Consumer Handout - I’m Not Feeling It!
By Sara Burton
Have you ever been in a fitness class or with your personal trainer and not felt an exercise the way you know you should be feeling it? Try one of these strategies to make each exercise really count.
1. Keep moving, and work on it next time.
Make it your goal to do the exercise better at the next class.”I can’t” doesn’t mean “I’ll never be able to.” Give yourself time to learn and improve.
2. Talk with your instructor or trainer
When you ask questions and take ownership of your training, you increase your knowledge and let your trainer better understand your needs. During classes, instructors use quick and efficient explanations. If something isn’t clear to you, a short discussion after class can make all the difference. Everyone wins with this kind of communication.
3. Make a face
How about this for instant feedback! A face that says, “I’m not feeling it,” stands out in the crowd. If you smile, grimace or look inquisitive, you’ll likely be noticed and get some direct help.
4. Increase your knowledge
When you understand more about exercise, your technique improves and results happen faster. These three important exercise concepts can help you get more from each workout.
• The muscles facing up are usually doing the work. For example, if you’re lying on your side and lifting your top leg up and down, your outer thigh muscles are responsible for the movement.
• Fitness pros generally target one muscle at a time. Visualize it, and squeeze it a little more. Adding that directed mental activity increases the intensity of the exercise.
• Pay attention to the destination of your body parts. To engage your hamstrings (back thighs) during a leg curl in a face-down position, your knees must bend and your heels must lift strongly towards your glutes. If you do just a little lift, you’ll get only a little benefit.
Sara Burton was a 2006 nominee for GoodLife’s Instructor of the Year and is a group exercise regional manager for GoodLife Fitness in Ontario. For more information, visit www.saraburton.com.
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