With the New Year quickly approaching I find my inbox filling up with daily inquires pertaining to our Personal and Online Training Services that we provide to potential clients. As a fitness professional this inspires me, as more and more people are beginning to take an interest in their general health and well being. As a business owner, this gives me a bit of anxiety though, as it means we’re going to be even more busy then we already are come the New Year. Regardless, we’re extremely grateful and appreciative to be in a situation where so many people trust us with their training goals and want us to assist them with becoming more healthy, active and fit.

With that said, I’ve been working in this industry for almost two decades. And during that time I’ve worked with my fair share of the “New Years Crowd” each time that January rolls around. Yes the New Year is a time to make resolutions and yes, the majority of those resolutions have to do with losing fat and building muscle. So it should be no surprise that come January 1st, that the gyms are packed, the spin classes are full and there are lineups at the Supplement and Health Stores to purchase the “best” fat burners, weights gainers and any other useless “cleansers” that can be marketed and sold to the unsuspected buyer.

And yes, we all know that the majority of these New Years Resolutioners will not stick to their new workout program or fancy diet plan. However some will, so there’s no reason to discourage, ridicule or shame anyone who is trying to better themselves in 2019 or at any other time for that matter.

So instead of mocking or demoralizing these Iron Virgins for making a positive change in their life, let’s encourage and offer them any helpful advice that can assist them with getting started.

I’ll start……

Nick’s Tips for Surviving in the Iron Jungle for 2019

Do It Right

If you’re completely new to resistance training, then HIRE A PERSONAL TRAINER!!! Yes, you can lift weights on your own. But do you even know how to lift weights properly? Do you know how to train safely and effectively? No, watching a YouTube Video or following a Fitness App, is not going to work and is usually a good way to go about injuring yourself. Technology CANNOT replace the knowledge and experience that a highly sought out trainer can add to your workouts. But don’t just hire any trainer. Seek out the best of the best. Don’t just hire a trainer because he or she has a good body and a million followers on Instagram. Ask for credentials, read up on their client testimonials, make sure that you feel confident and comfortable with the trainer that you choose to work with. We are after all talking about your health and wellbeing.

Don’t Cheap Out

To be the best you need to work with the best. This is something I truly believe in, which is why I preach it on a regular basis. To be a better business owner, I surround myself with likeminded people. Rarely when I’m hiring someone for a particular service or job will I “shop around” for the best deal. I want to hire someone who I know can get the job done. Obviously price is a factor however it should not be the ONLY factor. Remember, you get what you pay for. So if you’re looking for the lowest rate, then don’t be surprised when you receive the lowest quality of service. Some of the top trainers in the industry will charge a premium rate for their time, and in my opinion if the trainer is that good, then his or her rate is reasonable and fair.

Forget the Fad Diets

Do you know the one common denominator that the Keto Diet, IFFYM Diet and Intermittent Fasting all share? I’ll give you a hint – They All Work!

In the short term that is…….

Don’t be fooled by “Fitness Experts” who try to sell you on their Fad Diets and Fictitious Food Philosophies that are only created to separate you from your hard earned cash. Yes, the diets mentioned above will help you achieve some results, but will you be able to maintain those results for longer then just a few months? How much damage is eliminating a specific macronutrient from your diet for 16 weeks going to cause to your thyroid in the long run? Sure you can lose weight eating cheese cake and doughnuts as long as it fits your daily macronutrient limits. However what is all that processed sugar and chemically induced ingredients doing to your internal organs, arteries, kidneys, liver and digestive tract? And fasting for 16 hours a day might make you feel better and enable you to be more productive at work, but is it realistic to expect that you can follow this way of eating for the remainder of your natural born life? And when you can’t fast for 16 hours everyday for the rest of your life (because realistically, no one can or should) what’s there to stop your blood sugar levels from dropping and insulin levels from spiking from the initial shock to your body when your fast is broken too early or even too late?

At the end of the day, it’s your body and you life. If you choose to join a Boot Camp Fitness Class that is overcrowded or work with a trainer that doesn’t take a customized approach to your training, then who am I to stop you? If you decide to follow a crash diet that will allow you to drop those 5-10 pounds within 2 weeks, then go for it.

As I always say to all of our new clients, if you’re looking for a quick fix, then we’re not the trainers and coaches for you. We are dedicated to helping are clients achieve results, but we don’t bullshit them with empty promises and false hopes. We want our clients to have realistic expectations, therefore if we feel that you’re not ready to join a group class and require that one on one instruction for the first few months, then we will tell you. If you are overweight and don’t know how to adjust your diet accordingly, then we will teach you. And if you need help learning how to train and exercise correctly, then we’ll help you!

Don’t fall for cheesy sales tactics or marketing gimmicks. If you know it’s time to start taking your health and fitness goals seriously, then START TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY. Ditch the apps, forget the fads and don’t be stingy with your health. Do your research, hire a reputable and well known fitness professional to help get you started, and get the results you desire for 2019 and for life!

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance