Fitness Challenges are becoming more and more common in health clubs today, but who really benefits from these Fitness Challenge Programs?
We don’t become unfit and unhealthy in 30 days, so we can’t expect to be fit and healthy after a 30-day challenge. If you do achieve optimum health and fitness in two weeks or thirty days, your health and fitness was pretty good to begin with. However, for most people, actual results can take a lot longer than thirty days, let alone two weeks.
However, on a positive note, a 2 week or 30-day challenge can point you in the right direction to improving your new healthy lifestyle. Thirty days is long enough to see improved results, with an increase in your energy levels and some toning. This can be enough to kick start your motivation to progress your longer-term health and fitness goals. Fitness Challenges are also great for making you accountable. Next time you reach for a treat, you will think again because you have committed to the program. As an indication, some experts consider a healthy weight loss to be 0.5kg to 1kg per week.
Challenges can include 100 push up challenges, 30 day challenges and individual or group challenges. If you are new to fitness, I would recommend tackling shorter more manageable challenges. Most challenges that I have come across are generally targeted at weight loss or fat loss however, challenges can be targeted at any form of fitness. I like the 100 push up challenge, as it is very straight forward to follow and being able to achieve 100 push ups gives you good core strength and improves your overall general fitness. In my opinion, you are not going to get life-long fitness results by doing a fitness challenge but, the challenges can teach you good discipline and help you to get on track with your health and fitness goals.
To receive individual advice on improving your health and fitness, seek the advice of a fitness professional, such as myself. We can work together to map out a strategic plan and identify exactly how to best execute your health and fitness goals. I believe, a good health and fitness lifestyle is forever, so you need to understand what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy and build a fun program you can sustain and progress. Challenges can give you a taster of different exercises, routines etc. and this may help you learn what will best work for you.
Most, if not all health clubs today, participate in fitness challenges and they can be a fantastic way of creating a sense of community and this can help people to stick to the program, and stay motivated pre and post challenge. Taking on a Fitness Challenge at a health club can also be a fantastic way to meet new friends.
Having a post fitness-challenge plan is critical. For example, once the 30-day challenge has finished and you have seen some results, you need a good exercise and nutrition program to keep you progressing. The last thing we need is for all the hard-work during the challenge to be undone and return to our old ways. Make sure you partner with a fitness professional to continually plan and execute your exercise and nutrition programs again and again.
No-one can promise you results. Results take hard-work, discipline and consistency and that all comes down to the people involved – you and your Trainer or Coach. Teaming up with someone who understands you personally, physically and emotionally is critical. If a trainer can tick all these boxes, they will best be able to guide you through your challenges and beyond.
Fitness Challenges traditionally involve technical exercise movements, injuries can occur if incorrect exercise technique are used. Again, my recommendation is to partner with a fitness professional to ensure good exercise technique is executed. I always promote doing exercises in front of mirrors, not so you can critique your body, but monitor and correct your exercise technique.
In my opinion, fitness challenges can be a good stepping stone to starting a fitter and healthier lifestyle.
Remember, living a fit and healthy life is an enjoyable and fun life.