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Exercise serves many different purposes for many people. And everyone experiences exercise in several different ways. Some people get what’s called a “runner’s high.” Some don’t. Some people get a thrill and a rush from extreme sports like skydiving, motor cross cycling, etc. Some wouldn’t dream of doing such things.
Exercise can also be a very personal experience and a very private one at that. Some like to exercise in solitude, others like to exercise in groups.
To each his own.
The deeper question is, what are the physiological benefits of exercise? Are you exercising for the fun of it in hopes that you get physical benefits? Do you know that the exercises you are currently doing are indeed providing those benefits? Do you know what those benefits are?
Getting in your car and driving will get you somewhere. But unless you know precisely where you are going and unless you have a clear road map to tell you how to get to that destination, you’ll never arrive. You may get close, you may wind up in a similar place, but it’s a shot in the dark.
When it comes to exercise, know where you are going and make sure you have a clear set of directions. Otherwise, you may get lost.
Your thoughts?
I've been involved in exercise ever since I became a member of The Charles Atlas Club when I was 10 years old. In 1998, I founded and established Serious Strength on the Upper West Side of NYC. My clients include kids, seniors (and everyone in between), top CEOs, celebrities, bestselling authors, journalists and TV personalities.
Strong Kids Healthy Kids
Euphoria Olive Oil
Gary Taubes: Why We Get Fat
Michael & MaryDan Eades M.D.: Protein Power Lifeplan
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Interesting question to ponder indeed… My experience: I’ve never liked “exercising”, not one bit. In fact, there are only one or two “sports” I’ve ever enjoyed and they are what I would consider rather mild in regards to physical effort: badminton and bowling. I absolutely dislike what is called a “rush” — it literally makes me nauseated. This may be one reason I have avoided the popular exercise programs that have been recommended most of my adult life for good health — aerobics.
I am sure you know all that this form of exercise has been touted to cure. The way it’s told, it and a low-fat, high-fiber diet is practically a fountain of youth! But, it just made me feel terrible and worst of all, my strength never improved. Then I discovered the Slow Burn Exercises…. “Thirty minutes a week”, I read, and done very slowly. It sounded perfect. I tried it and though the first time was far harder to get through than I had thought, I liked the feeling I had afterwards — I “felt” my muscles in a way I had not with aerobics. And I actually could feel my strength increasing with each session. My muscles were stronger. I could lift more, stretch farther, work longer. My back didn’t hurt when I simply bent over anymore. I literally felt the new strength — It was an awesome feeling to an exercise wimp like me! And I liked the fact that I wasn’t sweaty and huffing and puffing… Why, SB was even more dignified! Think of those Richard Simons type workouts that make middle-aged women look like sweaty Porky Pigs dancing disco! All that effort and embarrassment (if you have any self-respect) for very little gain in my opinion!
As long as I am able, I will always use the SB as my form of exercise now… I even enjoy it! This, coming from someone who abhorred exercise is in my opinion, quite a commendation. You used the analogy of knowing where you are going lest you get lost. Well, you can also get lost while confidently believing you are on the right road as I did when I believed aerobics were the way to go. I would say that experience (aerobics) was like driving around in circles.
@ Kab — Richard Simmons!!!! AGH!!!! LOL. That’s funny you brought him up. My mind always tries to forget about him as quickly as possible. He NEVER really looked healthy to me.
I’ve found that lifting heavy once a week is the most rewarding for a really lazy guy like me.
I want to get my exercise from just having fun but I’ve always got that “will this help me lose weight” thought in the back of my mind I can’t shake.
hi Fred,
its me again, i just left another question on another article, …..then I read the Heart Scan blog’s newsletter from Dr Davis and he mentioned that you had specific exercises/advice for losing visceral fat. I have lost lots from Dr Eades 6 week cure, “it was great”, but I would like to add some applicable exercises.
Is it in your book , if so which ones specifically…many thanks
Jo-Anne
Western Canada
Hi Jo-Anne –
There are not specific exercises. Do a full body routine 2X a week. Work hard. Sleep well. Stay low-carb as best as possible. No fruit. Meat and veggies and that is it until you get to your goal. Yes – it will be rough for a while. Stay the course.
Hello from New Zealand Fred,
I found your blog via Dr Eades site and have enjoyed following it for the past few months. Do you know of any Slow Burn trainers in New Zealand? I’ve been trying to find one but haven’t been lucky yet so would love to know what you think of my gym routine and any tips on what to change to speed up the muscle building.
I’m 154lbs, 18% body fat, watch my carbs (about 60-80gms a day), eat at least 150 gms protein day + lots of fat, do a full body routine 2x a week, try to slow burn it to failure and each week keep adding weight in 5lb increments. What I do at the gym:
Barbell Military Press
Barbell Bench Press
Seated Rows
Lat Pull Down
Barbell Squats
Deadlifts (not to failure, I lift 200 lbs for 6 reps and working my way up to 1.5x my body weight)
Cheers!
John – I don’t know a soul in NZ sorry.
5 pound increases may be too much of an increase in some cases.
Sounds like a great routine! Remember to eat a good protein rich meal before training and after.