“I’m trying not to get old,” Nero responded after I asked how he was doing at the beginning of his training session. Nero is one of our veteran personal training clients with an animated sense of humor who uses physical activity as a key tool to empower his life. As a gentleman in his early seventies and a lifelong endurance athlete, Nero takes his fitness seriously. A few compression fractures in his spine, a hip replacement, and the need to consistently manage symptoms of vertigo are just some of the reasons he adheres to a structured fitness program. Attending strength and conditioning sessions with our coaching staff helps him maintain physical strength, slow the progression of arthritis and osteoporosis, and support his body’s overall physiological function. Most importantly, it’s fun for him.
“The doc says I’m getting old,” Nero mentioned. After joking that he wanted to slap his doctor, who is half his age and doesn’t have to manage the same age-related challenges, Nero added, “The doc also said a good way to manage the aging of my body is to include variety in my physical activities.” Little did he know, Nero was already doing exactly that. He attends strength and conditioning sessions twice per week, follows a customized exercise routine with his fitness coaches, bikes twenty to thirty miles per week, plays golf two to three times weekly, walks with his wife as often as possible, and tends to his vegetable and flower garden. These activities are a prime example of how to build variety into a lifestyle.
It should go without saying that a safe and effective resistance training routine strengthens bones, improves functional strength, and reduces the risk of metabolic disease. However, hitting the gym, meeting with your favorite personal trainer, or attending a Yoga or Pilates class is only a small portion of what creates an “insurance policy” for the body to stay happy, healthy, and strong for years to come.
Ensuring there is something new and exciting creates anticipation and an “I can’t wait” stimulus. When we have something to look forward to, the likelihood of participating increases. While consistent daily maintenance routines such as getting your steps in, managing calorie intake, or taking daily vitamins are important, purposely avoiding monotonous physical activity and prioritizing a variety of engaging and energizing movement options creates an environment that supports physiological, psychological, and emotional lifetime fitness benefits.
Having a gym membership is beneficial. However, if that is the only component supporting exercise, it can become repetitive. Imagine if we had just one TV channel that played the same episode of Lost over and over. Or if our phones had only one game, it would probably be Candy Crush Saga. We would likely get bored quickly and step away. The same can happen with exercise when variety is lacking.
To reduce the likelihood of skipping workouts when motivation dips, take time to explore which physical activities create excitement. Invite someone to join you, try recreational activities such as pickleball, bocce ball, or golf, or map out outdoor walking paths with different sights and sounds. While it’s important to focus on the physiological benefits of exercise, maintaining a consistent practice of engaging the mind through a variety of physical activities builds a strong foundation for lifelong fitness.
Sean McCawley, the founder and owner of Napa Tenacious Fitness in Napa, CA, welcomes questions and comments. Reach him at 707-287-2727, napatenacious@gmail.com, or visit the website napatenaciousfitness.com.