The New Year IS HERE!
and so are all the fitness fads and gimmicks
The new year season abounds with sale items that pray upon our resolution sentiment – and the primary sale item is exercise equipment. Just look through the store adds (Kohls, Sports Authority, Dicks Sporting Goods, Sears, Target, Walmart) and “great deals” are being offered on machines, bands, balls, “perfect” this and “power” that. But the only thing all these items have in common are:
1.They feature beautiful models.
2.The average buyer will use them for less than one month.
3.The models didn’t get into great shape using the equipment that will be used by the buyer for less than one month.
So, to “build a strong core”, “work your glutes”, do a “perfect push-up” and “power up for the new year”, bring the garbage equipment back to the store, put the money back into your bank account, and challenge yourself to simple body weight movements each day (body weight push-ups, sit-ups and squats). Add in a little self-control with respect to your diet, and you’ll achieve almost all of your fitness goals!
Fads and gimmicks are for the emotional buyer, and have nothing to do with lasting fitness. The ingredients required lasting fitness are a little bit of skill (check out any of the hundreds of CrossFit blogs and YouTube videos for information regarding how to do real push-ups, sit-ups and squats), and a LOT of self-discipline.
Now the question is, do you have self-discipline? It’s no secret that most people do not. They need a push! And if you are one of these people then use the money you’d spend on fads and gimmicks, and spend it on a legit and motivating community of athletes. There you will learn skills, develop your abilities, and help others when they choose to get involved.
So, get going, stay strong, lose the gimmicks and the excuses. Fit starts now.
~by Jeremy Lafreniere
By Jeremy