Get Real! - Randi's Blog

After reading Alan’s thoughts on the need to train smarter AND harder, and reflecting on the overwhelming prevalence of fitness marketing ploys that promise “something for nothing” (i.e., footwear, diet pills, beverages, cleanses, etc), I began to think about the dangers of the other side - programs that advocate hard work, but often promise unrealistic results - “Get absolutely ripped in 90 days, guaranteed!” or “Lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days!” 

You’ve seen the advertisements. You may have even been impressed or intrigued; and rightfully so, these claims are mind-blowing. But are unrealistic expectations setting the average client up for failure, straight from the beginning?

Now, I’m not saying these programs don’t work. Gym memberships and personal training sessions can be expensive, so “home fitness” DVDs and the like can have their place, if used properly and approached with a level head. The danger starts, however, when exercise beginners fall for photo-shopped BEFORE/AFTER shots and jump head-first into exercise programs designed way out of their range of physical capabilities. These programs make outrageous claims because they themselves ARE outrageous and designed for/by the extremely fit. Absolutely ripped in 90 days, guaranteed? It takes six to eight weeks of consistent overload to build muscle, so if you’ve been sedentary for the past couple years, or you’re new to the world of exercise, this is just not going to happen.

The REAL guarantee is this - one of two things will happen with the average “client” following these programs: he/she will struggle with the routines for a few days, but will experience debilitating soreness and muscle fatigue that forces them to taper off, and he/she will soon forget exercise altogether, OR he/she will push through the program but become frustrated, and eventually give up, when the results they see do not match those they were promised.

If you’re new to exercise, have been out of practice for a few years, or are just unsure of your current fitness level, stay away from infomercials promising huge gains (or losses) in unrealistic time frames, and come visit The Wolf Studio for an exercise program designed especially for you (not you and the rest of the masses). When you have specific, realistic goals and a specific, realistic, expertly designed program, you WILL see results. But, you will also be expected to do the work. Ambitious fitness goals are great, but remember to consider the sacrifices you are willing to make and the time you are willing to commit.

More to come,
Randi