Balance Your Life in 2012: a Toronto Personal Trainer’s Perspective

A Toronto Personal Trainer’s Perspective on Balancing Your Workout

As a Personal Trainer in Toronto, I’ve seen workout fads come and go, each claiming to be the next ultimate solution to all fitness problems. Of course, none actually live up to their claims. I’ve found that the real way to get results is balance: creating a workout regimen with both physical and mental components.

• Cardio: Cardio is the component of a workout that makes your heart race and your body sweat and heave. It’s also the part that burns calories. There are a million ways to get your cardio in, from the treadmill and the elliptical at the gym to Zumba and kickboxing classes to almost every sport out there. There are also some workouts that are specially designed to combine cardio and strength training (as described below), such as boot camp classes, high intensity interval training or flow Pilates.

• Strength Training: Strength training, like the name implies, helps you improve your strength. Unlike most cardio workouts, strength training can be focused on problem areas of the body so you can build muscle where you want it. It can also help you to improve your performance in cardio exercise: there is a reason that all serious athletes do some strength training. Common strength training techniques include weight lifting and strength training exercises or workouts.

• Flexibility: Stretching is an important component of any exercise regimen to prevent injury and maintain range of motion, especially if you are trying to build some muscle. My years of personal training have taught me that neglecting to stretch can have some serious repercussions. Most people add on a short stretching routine at the end of cardio workouts. Some activities, like yoga and Pilates, focus on stretching as a means unto itself.

• Fun: This is perhaps the most important component of a workout. I’ve seen time and time again as a Personal Trainer in Toronto that people who are bored with their workouts lack the drive they need to stay fit. Picking something that you enjoy, preferably with a social element or a skilled instructor, will keep you happy, healthy and in shape. At True Life Fitness I provide fun options like Kettleball Training, exercise ball training, interval training or circuit training to continually motivate clients.

Creating a personal balance of cardio, strength training, flexibility and fun in your workouts will do exactly what all of those ‘miracle workouts’ claim to do: get you in shape and keep you there, and with a smile on your face to boot.