Setting Fitness Training Goals

<h1>Setting Fitness Training Goals</h1>Author: <a title="Scott White" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/scott-white/9124.htm">Scott White</a> Under the surface, every body is built the same. Each of us has an athlete's body buried down there somewhere – and we all have the ability to move like athletes. Some of us are just ahead of others in terms of our fitness progress. However, with appropriate nutrition, sleep and exercise, everyone can jump and move just like athletes do. This is how life is meant to be played, and our bodies are built for exactly this kind of movement!
Before you begin a training regimen, it is important to determine your specific training goals. Are you a professional athlete training to increase your level of performance? Are you a general health-and-fitness enthusiast who wants to slim down and feel great? Are you a physical laborer who wants a permanent solution for your back pain so you can start feeling strong and healthy again? Are you seriously overweight, and ready to make and stick to a life-changing commitment?
Only after you have determined your major health and/or fitness concern can you begin working toward that goal. For example, it wouldn't be very productive to train like a bodybuilder and put on a lot of nonfunctional muscle that weighs a ton if you had a goal to compete as a professional boxer. It is essential to identify your primary goal and remain focused on it without getting sidetracked into a training agenda that will only detour your success.
You must be specific when you design your training program, ensuring that it will accomplish the specific things you desire from it. Be clear and precise with your goals. Have a realistic timeframe. How much time are you willing to commit to this exercise program – per day, per week, per month? What is the best time of day to fit exercise into your busy schedule? Determine a time that will work, and adhere to it – no excuses. Admit honestly how far you are from achieving this goal, so you can gauge how long it's going to take to get from your starting point to that goal.
The most important thing is to design a program that is specifically tailored to your needs. A general one-size-fits-all plan, or one created for another individual, will not necessarily work for you. Your level and ability are different from others', as are your goals. So don't look to train like anyone else, and don't expect others to train like you.
Once you've identified your goals and designed a program to help you accomplish them, all that's left is to begin!
 About the Author: Scott White is a <a href="http://www.personalpowertraining.net/">certified personal trainer and nutritionist</a> located in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information about nutrition and fitness, reach Scott at <a href="mailto:swhite@personalpowertraining.net"> <a href="mailto:swhite@personalpowertraining.net">swhite@personalpowertraining.net</a></a>. Also: <a href="http://www.personalpowetraining.net/"> <a href="http://www.personalpowetraining.net" target="_blank">www.personalpowetraining.net</a></a>.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/setting-fitness-training-goals-57660.html" title="Setting Fitness Training Goals">Setting Fitness Training Goals</a>

Under the surface, every body is built the same. Each of us has an athlete's body buried down there somewhere – and we all have the ability to move like athletes. Some of us are just ahead of others in terms of our fitness progress. However, with appropriate nutrition, sleep and exercise, everyone can jump and move just like athletes do. This is how life is meant to be played, and our bodies are built for exactly this kind of movement!

Before you begin a training regimen, it is important to determine your specific training goals. Are you a professional athlete training to increase your level of performance? Are you a general health-and-fitness enthusiast who wants to slim down and feel great? Are you a physical laborer who wants a permanent solution for your back pain so you can start feeling strong and healthy again? Are you seriously overweight, and ready to make and stick to a life-changing commitment?

Only after you have determined your major health and/or fitness concern can you begin working toward that goal. For example, it wouldn't be very productive to train like a bodybuilder and put on a lot of nonfunctional muscle that weighs a ton if you had a goal to compete as a professional boxer. It is essential to identify your primary goal and remain focused on it without getting sidetracked into a training agenda that will only detour your success.

You must be specific when you design your training program, ensuring that it will accomplish the specific things you desire from it. Be clear and precise with your goals. Have a realistic timeframe. How much time are you willing to commit to this exercise program – per day, per week, per month? What is the best time of day to fit exercise into your busy schedule? Determine a time that will work, and adhere to it – no excuses. Admit honestly how far you are from achieving this goal, so you can gauge how long it's going to take to get from your starting point to that goal.

The most important thing is to design a program that is specifically tailored to your needs. A general one-size-fits-all plan, or one created for another individual, will not necessarily work for you. Your level and ability are different from others', as are your goals. So don't look to train like anyone else, and don't expect others to train like you.

Once you've identified your goals and designed a program to help you accomplish them, all that's left is to begin!

Scott White is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist located in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information about nutrition and fitness, reach Scott at swhite@personalpowertraining.net. Also: www.personalpowetraining.net.

Rate this Article:

4.3 / 5 stars - 3 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Related Articles
Related Q&A

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/setting-fitness-training-goals-57660.html

Article Tags: Weight Loss, Fitness, Goals, Personal Trainer

Latest Fitness Articles
More from Scott White

What You Can Do For a Broken Toe

By: Dr Andrew Schneider | 04/07/2009
Most people think that nothing can be done for a broken toe. With it, though, comes swelling and pain. This is especially true in Houston where many people prefer to walk barefoot due to the heat. This article discusses how to properly treat a broken toe.

Adult Neurogenesis

By: Michael Logan | 02/07/2009
Adult neurogenesis is real. We grow new brain cells on a daily basis. When you are my age, 61, that is good news.

Need a New Kettlebell Challenge? Try the Pistol Grip

By: Marcus Martinez | 02/07/2009
The Pistol Grip, or inverted, kettlebell position can add a crucial component to your kettlebell training. Up until now, the Pistol Grip kettlebell position has been seen as more of a feat of strength rather than an exercise variation that could be incorporated into your everyday kettlebell training routines. For those who don’t know, a Pistol Grip is when you hold the kettlebell upside down from the handle; this puts the ball portion of the kettlebell straight up in the air.

Unconventional Training is Taking Over

By: Marcus Martinez | 02/07/2009
Unconventional training methods are rapidly being incorporating into the fitness regimen of people around the world. Unconventional Training, defined as untraditional fitness methods involving kettlebells, Clubbells, sandbags, and other “old school” equipment is a huge departure from the common body building equipment and techniques that have been popular for decades.

Decrease Your Failure Rate: A Guide to Fitness Philosophy

By: Marcus Martinez | 02/07/2009
Like most things in life, guiding principles and philosophies can make decision-making much, much easier. These allow you to accomplish your goals without stumbling on common pitfalls. For example, let’s say your guiding principle is I want to lose weight. By simply reflecting on the principle when a difficult decision or situation presents itself, you’ll be more likely to choose wisely. Should you eat that piece of cake? Should you watch TV or workout for 10 minutes?

Dance Classes in Hong Kong – a guide to the best dance studios in Hong Kong

By: Elle Kealy | 02/07/2009
Hong Kong is a great place to come and live, and for many expats living abroad, taking up new hobbies is a way to meet people, build a social life and get out and see the country too. So no surprise then that dancing is such a popular form of exercise. But where can you go to dance in Hong Kong and how are dance classes different in Hong Kong to the rest of the world?

Wii Fit (Wii) - Best Choice to keep you fit

By: madeline | 02/07/2009
Wii Fit allows users to install the Wii Fit Channel straight to the Wii Menu, which allows them to compare fitness results and perform a Body Test without inserting the game disc.

The Sole F80 Vs The Sole F83: Why The Price Difference?

By: Travis Van Slooten | 02/07/2009
In today's market where there are plenty of treadmill choices available for consumers, a $200 price difference may seem like a lot. So what extra features could you get for this additional investment? In this Sole F80 vs Sole F83 comparison, you'll find out just what makes the later model slightly more expensive, and if the price is worth getting the upgraded treadmill.

Utilizing Social Media Optimization For Your Website

By: Scott White | 10/10/2008 | SEO
Involving your website into such social media websites such as youtube, can greatly increase your visibility on the internet, which can increase you search engine rankings.

Positive Thoughts Equal A Positive Attitude

By: Scott White | 10/10/2008 | Wellness
When you have a positive attitude it reflects in everything you do and resonates throughout your persona so that you can feel it as well as the people around you. If you think positively you will project positivity within your life and great things will come your way.

Improving Distance Running With Strength Training

By: Scott White | 26/08/2008 | Sports & Fitness
Incorporating a strength training program into your long distance running program could shave off minutes from your time, as well as make you stronger, faster and help you to avoid getting as winded.

Keeping Fit With Medicine Balls

By: Scott White | 05/06/2008 | Equipment
Medicine balls are a great new way to work out your muscles in much the same way as weight lifting, but without the rigidity and stress. This intense training program can get you into great shape.

The Benefits Of A Log Analyzer

By: Scott White | 05/06/2008 | SEO
A log analyzer is a great SEO tool to help you follow the traffic that your website receives, allowing you to improve your ranking within the major search engines.

How Workout Videos Can Help

By: Scott White | 18/03/2008 | Aerobics
Workout DVDs provide convenience to those who are unable to make it to the gym or who are too embarrassed to exercise in front of others. They also offer a variety of different fitness programs to keep your exercise routine fresh and challenging.

Improve Your Game 100% With Golf Fitness Training

By: Scott White | 18/03/2008 | Golf
Hiring a golf fitness trainer can help your improve your golf game, as well as giving you better health and fitness.

Just How Safe Is Hypnosis

By: Scott White | 29/02/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Various concerns about whether hypnosis is safe are discussed, such as who you should be vivisting for hypnotic treatment and what kinds of disorders are treatable.