Is it just me or has the level of intensity in gyms and fitness facilities these days completely gone down hill? No matter which gym I’m training at, I constantly see people texting on their phones, taking selfies in the mirror, and having long drawn out conversations with one another in between their sets. I know, I know. I need to shut up, mind my own business, and just train. However, even I have to admit, that’s not always easy to do when I’m trying to complete a triple drop set in the squat rack and can overhear a conversation about how drunk the girl training next to me got last night. I try my best to stay focused on my own workouts. I rarely if ever take my headphones off and always try my best to keep conversations in the gym to a minimum if at all. I know to many I may come across as angry or intense, however I’m not at the gym to socialize, I’m at the gym to train.

When it comes to training our own clients I take a very similar approach. Our clients come to work with us because they want to achieve results. Whether those results are for aesthetics, sports related or just overall health, they have certain expectations and goals. As fitness professionals, it’s our job to help them achieve these goals. Therefore, we have little to no interest in making small talk or designing a nice and comfortable workout for them. To get results you need to work for them. Talking for five minutes in between your sets with your personal  trainer or training partner, or resting on a piece of equipment for ten minutes scrolling though your Instagram newsfeed is NOT going to produce results. Training hard, resting very little and giving 110% effort and energy to your workouts, WILL on the other hand, produce maximum results.

When I see people who appear as if they would rather be sleeping then training at the gym, I start to become unmotivated to train myself. When I see people not clearing their weights and cleaning up after themselves, I start to become a bit frustrated. When I see other trainers at gyms taking their clients through workouts that are either too complex for an obvious beginner, or too easy for someone who is in relatively decent shape, I become annoyed. Ofcourse these are all first world problems, and for the most part are not such a big deal. However, with that said, they all do still have an impact on me and effect the way that I approach my own training and the way that I train my clients. So what should I do?

As someone who is slightly OCD, I’ve had trouble over the years releasing control of the things that I have little to no control over. I’ve had to realize that it’s okay if things are not put away exactly the way I would like them to be. I’ve come to terms with the fact that some people do not have the desire or drive to work as hard as I do. I understand and accept that perfection is not always attainable and also not always necessary. Accepting all of this has made my own life much more enjoyable and relatively stress free. I still give every single client I train, 100% of my effort and attention to detail, however I no longer stress myself over whether or not they enjoy their workouts with me or achieve their own health and fitness goals. It’s my client’s responsibility to achieve his or her goals. All I can do, is provide the necessary tools, resources and motivation needed to help reach these goals.

The great thing about getting older, is that it becomes easier to let the smaller and sometimes even bigger things go (for most people anyways). I’ve learned that by developing a positive mindset and surrounding myself with motivational and inspirational people, makes a significant difference in my day to day life. I feel more energized, I feel more happy and I feel more determined to succeed. I still get annoyed, frustrated and unmotivated at times, however when this happens I reset my outlook on the situation and try my absolute best to turn a negative situation into one that’s positive and a situation that I may actually learn a lesson from.

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by irritation, which is easiest; And third by experience, which is the bitterest”
Confucius

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit