Don’t run to lose weight, lose weight to run!

You see it every January-the once empty row of treadmills in your gym is now full at even the most off times of the day.

For some reason, society has led us to believe that in order to lose weight, you should start with cardio, namely running.

Maybe that’s the result of successful advertising techniques that display runners as happy, lean individuals. Or maybe it’s the result of an ingrained idea from gym class in grade school where running was involved in most every session. Whatever it may be, it’s led a lot of new fitness-goers astray, resulting in a lack of adherence to their fitness regimen.

Sure, running helps with calorie control, but in terms of fat loss and body composition, it’s really not doing a whole lot for you. If anything, it’s probably doing more harm than good for most novice exercisers. Running technique is entirely more involved than it would appear to be from the outside eye. When you think about it, running involves every aspect of your body from your toes all the way up to your neck. One of my favorite fitness-isms is, “Don’t run to lose weight, lose weight to run.”

Think about it.

You’re an untrained athlete who is starting their fitness journey. Probably a good chance you’re at least a little bit overweight, and have no idea where to start at the gym. You see people sweating on the treadmill. You want to sweat to lose weight and you go to the treadmill. All of a sudden, you’re joints are under siege from more stress coming down on them at a higher frequency and rate without having performed a proper warm-up. You’re wearing the wrong shoes, you don’t know a gait from a gate… And your supporting muscles are so untrained you’re not able to get close to the right heart rate zone without feeling like your lunges are on fire. You get injured, you fall back into your cycle of not going to the gym, and you give up.

Or…

You’re an untrained athlete who is starting their fitness journey. Probably a good chance you’re at least a little bit overweight, and you have no idea where to start in the gym. You see people sweating on the treadmill. You want to sweat to lose weight, BUT you also are aware that there are trainers available to you. So, you approach a trainer, they set up a time to meet with you and develop an individualized plan that works for you and your experience level.

They teach you proper movement mechanics, you begin to see progress, and begin to supplement the cardio that’s right for you into your strength training program. Fitness becomes a sustainable part of your life, and you continue on with it for several years allowing you to feel and look the way you want.

Take home note:

Fitness doesn’t have to suck to yield results. It does, however, have to be smart and sustainable. With the right trainer, it could even bit a little bit of fun, too!

STS Online Training Systems