What Are You Training For?

What does the question “What are you training for?” make you think of? Since a personal training, fitness, and Pilates teacher is asking, I would probably answer with a physical goal. But when I asked the question on social media recently, I was pleasantly surprised with the answers I got. 

Yes, there were the physical goals, which are always worth it. But I loved even more that several people answered that they are “Training for life!” They simply want to be active, and enjoy life with their family and friends. That is a goal I can get behind. 

Functional strength training, conditioning, and pilates are AMAZING ways to train for life. These types of exercises will give you:

• Overall full body strength (including core)
• Better balance
• Improved mobility
• Increased flexibility
• Awareness of how you move

With the combined benefits of this “foundation”, you will move through your days with more ease, and less pain and fatigue. We all work during our days, whether that is at a job, volunteering, housekeeping, or caring for others. How great would it be if you had more energy for your many jobs? Or better still, if you had energy when you were finished them? 

How to Start Training for Life

Starting something new can be intimidating. The easiest way? Just get started! You don’t have to wait until Monday, or the start of the month, or anything. Aim for a little bit each day. Consistency is key. By doing even the smallest thing every day, the action will soon become a routine. Taking care of yourself will just become something that you do. 

Read More: The Easy Way to Create a Fitness Routine

Soon, fitness will no longer feel like a chore, but part of your everyday routine. Progress will happen a little bit at a time, and you may even start to set bigger physical activity goals for yourself.  

One of my favourite parts of my job is hearing clients tell me the little things they are noticing after working with me as their coach or teacher. It’s how they feel during their day, that their back doesn’t hurt after vacuuming, or their balance was better and their legs didn’t hurt the last time they went skiing. 

And yes, it is always awesome to hear my clients setting physical goals that they had never imagined. When you feel stronger and more energized, the idea of taking up golf, running a 10km race, or riding a 100+ km GranFondo might seem possible. While these goals are challenging ones, they will feel more easy to achieve than when you were tired, weak, and unfit. 

So the next time someone asks you, “What are you training for?”, or you are wondering why you should start training in the first place, remember that it’s for you. So that you can lead your best life, and accomplish and experience great things.