You can be a class above all
Classes cater for everyone Far from being just an excuse to skip a class, there are many real barriers – physical and psychological – that stop people exercising.
From feeling nervous at the thought of entering a room of new people to wondering how your knees will hold up under a set of burpees, procrastination can stem from genuinely good reasons.
However, with over one hundred classes and sports clubs across Perth and Kinross and an excellent range of services that include one-on-one sessions in the pool or gym, the chances are there is something there to help you lead a happy, active life – you just need to honestly establish why you’re avoiding exercise in the first place.
Largely speaking there are three main reasons:
1. Fear: This comes in many varieties – fear of pain, fear of failure, fear of looking silly. If it’s pain or illness related issues you’re having then speak to your GP for an Activity Referral to ensure your plan is gradual, safe and tailored to you. This service offers initial one-on-one assessment and small classes with highly trained instructors.
The psychological reasons are a bit trickier to overcome but remembering that every single person once took that first step does help. As does asking a friend to join you. We don’t mind letting ourselves down, but we don’t want to let someone else down.
2. Resentment: Maybe you resent“having to exercise”. If you’re doing it because you feel you have to or because someone else has told you to, it does make it harder to start. To combat this, write down all the reasons why you want to exercise and put the list somewhere you’ll see it regularly.
Then try turning your should or have to into a want. “I want to go to class”is more positive and will help your brain become motivated. Simple but effective.
3. Boredom or Dislike: Saying you hate sports or hate going to the gym is a common excuse but Perth and Kinross currently has over one hundred weekly classes and sports clubs, multiple pools and gyms. It may take a few different tries but you will find an activity or exercise that you enjoy – remember what you liked as a kid and ask one of the instructors what they’d recommend.
After this, it’s as simple as sticking at it for three weeks. It only takes 21 days for a new habit to become a routine so just a short period of conscious endeavour will quickly give way to a new lifestyle choice. Whether it’s a class every Friday lunchtime, or doing a gym session a couple of mornings or evenings a week, you will quickly build up a desire to go.
Finally, make sure to set some goals and give yourself a small reward when you reach them. It really does make it all worthwhile.
If you’d like more information on starting a new exercise routine then ask at any Live Active Leisure venue for help and assistance or visit www.liveactive.co.uk.
Why not take advantage of their Fit into Festive, 12 week membership for only £50 which goes on sale October 8 and starts October 21.