Make training goals instead of resolutions

Well, it’s that time of year when people around the world make resolutions for the new year.

For many people, the resolution is to lose weight or get in shape.

So, they will join a gym or perhaps get a new piece of fitness equipment.

For the next few weeks they will religiously head to the gym or get on their fancy new piece of equipment and work out.

And then all of a sudden, life throws them a curveball and they stop.

Or perhaps, they don’t experience any progress and they get frustrated, so they stop.

No matter the issue, many people stop going to the gym or working out after a month or two, and ultimately end up where they started.

With that in mind I suggest a different approach.

For the minority of us, training is one of our top priorities.  For me personally, my daily schedule revolves around my time in my garage gym.

Training for what you ask?

Well, for some, it’s training to improve our time running a 5K or complete a bike or swimming race within a certain time.

For others, it’s training to improve our deadlift PR from 300 to 350 pounds.

And for still others, it’s training to increase our maximum number of chin ups from 5 to 10 reps.

We may also put a time frame around these goals.

So perhaps I want to get my chin ups from 5 reps to 10 reps by July 1st.

With these goals in mind, we set up a training program that will help us achieve these goals.

By setting these types of goals within time parameters, we are less likely to deviate from our training program.

I really like the goals of running a 5K in a certain time or getting my chin ups from 5 to 10 reps, because these goals also imply the need to maintain weight at a certain level.

It’s much easier to run faster and further or do chin ups if you are not carrying extra weight.

And, if you combine some sort of cardio endurance goal with a strength goal (admittedly more difficult to achieve, so you may need to split your programming to focus on one or the other for a few months, then switch), you will be better off overall.

On the other hand, getting your deadlift PR from 300 to 350 pounds is just an act of pure strength.  Body weight will not impede performance, so there may not be as much incentive to keep the weight in check if needed.

I think it is also helpful to have an activity outside of your fitness program that will benefit greatly from being in better shape.

There are two activities I’ve pursued in my life where improved strength, conditioning and mobility could help improve my performance… kung fu and golf.

Obviously, time management becomes an issue.

If you are a parent of young children and have a full-time job, then it is very difficult to fit in all of these activities during the week.

Therefore, you’ll need to program and prioritize accordingly.

Believe it or not, it IS possible to improve your strength and conditioning in 30 minutes per day, five days per week.

I’ll write about that in a couple days.

Until then, Happy New Year!