IT'S OKAY TO "ONLY" WORK OUT ONCE PER WEEK
Don't let Instagram keep you from getting stronger and more fit.
Have you ever seen a gym ad featuring someone with a six-pack and thought "oh I want that, so I'm going to join"?
I'm guessing that's a hard no? Maybe instead you thought "oh wow, I will not fit in there" and then felt a bit down because you know you should exercise, and you know strengthening in particular is really good for you, but you sure as hell aren't going to workout in a place full of 20-somethings with six-packs.
I hear you. The picture on the left is the only type of six-pack I've ever cared about, and I've never seen a gym that has them.
Hi, my name is Elsbeth, and I'm a personal trainer and the owner of Custom Strength, a small gym in Ottawa, Canada. I became a personal trainer because I was a giant nerd when it came to exercise and because I yearned for a job where I got to help people. When I tell you I used to be an electronic warfare engineer, that yearning might make sense.
My engineering career was good sometimes, but most of the time I felt like I was in the wrong place. Then one day, while reading a strength and conditioning textbook (for fun) when I should have been working, I realized I needed to make a change. It was easily the best decision I have ever made, and if I could go back in time, I would 100% make that decision again.
One of the cool things about walking away from a lucrative career for something completely different, is that you do it with a new mindset. In my case, I new I had to let who I am shine through in my work. It felt necessary after so many years of doing work that wasn't me.
Fast forward almost 15 years and my gym is the kind of place I want to hang out: a place full of all sorts of people, with all sorts of bodies and all sorts of jobs and families and lives. It's so fun! And it turns out it's also fun for the people who work out there - some of whom have been clients for more than 10 years.
Want to know what they're not all doing? Coming to the gym 3 times per week.
Most come once or twice per week for 55 minutes. That's all.
Want to know what they are all doing? They're getting stronger. And more fit.
And they are noticing lots of little improvements:
Like being able to go up the stairs more easily.
And being able to garden without their backs yelling at them.
And being able to lift their own carry-on into the overhead.
And keeping up with their soccer-playing tweens.
As I watched my clients enjoy friendly conversations while they worked out, I thought about the six-pack ab gym ads, and the trainers who won't take someone as a client unless they will commit to 3 hours per week. I didn't get it.
Why is this industry pushing regular people away? It's not good for their business, and it's terrible for the people who learn that working out isn't for them.
Working out is for them! And for you! And you don't have to want to look like a model to do it! Nor do you have to dedicate a huge part of your life to do it!
I have had that conversation in my head a lot of times.
Then one day I started to put it on paper. It started as a blog, but I kept going, adding sections about:
How long a work out has to be (probably not as long as you'd think)
whether you need special clothes (only if you love to shop)
whether it's okay to work out at home
what equipment you need (probably less than you'd think)
what you should do as your workout (there are four specific plans included, all intended for people who are new to working out).
how to get yourself moving when you don't feel like it
what to do if an exercise hurts
what to do if you really hate an exercise
Over time, that thought that became a blog post had become an ebook.
If you're someone who wants to start getting stronger, but is turned off about going to the gym, or isn't sure what to do or how to go about it, this ebook is for you.
It's my attempt to "bottle" what we do at Custom Strength, because somehow Custom Strength has blossomed into this great little spot where people come to get a little stronger and a little more fit without being pressured into doing more than is right for them.
Here are some of the reviews my clients have left on Google:
I hope this ebook helps you start (and enjoy) working out like they did
(Your body will thank you if you do)
And it's my hope that within a month of buying it, you'll have done 3 workouts and have a date and time set to do your 4th.
How to Start Working Out ebook
A simple guide to help you realize working out is for you, and including 4 workout plans, created with people who are new to working out in mind.
My "You're going to like this"
Guarantee
I really, really, really, really hope this ebook helps you to start working out regularly. I'm so eager for this, that if it doesn't, I'll send back every penny you paid.
