Three Steps to Avoiding the Exercise Trap

I spend a lot of time in swimming pools and gyms, a lot! I could probably make myself very unpopular in those environments were I to openly voice the one observation I continually make. Very few people are training effectively, if they are even doing anything purposeful towards their health or fitness goals. They are falling into what I call “the exercise trap”. So what is the difference between exercise and training? Exercise can simply be defined as any physical activity that raises the body’s metabolism beyond its basal rate. Training on the other hand is an organised activity designed to enhance a specific characteristic or characteristics of physical or mental performance.

Consistently successful people in all walks of life will always possess three qualities, and this is no different with athletes and coaches: they are goal orientated, process driven, and analytical. As Phelps and his coach, Bob Bowman, are fond of saying: “it all starts with a dream.” You then have to decide if that dream is achievable. If you first have a vision, then analyse where you are, then break up the path to your vision with achievable goals, you have every chance of succeeding. If you do not, you have only one: blind luck, a fickle mistress at best!

Everything you do in your training should be designed to take you closer to that vision. If it’s not, why are you doing it? Next time you hit the gym, or the road, or the pool, know your goals and use your processes to home in on them with laser precision. Then reflect on it, analyse it, and do it again. Yes, it seems a never ending cycle, but every time you complete the process you will grow as an athlete and person, and maybe you’ll need to dream bigger dreams!