Document Your Progress

A long time ago I read that the best piece of equipment for you in a gym was a pencil. Hang on… What? A pencil is the best piece of equipment in a gym? Yep. Well, anything to record your progress really, but as I said this was a long time ago. Now you could use an app, like the one Power of One Fitness provides to document how you are doing over time, but the principle is the same.

The quote at the top of this newsletter (from one of my all time fitness heroes, Jack LaLanne – maybe more on him in a future newsletter), is so true. So many people have an idea that they’d like to “get in shape”, but have no real idea how to do it, or what “getting in shape” means or looks like, other than maybe a cover model from a magazine or a film star they admire.

Which is why it is key to try and understand your “Why”. Why do you want to get in shape?

And what will being in shape mean to you?

And what will that allow you to do?

And how will that affect your life?

Suddenly we are drilling down into the deeper “Why” of why you’d like to be fitter, leaner, stronger and healthier. Once we know that “Why” we can plan how to get you there; to get you towards that ultimate goal, while still wanting you to enjoy the process.

Part of that is doing exercises that you like doing, and dropping the ones that you don’t or that might cause an old injury to flare up.

Part of that is fitting the exercise plan around your life/work/family schedule.

But definitely the most important part, for me, is documenting the process.

Keeping records of your progress is vitally important, as it allows you to see how far you’ve come, while being able to celebrate all the small wins along the way. Each extra rep or added kilogram or extra second is progress and, in my book, needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. It also allows me to programme effectively for you, know when to change things up in your workout programming, when to push you and when to hold back.

Which is why, whether you are working out with me in person or using the Power of One Fitness app somewhere else in the world, there is the opportunity to log your progress against what has been prescribed. The same software is used for in-person and online training, so no matter which option you choose, your progress is logged in the same way.

So if you’d like to get in shape, but aren’t really sure how to go about it, please get in touch with me using this link or by clicking the gold button below this paragraph. I’d love to hear from you.