1. MOVE OFTEN, MOVE WELL
There’s no greater guiding principle than to move often and move well. We believe this to be the foundation of everyone’s fitness journey — high-quality human movement. We recommend that you move for at least 15-30 minutes per day, and a few times a week go for a little more. No matter if you are moving fast v. slow, with heavy loads v. light load, or simple v. complex movements you should always strive for high quality, crisp movement.
2. HAVE FUN
Whatever you do, do it with a smile on your face! Your fitness should always have an element of fun to it…even when the going gets tough. Of course, some workouts will be harder than others but we should learn to embrace and appreciate the struggle in those moments. Train your body and mind to welcome the adversity with open arms and look at each bump in the road as a fun, new challenge. Smile
3. WORK HARD
Hard work is the best way to guarantee the results you want. No matter if you want to get leaner, bigger, faster, or stronger…working hard is the best way to ensure your success. We recommend that between 3-5 times per week you are really challenging yourself with the effort you are putting into your workouts. We want you working at a pace that’s challenging for you but also within your physical and psychological limits — don’t overdo it!
4. REST WHEN YOU NEED
Everyone’s needs for rest are a little different. We recommend that you rest when you feel you need it…whether physically or psychologically. Some days you just need to chill and that’s okay. Other days you might need some “active recovery” like a hike, brisk walk, yoga, or a swim…we love that too. The bottom line is that you should listen to your body and take appropriate rest or active recovery when you need it.
5. YOU DO YOU
Your fitness journey is your fitness journey. It’s not anyone else’s, and it’s not a competition with anyone else. The only person you need to worry about is you. Your workouts, your mindset, your results…you do you!
6. Work with a professional
There are lots of options out there of who to work with. Some people think that they can make it up as they go. This might be fine once in a while. But it speaks volumes about what you think of a profession that sometimes involves more years in school than a doctor! How did your hair turn out the last time you cut or coloured it yourself? If you like the “bowl-Cut” approach of fitness, your results will resemble the “bowl-cut” haircut.
7. WARM-UP & RECOVER PROPERLY
Before getting started with a workout (in particular an intense workout) you should get yourself warm. Move around for at least 5 minutes and get sweaty. Try to replicate the movements you will do in the workout without any weight and feel out the range of motion that you will put your body through. At the end of the warm-up, your body should feel ready for the day’s work.
After your workout wraps up, it’s important to take some time, again roughly 5 minutes or more, to cool down and recover. Recovery can take different forms — a slow walk, breathing intentionally, or some flow yoga. The ultimate goal of recovery is to down-regulate and return to homeostasis. Get yourself back to a normal state where your heart rate and breathing are under control.
8. GET OUTSIDE
Your fitness journey should include some time spent interacting with nature. We encourage you to be an active participant in this amazing world. Enhance your fitness by taking yourselves outdoors and experiencing the elements. Sunny days are great to move things outside but don’t forget to play in the rain or snow now and then!
9. ADD IN SOME PLAY
Speaking of play…it’s not just for little kids! Add in some play to keep your fitness routine fun and ever challenging. Play adds an element of levity to fitness…it takes the stress out of it. You should get out there to play and learn some new sports or skills. It’s okay to take a “workout” off to hit the field and throw or kick around a ball.
10. DON’T GO OVERBOARD
Perhaps the rule to rule them all. Take your fitness seriously and work hard; however, don’t become too wrapped up in it. Don’t let it rule your life. Fitness can and should be a major part of your life but create a boundary for yourself. There’s a difference between commitment and lifestyle vs. obsession and compulsion. Be on the lifestyle side of the equation. Fitness is one expression of who you are…it doesn’t define every aspect of your life.