Alright, enough is enough! And I’ve had ENOUGH!!!! I’m irritated, frustrated, nauseated and for some odd reason, even a little constipated……

Cellphones in the gym have been a thorn in my side since mid 2007, when the first Iphone was introduced. Before the Iphone, we had Blackberrys and Flip Phones. And although these mobile devices would occasionally make an appearance or two in the gym, it was usually done discreetly and off the floor to answer quickly to a work email or respond to an important text message from a friend or family member. Unfortunately nowadays with the advancements in technology, the explosion of social media, and the growing narcissistic need for self validation and approval from our peers, this once valuable communication tool which was suppose to be useful and helpful, has now become a nuisance, a distraction and utterly annoying. From taking selfies in the squat rack, to cruising through Instagram while “resting” in between sets, it seems as if most people have forgot the reason as to why they are at the gym in the first place…….

WHICH IS TO TRAIN!!!!

Still That Analog Man Living In That Digital World

You can say that I’m old, you can say that I’m grumpy, and you can say that I’m OCD. Hell, you can even say that I’m a pain in the ass at times. But you can’t say that I don’t bust my own ass off when I’m training in the gym. Every single training session that I do, I can honestly say that I give 100% of my complete focus and intensity to that workout. I don’t stop to check my Instagram Newsfeed, I don’t rest to update my Facebook status, and I sure as hell don’t occupy a piece of exercise equipment for 15-20 minutes while I look for a song on my Spotify Playlist. I simply go to the gym, train literally insane, and then leave. Now I’m not suggesting that everyone has to train as psychotically as I do, or as intensely as we have our clients do in the gym. However I do think there should be a standard set in the fitness industry for proper gym etiquette. And sitting on exercise equipment while taking up valuable gym real estate and playing around on your phone, is just rude and disrespectful in my opinion.

Disconnecting From The Cyber World

Over the past decade I’ve grown to develop a love-hate relationship with Social Media. I understand the importance that Social Media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can have for a Small Business such as ours. Not only do these platforms allow us to market our services and products to potential clients, but they also allow us to remain a valuable resource for our current clientele with our health and fitness posts that we provide on a daily basis.

With that said, with the good usually comes the bad. And although there are plenty of things that I find repulsive and revolting when it comes to certain components of Social Media, the main issue I have is the disconnect that I feel from interacting with people in the real world. I remember when I first started Personal Training, most conversations that I would have with clients outside of the gym were on the phone. Emailing and Texting existed, however it was just more practical to pick up the phone and talk to someone in real time. And although this may have not been as time efficient as sending out a short email or a copy-and-paste text message, it helped build a foundation of solid relationships with many of my long term clients who still train with me today.

Getting My Wires Crossed

Okay, so where am I going with this? I mean here I am saying how much I hate the over usage of cellphones and Social Media in the gym, while at the same time I’m out there blogging, posting and hashtagging with the best of them. Hence my self-loathing…..

I think what I’m trying to say (in an extremely polite and respectful manner), is that if you’re finding yourself in the gym texting more then you’re training, taking selfies while you’re squatting, cruising through the gram, instead of crushing through your workout, then quite frankly, why are you even at the gym?

Recently I had a new online client tell me that it was taking her 2.5 hours to get through a Leg Workout that I designed for her. I was shocked to find out that this workout was taking her so long to complete, especially considering that the workout itself consisted of no more then a total of 20 sets. When I asked this client how long she rested in between each one of her sets, she had no idea. When I asked her roughly how much weight she was lifting on certain exercises, she had forgot. When I asked how she felt after her workout, she replied “Great!”. All 3 of these answers were red flags telling me that my new client was simply not pushing herself hard enough in the gym on her own. Therefore I invited her down to my Training Facility for the exact same workout the following week. Not only did we finish the workout in less then 40 minutes, but by the time we were finished, my new client had to lay down on the floor for 5 minute to collect herself. 3 days after the leg workout was finished, she still had difficulty walking, standing and sitting.

I’m not telling you this story to embarrass my new client. She knows who she is and she agreed with me after the workout that she was not training with the type of intensity needed to achieve the results she wanted. And now she understand this. Anyone can follow a Training Program. But how hard you train, is something that only you can control.

Last Call

Look, at the end of the day lackluster training in the gym is only going to lead to lackluster results with your physique. My recommendation is to use your time in the gym for you! Disconnect yourself from the Cyber World for an hour. It’s okay, you’re not going to miss anything special or important. And if you do, you can always scroll back over your news feeds AFTER your workout is done. And rather then wasting your time looking for a specific song in between sets, make your playlist before you go to the gym and stay committed to it. Try using your resting time as an actual RESTING TIME by premeditating your next set or exercise. Focus on establishing a stronger mind to muscle exercise during your reps. And don’t allow others to distract you with gossip and small talk. If someone really wants to talk to you during your workout, just politely tell them that you will talk to them once your workout has been complete.

Remember, if you’re serious about achieving results with your health and your physique, then you need to be serious about the way you workout. Don’t go to the gym to socialize. Don’t go to the gym to text, tweet or hashtag. And for the love of God, Don’t go to the gym to take selfies!!!!

JUST GO TO THE GYM AND TRAIN!!!

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance