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WHAT AM I TRAINING FOR? (Goals, goals, goals)

15 April 2024

Gym Based Goals

So here's a quick question for you. Do you think it is important to have goals when it comes to training in the gym?

Hands up who has muttered these words, “I’m going on holiday in a few weeks so need to get ready for the beach!”

I know I have!

My personal belief is that it can be very helpful to have some gym based goals however if you don’t then that's also totally fine, we all work differently.

I have used all sorts of goals to help me with my own personal development.

Hey, the goal could be as simple as just showing up.

That is a great goal!

After all, consistency is the number one variable to success when it comes to training, by FAR!!!!!

Goal setting is a very personal thing. Each of us are on our own individual journey and this is true with the gym. As a trainer I try not to set people goals, I like clients to come up with their own goals so they are more invested, which means they are more likely to achieve them in my experience.

All goals are equal in my book.

If your goal is to feel better, have more energy and move more freely then that's great.

But also if your goal is to look amazing on your beach holiday then that is equally great.

I don’t have any judgement whatsoever when it comes to people's own personal reasons for coming to my gym and training, I'm just happy they are!

Here are just a few examples of goals that have been previously set:

Being able to do a full unassisted pull up within a year

Improve cardiovascular fitness to do the Great North Run

Better balance and stability to learn to surf

Now as you can see, the three examples I've given aren't based around losing weight, which I personally like because I feel putting the focus on something else is a more positive mindspace to be in. However, saying that, all three goals will help you lose weight as a byproduct. It’s a WIN WIN situation!

But that's not to say that having a certain target weight to hit is any less valuable as a goal! Again, it’s a very personal thing.

When clients set goals, it does help me as a trainer to put an appropriate program together.

Let's use one of these three examples of goals and come up with a plan of attack to utilise in the gym.

Being able to do a full unassisted pull up within a year.

Firstly we are going to see how far away you are from your goal. This gives us a base to work from. If you are actually reasonably close to being able to do a pull up then it might not take as long as you thought and on the flip side it could take a little longer. This is where managing expectations comes into play.

We would then come up with a sensible, periodised strength program that really focused on the ‘pull’ muscles that are needed to perform a pull up. This would include doing lots of assisted band pull ups, isometric hangs and eccentric lowering!!

I would put you on my climbing wall each session also to work on grip strength and core as well as the upper body. Along with the more important factor…FUN!!

The lighter you are, then the less you have to pull up to that bar so that's where cardio and nutrition comes into play (but still being utilised with the specific intent of having you be able to do a full pull up with in a year)

Lastly, I would ask you to do lots of walking in areas where there are an abundance of trees and each tree you pass with a branch at about the right height, get yourself up on it!! You probably think I am joking but honestly every little helps, training is all about consistency and accumulation so use every opportunity you can get!!

So as you can see, it is actually really good to have a specific goal so that we can then come up with a tailored program to help you achieve it and as i previously mentioned, the more you train for this goal, the more your lifestyle will shift in a positive direction without you necessarily trying too. This includes looking at your nutrition and your sleep quality and all of the other holistic elements of training that will help you in the gym.

Whether you set yourself goals or not, the destination might not be clear in the beginning but by enjoying the journey along the way, you can't go wrong.