5 TIPS
FOR AN IDEAL
EXERCISE WEEK
nasty side effects. Being physically active also helps regulate the systems affected
by depression, improving sleep, boosting your mood and increasing your energy
levels. (As with all mental health issues, though, it is important to consult a medical
professional before changing treatment.)
6. Physical activity improves relationships
Fact: research has demonstrated a relationship between exercise and social
cohesion. Over the years I’ve developed friendships through my fitness activities.
I have an eclectic mix of ‘fitness mates’ with whom I do weights, swim, yoga, run,
play tennis, paddle, kick the footy, cycle, and go dragon-boat racing and skiing.
Through all these fitness activities, I have sustained old friendships and grown new
bonds.
7. Physical activity improves your sex life
Fact: pumping in the gym improves the quality of ‘pumping in the bedroom’. Come
on. If the first six reasons haven’t fired your client up, this might do the trick! Staying
in shape improves circulation and boosts testosterone. Exercise also improves
your self-esteem.
These seven compelling reasons for making physical activity part of everyday
life have nothing to do with the way your clients look. If you could sell your clients a
potion that achieved all of these benefits, they’d pay you thousands of dollars. But
there is no potion – just putting one foot in front of the other and moving whenever
they can. And the bonus? Regular fitness training will change their body shape and
make them look better. But they should consider that an added benefit, not the
main reason why they should make training a lifelong habit.
This is an edited extract from Andrew’s book MatchFit ($35.00), now available
from good book stores and at andrewmay.com/books
1. Move lots
Walk at least 10,000 steps
every day and include relaxed
cycling, swimming and other
steady-state cardio activities.
Once a week walk barefoot on
grass or sand.
2. Bend your bits
Incorporate five to 10 minutes
of stretching most days. Or
substitute one yoga or Pilates
class each week. Every day,
reset your postural cues.
3. Lift heavy stuff
Two to three times a week do
resistance training and add
key primal movements like
deadlifts, squats, bench press,
chin-ups, lunges and twists.
Add balance exercises too.
FOR REFERENCES CLICK HERE
Andrew May 4.High-intensity bursts
Andrew is recognised as one of the world’s leading strategists on
workplace performance and wellbeing. He presents inspiring keynotes
around the globe and is the author of MatchFit. Andrew is coach and
confidante to a number of Australia’s leading CEO’s and executives, elite
athletes and performing artists. Two to three times a week
include HIIT. Ideally do
this mixed into a cardio or
resistance training session
including short, sharp sprints.
LISTEN UP!
5. Add variety and play
In his chat with The Fitness Industry Podcast,
Andrew May discusses resilience, daily pause
points, scar tissue and why we need to unplug
in order to reconnect with ourselves.
Click here to listen to ‘Resilience, rubber
backsides
and
the
importance
of
disconnecting from tech’.
Engage in regular fitness play
and have fun. Add ‘seasonal
fitness’ adapting activities
throughout the year. Make
fitness social and fun.
NETWORK SPRING 2019 | 39