We’re no experts on keeping fit (the temptation to skip the gym is too real), so we brought pro trainers from TripleFit to provide much-needed motivation. It’s all about those #fitnessgoals...
Before you lose any more motivation to stick to your New Year’s resolution to stay active, we enlisted the experts to share their tips on keeping fit – meet coaches Cheryl and Yiren from the Triplefit family! Whether you wanna tone up that belly or make gains on your ‘ceps, these tips will help you stay on track…
What’s your advice on setting realistic fitness goals?
YR: Start small and really think realistically. Small progress is still progress. I think people often aim way too high and give up when they don’t achieve their goals.
C: Make use of the standard goal-setting rule: Be S.M.A.R.T!
Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? The more specific your description of your goal, the higher the chances of working towards it and actually achieving it.
Measurable: Break your goal down into measurable elements – how are you gonna achieve it? For example, how many days per week you are going to the gym?
Attainable/ Achievable: A goal to lose 15kg in a month is not realistic. The last thing you want is to set an unrealistic goal, fail to achieve it, and lose motivation and drive.
Relevant: Is your goal relevant to you and your life? What is the objective behind the goal?
Time-bound: Set deadlines and keep the timeline realistic. Deadlines are what makes people take action.
If you’re just getting back into your fitness routine, what kind of classes are ideal?
YR: Fundamental classes where it’s easier to follow along and manage your pace while doing it. Such as Calisthenics, Jump-In, TRX Gravity.
C: Avoid high-intensity and high-impact classes to prevent injuries and avoid physical fatigue which may result in loss of motivation and drive. Go for movement-based or basic classes in gyms such as Movement Clinic at TripleFit to learn the fundamentals of lifting, postural work, and strengthen core to prevent injuries before moving into high-impact and high-intensity classes.
What really works to build a new habit and make a fitness routine stick?
YR: Being consistent with your fitness routine and don’t give yourself excuses. Even if you don’t feel like it, just show up and get the work done. It’s really about how much you want it.
C: Goal-setting is the first step, but most people drop out after a couple of weeks. Some days, even the strongest and the fittest athlete will lose motivation and drive and be lazy to get to the gym. But those who push pass this phase are the ones who make this new fitness lifestyle a routine. Be disciplined and make working out a routine, just like how going to work every day is a routine, even though on some days (or most days) you don’t feel like getting to work!
What advice do you give your clients to keep them motivated when they want to give up?
YR: Remind them why they started in the first place. Just stick to the program and let the results do the talking.
C: It will be difficult. It will be tiring. But if it was easy, everyone will be doing it. And before you give up, remember why you started.
This post is in partnership with Triplefit.