjoy? The gym? Running? Climbing? Swimming? How can you incorporate these into your routine to encourage you to go further?

One last thing, don’t compare what you are doing to someone else. Our bodies are different, they will respond in different ways in different times so don’t put yourself under pressure. Focus on you and reaching your goal not trying to meet everyone else’s.

Next month I will be looking at how nutrition and diet should be approached in the same way.