Over the years, going to the gym has always served a purpose. When I was in high school, I wrestled and played football, and I went to the gym for strength training. The goal was to increase muscle endurance and build strength.
In college I decided to concentrate on football, but my regimine in the gym was similar. The goal was still increasing muscle endurance and strength, but with more experienced coaches and advanced training programs, those lifting sessions were more intense. I can remember those days, the squats, the deadlifts, the soreness.
After I graduated I didn’t play sports. It was definitely a time of transition for me, but I continued steady in the gym for the next three or four years. Without sports my goals in the gym changed for the first time. This period of time was really about looking good. I wanted to build lean muscle mass and shrink my waist size.
I’m in my late thirties now, and after taking almost fifteen years off from the gym, I’m ready to get going again. What I’ve learned over the years is that the gym serves many different purposes depending on the individual and what he or she wants to accomplish.
When I was playing sports I was in the gym four or five days during the week. The workouts were intense, and they focused on large muscle groups and power movements because remember, training for sports is much different than body building. As an athlete your less concerned with “look” or the definition of a body part. The workout of an athlete is driven by maximizing power and explosiveness. We want to be strong, we want to physically dominate, and we want to be capable of doing that for an extended period of time.
If you’ve never lifted weights, but you’re a football fan then you can see examples of what I mean by watching. How many times has your favorite team won or lost a game in the fourth quarter? When the games begin they’re electric. Both teams are real fast and running wild, but that slowly changes as the quarters wind down.
By the time the games over its obvious who the stronger and better conditioned team is.
Now, you do not have to play a sport or be involved in any type of competition to join a gym. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look good. You should want to look good and feel good. Do not let anyone tell you differently. You’re not conceited or self centered for thinking that way so don’t let anyone lay that guilt you.
For men and women, weight training, dieting, and good sleep are very very important.
As we age and our hormones change, we begin to feel differently because physically, were not what we once were. We’re a little slower, a little softer around the waistline, and just not as interested in getting our butts to the gym as we used to be.
What I can tell you however, is that physical activity is that much more important because of all of those internal changes.
I’m in the third week of my gym membership, and I’m only training two days during the week. I’m really sore and weaker than ever, but it feels good. My goals obviously are different. I do want a tighter better looking body, and I want to feel good as well. I would like to be happier and more energetic during both my personal time at home and professionally at work.
If you’re experiencing slight sadness, a low libido, laziness, and a lack of interest just know that that’s not uncommon with an increase in age. You can do something about it though, and it doesn’t have to be an extensive four or five day training plan.
