That little handheld device called a smartphone would be the obvious top contender here… However, let’s explore other reasons why you are potentially wasting your time at the gym and NOT getting the results you want.
- Not choosing your training buddy wisely – We should all know by now that you are the product of the 5 people you spend the most time with. If you exercise 3-4 times a week (or should I rephrase that to – if you go to the gym 3-4 times a week), that’s approximately 3-5 hrs a week with this training buddy. Does that put them in the category of the top 5? Most likely. If they simply go to the gym to gossip about what their Facebook friend said or some photo on Instagram then they are doing you a huge disservice. Find someone who is pumped and wants to get the job done with maximal effort and minimal fuss. There are plenty of other hours in the week for all the much-needed gossiping.
- Not being accountable to time – Time during your workout is a great tool that can be used in many different forms. It’s the best way to really stay accountable to your workout and have tangible evidence that you are actually improving. If time is not being used effectively then how do you really know if you’re getting stronger, fitter, faster? So, here are some simple ways that you can implement time for a more productive and effective workout:-
a) Time your rest periods – No slacking off and stealing a few extra seconds of rest. Stay true to yourself, set the standard and stick to it.
b) Time your working sets – Maybe record the amount of reps performed with a particular weight in an allocated time frame ie. Max push ups in 45sec.
c) Rounds for time – Maybe choose 3-5 exercises with a set number of reps for each and record how many rounds were performed in a specific time.
d) Calories or metres for time – Set yourself a distance or number of calories (most cardio equipment has this function) and record how long it takes to achieve what you planned.
There are many more variations in which time can be introduced for a productive workout but sometimes the simpler the better. So, let’s start using that wonderful piece of technology called a smartphone for its amazing stopwatch function… but refrain from jumping on social media.
- Machines – Yep, you guessed it! You know the ones… machines that have all these fancy cable and pulley systems with amazing upholstery that you can’t wait to sit on? Weight machines such as these dictate the movement and the path of that movement for us without many or any of your stabilising muscles being activated (you NEED these to be strong for everyday living). There aren’t many humans that have identical movement patterns due to their bone structure, however, these machines tell us that we’re all pretty much built the same and that the projected path is perfect just for you. Which is total BS! Finally, most of these pointless but beautifully crafted machines encourage you to sit… don’t we do enough of this all day, every day? Have you heard the phrase ‘sitting is the new smoking’? So instead, find yourself a gym with minimal equipment, one that chooses exercise and equipment that enhances and resembles everyday movement and activities.
Stop wasting time, time is the ONE thing you can NEVER get back. Start being productive with this valuable commodity.
Jason Clark – Co Founder Perform360