Why Do YOU Train? - Indianapolis Fitness And Sports Training
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Why Do YOU Train?

written by Mike Robertson

by Mike Robertson

MIKE IFAST5x7

IFASTSuch a simple question, yet (most likely) a loaded answer.

I first started “training” when I was in high school. As an avid basketball player, I was willing to do anything necessary to take my game to the next level.

I was already accustomed to spending hours upon hours in the gym working on my game.

Whether it was dribbling drills, shooting drills, or simply working on my footwork, I knew that any little advantage would pay off.

Beginning a workout routine was a logical next step, and I thought it would definitely improve my game. (And if it made me look like LL Cool J, too, then all the better!)

Needless to say, it didn’t take long to see the difference.

All of a sudden there was more zip on my passes, more range on my jump shot, and the upper-classmen who came back in the summers weren’t pushing me around anymore.

Once my athletic career started to wrap up, I needed an outlet. Powerlifting was an obvious choice, as it allowed me to continue to be competitive, while putting all of my energy into the “training” side of the equation.

I competed in powerlifting very heavily for five years, and still consider myself a powerlifter in a lot of ways. Kind of like the Godfather, “Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in!”

But nowadays, training means something quite a bit different. I still want (and need!) to push the heavy iron, but I’m also striving for more balance.

Pushing weight is fine, as long as I continue to move well.

And “moving” has taken on a new meaning, too, since I’m constantly chasing around two kiddos every time I come home!

What I’m getting at here is that the “why” behind our training is different for everyone. And what’s even more interesting is that it can change drastically for each of us at different periods of time in our life.

Some people are focused on getting healthy, so they can live longer, happier lives.

Some want to get into shape, or take their physique to the next level.

And others want to improve their athletic performance.

So my simple (but loaded) question for you is this:

Why do YOU train?

If you have a few seconds, please share via the “Comments” section below. Thanks!

All the best

Mike

Mike Robertson

10 Comments

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  1. I may seem preposterous by giving my opinion in this blog:I ‘m over 80 ,I was a very good High Level athlète younger ( Soccer and Tennis ) ,now I just play golf for fun .( Three Times 18 holes per week )
    But I do train very systématically ,not by “lifting weights ” ,but by stretching and strengthening in golf spécific exercices ,with rubber bands ,dumbells and golf spécific training aids ,together with Cardio exersises .
    My Golf partners are always surprised when playing with me ,as I hit the Ball long and straight and when they see the accuracy of my short game .
    I endeavor to work on explosiveness more than on strength .
    M’y handicap has increased ,but I Still play off a 7 handicap in compétitions .
    Then I walk m’y big German Shepherd dog 2 hours per day and play with him, ,which is also exercising !

  2. I train for health/feeling good/longevity as a main goal, with the assumption that this includes aesthetic improvement and strength as necessary corollaries. Thanks for the post.

  3. Hi Mike – this is indeed a salient question and reminded me of the importance of the reason why I personally am back into regular training now. A few months ago I had surgery to repair my leaking mitral heart valve and training took on a whole new significance and dimension for me. Instead of training as I had in the past for both performance (ski professioanl) and muscular development (body sculpting comps), I had to go back to the basics in hospital of learning how to breathe again. I had a few complications, so spent a bit longer in the ICU than expected, and would lie in my hospital bed working quietly on contracting my core muscles as well as my leg muscles for the day i would be allowed to sit up and then walk – to the bathroom! I’m pleased to say I’m well past that point now, but am still feeling my way forward with my training. “Doing cardio” has taken on new meaning – and it has nothing to do with getting lean or even performance sports-ready. Training is more about learning to trust my body again and taking pride in smaller but more significant steps. As a personal trainer, this re-learning has humbled me, re-enforced my appreciation of the knowledge I do have, and reminded me to never take simple things like having the strength and lung capacity to take a breath for granted again.

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