Why do you workout? This seemingly simple question has a profound impact on the results you get…from workouts and from life. For most of the population (and perhaps you too), the two most common responses are:
- To Lose Weight
- To Get Fit (aka to look good)
While I know this is the reality that most people experience, I believe those are crappy reasons why should you workout. It’s these reasons that contribute to so many people “hating” exercise. Then again, I probably would hate exercise as well if those were the only reasons I could see for working out.
I believe this massively narrow focus on “getting fit” and “losing weight” is also at the root of what’s wrong with so much of the fitness industry.
Trainers, instructors, and businesses continue to promote this outdated idea and sadly, it ends up alienating the very people they want to help. It sets them up for failure and frustration while limiting their ability to get the REAL results they want.
Yes. I believe it’s not actually the weight loss and fitness you want. Seriously!
The Real Reason Why We Workout
Sure, those are nice “side effects”, but they aren’t the REAL goal of exercise. Somehow modern society has taken all the joy and benefits of moving our bodies and diminished it to vanity, aesthetics, and reaching a certain “number on the scale”.
Thankfully, movement, fitness, and life are MUCH more than going to the gym, doing cardio, lifting weights, burning calories, fitting into our jeans, or dropping a few pounds on the scale.
So, I will ask again…why do YOU workout?
Everyone will have their reasons, and for many people, it originally started with “getting fit” and “losing weight”. However, talk to anyone who has reached those goals and continues to be active in their life, and you will find that their reasons are completely different!
Here’s what a few of our members said when we asked them why they workout…
For Danielle – it’s her ability to live pain-free and enjoy exploring the mountains.
For Mark – it’s to have the energy and capability to keep up with his growing kids.
For Julie – it’s to keep learning new skills that amaze her and her friends with what she can do at her age.
For Sheena – it’s to feel better and be able to do more at 50+ than in her 30s.
For Greg – it’s because there is so much of the world to see, and he wants to be able to experience it for many more decades to come.
For others, why they workout is about having the energy and mindset to accomplish their greatest goals and spend time with their kids, grandkids, along with the sheer joy and pride that comes with mastering new skills and defying expectations of what is possible.
The interesting thing is that each of these clients lost weight and got in great shape throughout their time with us. Yet, if they focused just on fitness and weight loss, they would likely have become frustrated and bored before reaching their goals.
And if they did reach those particular goals, they wouldn’t have much incentive to continue. This is how the fitness and weight loss yo-yo get started. But, there’s another critical aspect of movement and exercise that’s hardly ever talked about.
Being Functional Human Beings as a Biggest Why We Workout
Perhaps the biggest why we workout is to be “functional” and able to do the things we want to in life…without having to think about whether we can.
Have you ever had to move furniture, do a physically demanding job, pick up your kids, jump over a fence, carry something heavy, or get asked to play a new sport or game without notice?
Two-drawer filing cabinet…
Just yesterday, I moved a fully loaded two-drawer filing cabinet up a flight of stairs and into another room. This involved all kinds of bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, and twisting that resembles NOTHING like what someone would do in the gym or a workout.
Yet, these are things we ask our body to do these movements each day. Okay, perhaps not moving filing cabinets, but the fact is, most people’s exercise routines do nothing to prepare them for what they do in life.
If there is a definition of functional strength, the filing cabinet and life examples would be it. Life requires that you be functionally strong so you can pick things up, move them around, and generally interact with the world around you.
Think about this…
- Do you have the stability and mobility to lift your kids?
- Can you run, jump, and leap when you need to?
- Climb a tree or mountain? Scale a fence?
- Go on adventures on a moment’s notice without self-doubt or fear of injury?
- Do you have the energy and clarity of mind each day to follow your dreams and well…move a filing cabinet when you need to? 🙂
Let’s face it, having functional strength is SUPER useful in life – for yourself and for others. Yet, most people avoid doing these things…because they can’t. This gets worse as people age. They think the activities I mentioned are for “young people”. That’s total BS.
I’m 50 right now and am in better shape in many ways than I was in my early 20s. Plus, there are still so many more skills I’m excited about learning and being able to do. I feel like I’m just getting started! The best part is that when you workout for movement and function, the benefits can be attained at ANY age.
The stronger and more mobile you are, the cooler the skills you can do, the more adventures you can tackle, and the better you will feel every day.
Plus, you will be ready to live your best life without nagging pains, preventable injuries, and worries that you won’t be able to do something you really want to or need to.
Even more, you will live a longer, more fulfilling life. I don’t know about you, but knowing that I died early when I could have prevented it by moving more…That would suck!
Imagine what life will be like when…
- Your back doesn’t hurt when you lift something.
- You aren’t scared of falling and hurting yourself
- You have the strength and confidence to protect yourself and those you love when you need it.
- Your joints don’t ache when you move
- You can go to play and have fun with your friends and not fear that you will tear a ligament
- You can move a couch (or filing cabinet) with ease and pride
- Y️our strong, lean, muscular body and active lifestyle help you avoid 80% of the top causes of death
- You live longer, and you get to enjoy it more!
The Benefit of Effective and Functional Workouts at FRESH!
Our approach revolves around several important concepts that every human will benefit from mastering. We help awesome humans like you learn to WORKOUT and MOVE better so you can do everything you want to in life!
The 4 Foundations of Function™
- Breathing
- Bracing
- Alignment
- Activation
The 7 Primal Movement Patterns
- Squat
- Lunge
- Push
- Pull
- Hinge
- Gait
- Rotate
You may look at these and say, “I already know how to do most of these”, I can say from 30 years of experience that despite being familiar with the terms, the large majority of people have not learned how to do them correctly.
Don’t believe me? I encourage you to pick up Pillar #3 (Movement) in The Fitness Curveball book series. It goes through each of these steps in detail and will be the best health and fitness purchase you make this year.
Want to see these concepts in action? Book a FREE Success Coaching Session with one of my expert movement coaches.
One last thought before we wrap up:
The movement decisions we make today determine what we can do tomorrow.
So, has your answer to my first question changed?
Why do you workout?
Comments
I work out to be as healthy as I can for as long as I can for my family. It’s also nice to stay looking good. I won’t lie!
Exactly Beth. Its a good “side effect” 🙂
I workout to feel better every day. I started feeling so run down, and working out really helped me change that.
Glad to hear that Claudia. Thanks for he feedback!
I work out for a few reasons. Yes, I would like to be more fit, but it’s more about how I feel, the energy it gives me for the day since I workout in the morning, and leading by example for my children when it comes to taking care of my body.
Perfect combination Stephanie. Thanks for the feedback!
It is good to remind ourselves of all the great benefits of working out. I think even without aches and pains and health issues, it is all about being proactive!
Exactly Marysa! Being active is our natural state.
This was extremely motivating to read! Thank you.
You are welcome Erika!
Great question you had there and I appreciate your explanation on this. It’s a fundamental question for a lot of people but I do work out on a daily basis, think I got inspired by your insights. 🙂 `
Glad to hear that! And thanks for the feedback!
I personally workout in my own way for stress relief and as a way to get fresh air and grow stronger. It used to be about losing weight, losing calories – but now it’s purely for my health.
Hopefuly, it will stay that way. Thanks for the feedback!
I work out because it helps me sleep better and I always feel better for it. I also find that exercise is great for stress relief. It’s fun to exercise with others as I can do that and have a chat at the same time.
Yes, teaming up is a great way to have fun and get fit at the same time.
I think I need to pay more attention to my health. I`m 42, but I started to have joint problems after my second history, and a week ago, I broke my foot. It feels like I’m falling apart. And I’m glad I found your motivational article. I want to be healthy for my kids, and I hope I’ll start working out soon.
Sorry to hear that Olga. Good luck and if you need any help just sent us an email.
Hhhmmm….I workout to primarily improve on my general health. My joints, muscles and feet do feel heavy when I don’t work out. When I work out daily, it all improves.
Yes, you become more functional as a human. Thanks for the feedback!
I have plans to start working out again soon. I have added a lot of weight and have more time on my hands. Working out will increase my confidence.
It sure will Sonia. Thanks for the feedback!
Well, it’s a good question, I always remind myself why I’m doing it as well.
Great to hear that!
To be honest, for me its to look good but its just so frustrating that its not as easy as you hope it to be!
With the right guidance, it can become much easier and fun also 😉
I do alot of hiking, but I plan on working out 3 times a week x
Great to hear that. And good luck!
Your insights about exercise as a form of self-care for the mind were spot on, and it’s something I hadn’t thought about much before. Thanks for giving me a fresh perspective on my own fitness journey.
You are welcome Kat. We are glad you liked the post!
Interesting perspective on reasons why people workout. The same is true when I ask most people why they go on a diet, their immediate response is to look good. You are so right, the norms of society have taken the fun out of work out and boiled it down to vanity and not necessarily the real reasons why we should all workout.
Exactly Kevin! I am glad you liked the post, and thanks for the feedback!
I love this! I am an avid fitness enthusiast and preach this all the time that losing weight and looking good are not sustainable workout motivations. I love your description of the problems with this and alternative motivations. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for commenting! We are glad that you liked the post!
I work out to feel good and stay young to have fun with the little people in my life!
Great point there! We all need to cherish the child within us.
Yes! I love where you ask about having the mobility to lift your kids. This is the number one reason that I personally workout! I want to be able to play with my kids and bounce around with them. I often take them on hikes which requires me to carry the younger ones over the terrain. Staying in shape is a top priority for me as a mother!
Exactly true Desiree! Awesome that you spend time with your kids in that way.
I am just getting back into working out so this was a timely post for me. I am saving the video so I can know how to swat correctly as well as the other moves. I like exercising to give me more energy and to help in my weight loss.
Great to hear that Ann and thank you for the feedback!
I work out to stay healthy. And to look good 😀
This is nice. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for commenting!
The core answer remains the same but your detailed write up has definitely made me more aware why I work out!!!
Glad you liked the post and thanks for the feedback!