It can loom and linger behind every workout.
Knowledge is the foundation of fitness and the best insurance against fitness fads and scams.
Explore the topics listed below in my fitness education blog.
Two people starting the same exercise program at the same time will notice that different workloads are needed to create the desired overload. One person may then adapt more quickly and show greater improvements over the same time period. Such variations are completely normal based on their starting fitness level, tolerance of effort, genetic differences and variations in lifestyle.
There is no single workout that will work for every body, appeal to every person, and fit every schedule. Personal preference is a valid and important consideration when designing an exercise program.
Especially because you will be more motivated to stick with a program that you enjoy. Long term motivation is critical because compliance is the biggest obstacle to fitness. People often give up on their fitness routine before it has a chance to work.
It is sad but true that quitting is the #1 trend in fitness.
In fitness, failure is the norm. This has been well documented in scientific studies for decades. The most commonly cited statistic is a 50% dropout rate by six months into an exercise program.
So how do you avoid becoming a statistic?
The principle of individual differences applies to adherence as much as any other part of fitness planning. Here are a 5 tips to help you customize your program to your needs:
Wellness programs have been part of some business models for decades and the trend has grown to the level where 85% of large companies offer wellness programs to their employees, according to a 2017 survey from Kaiser. The corporate wellness industry that provides wellness programs to companies of all sizes has increased annual revenue to $7 billion and is expected to grow further at a rate of 0.6% according to IBISWorld.
Wellness programs vary by company and include a range of services. Some offer employee assistance programs and general health promotion information while others focus on disease management for employees dealing with chronic illnesses (i.e. diabetes, heart disease, obesity). Educational workshops may be provided to employees on topics such as smoking cessation, weight management and stress reduction.
On-site medical and/or fitness facilities offer a convenience to employees that reduces barriers to health behaviors such as exercise, health screening and medical treatment while also decreasing time away from work for outside appointments. Without a dedicated facility, companies may offer on-site health and fitness classes led by certified instructors. Online coaching and hotlines for medical assistance are also available.
Companies often incentivize participation with financial rewards (i.e. lower health insurance premium contributions) and contests that bring people together and add a fun social element to the program.
Companies are primarily motivated by employee productivity and the rising cost of health care. They invest in their employees to lower health care costs and absenteeism, to bolster productivity and morale and also to recruit and retain talent. A 2010 article in the Harvard Business Review listed positive outcomes from several different company wellness initiatives:
In addition to the evidence-based results, businesses leaders see wellness as the right thing to do, vital to their strategic planning and necessary for employee development and productivity.
Many successes in worksite wellness have been celebrated and emulated, but the challenge of engagement persists. A 2011 report from the ADP Institute listed participation rates of 39% and 51% for large and medium-sized companies.
The value of wellness programs has been shown, and is often defined, at the company level. Companies study the demographics of employees, survey them about topics of interest, design effective marketing campaigns and offer incentives for participation. Return on investment, health care costs and employee engagement are key metrics. The best corporate programs build wellness into their business culture and communicate messages effectively.
This makes a lot of sense from the organizational perspective. Businesses must develop strategies, allocate resources and measure outcomes. Data points, opinions, actions and dollars may be assessed in aggregate, but lost in this conversation, however, is the perspective of the employee. As someone who has managed corporate fitness programs and worked with clients and members from a variety of professional backgrounds, my instinct is to think about the individuals that make up these reports.
Talk to the wellness or benefits team at your company about how you can improve your health, fitness and wellness. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Prioritize one area your want to change and set a realistic goal. Create a 12-week program and track your progress on a weekly and monthly basis. Consult a professional about where to begin and how to progress. Continue the process with new goals and plans.
Employees and companies are in the distinct position of being able to promote health and wellness at their worksites. Reports show that employee wellness programs consistently yield a positive return on investment. That’s one thing we can all support – individually and collectively.
Maybe it’s just a matter of semantics but I cringe when I hear the phrase “muscle toning.” Although it is extremely common, the word “tone” has no meaning in fitness.
Fit muscles have strength and endurance. Athletic performance also includes power. However, there is no state of muscular fitness even alluding to “tone.”
How can “muscle toning” be a myth if there are so many classes, books and blogs on the subject? How can all the trainers, instructors and writers be wrong? The myth in “muscle toning” is the suggestion that exercise can make your muscles tight and firm. This is completely false. Unfit muscles are not loose or flabby and they do not shrink with exercise. They grow.
Some people shy away from muscle growth because they see images of body builders pumped up on steroids. But those men and women train for hours a day at extreme intensities and their results are determined by genetics as well as the use of supplements. They are the exception rather than the rule. For most people, muscle building means a modest increase.
It is better to think of toning your body through muscle building and fat loss. Avoid under-training with exercise programs designed to “tone but not build.” You know better now.
