Enjoyment in S.A.F.E Training
Our training methodology of S.A.F.E (Safe – Affordable-Functional-Enjoyable) is our guiding principle when preparing and conducting any session or program. This week I am going to skip the Affordable and Functional aspects – more of those later. But after a great week of exercise and seeing the joy people get from moving for their better health …. I would like to chat about Enjoyable training.
So why do people dread getting their heart rate up and moving their bodies? Our comfort zones can be damn comfortable can’t they? And there is no better time to love that Comfort Zone than winter! It is normal … but our challenge is to look for the positives outside of that nice space!
I have been in fortunate enough to receive positive energy from exercising this week from so many ‘energy donors’. We will start with Irene … a young lady who has lost 50 kg – over a sustainable period of time … no, this is not an ad for Biggest Loser who promote unsustainable weight loss. This was an achievable change of lifestyle choice through exercise and life decisions. Her infectious enjoyment came from her results but was equally happy to see others on the same path as she came up to our Thursday group to provide inspiration!
Then to one of our training partners who was happy on Friday to be able to try a couple of new ‘moves’. Not something you would see in the ‘Exercise’ encyclopedia or in a Michelle Bridges article … but a challenging set of moves engaging the important, functional muscles, in ways we do not normally try and was put together from a trainer and mentor that provides energy, ideas and inspiration to WSSC. We did share some laughs from the attempts on our way to (our version of) success.
Later in the week we enjoyed time with a couple of new comers … who learned how to lift & move safely for strength endurance in the group environment. They left a wet, cold night with a smile – a sure sign of enjoyment!
There are many other examples from the great groups of people we get to coach and work with on a weekly basis … and I could go on. There are three 3 messages and themes that Western Sydney Strength and Conditioning will take into every session to make moving out of our comfort zone enjoyable.
Results – we acknowledge and celebrate the progress we make … the success can be measured in commitment as well as outcome – but also in the fact that we have learned something new and added something to our capabilities.
Variety – a commitment to making every session different from the ones before and continually thinking creatively about how our time together can provide new experiences and different ways to improve your health.
Laughter – it does not have to be a precise activity where we face the judge searching for a perfect -10! We can laugh at ourselves – each other - and the crazy positions we find ourselves in. Along with movement, laughter is the great medicine for better health.
Keep well and happy … see you soon.