Executive Fitness can be a Difficult Dream

by Dale Garrison

Although healthy lifestyles and consistent exercise can be a challenge for anyone, busy executives and others with stressed schedules face unique obstacles.

 

“Time is always an issue for a lot of people in business,” noted Chris Spears, owner and trainer at the Fitness Together
- West Plaza training studio. “They’re not the only ones who face difficulties, but that may be the one thing they’re facing
that is the most challenging.”

Spears noted that facilities such as his offer several advantages, from individual trainers who help clients get the most of their workouts to “training suites” that reduce distractions and allow for quick movement from exercise to exercise. Although anyone can benefit from such programs, the concept is especially helpful for professionals or executives who work out during their lunch hour.

“We maximize the time they have to work out so they get the most efficient workout possible,” he explained. “Clients don’t waste time walking to machines that are on the other side of a gym. I also think the trainer makes a big difference. People say they can work out on their own, but you cannot push yourself as hard without a trainer. The intensity is difficult to match when you’re by yourself.”

Another factor involves accountability: having someone checking your effort regularly makes you keep on a program you might otherwise skip. Although allowances are made for travel or other unavoidable interruptions, subtle “pressure” from a set plan and regular appointments tend to keep people on track. “You’re going to be there on time or I’m calling,” Spears laughed. “We do develop a connection, but it’s kind of a love-hate relationship.”

Although weight loss, muscle tone and other issues are important, the need for stress reduction may be the most
valuable result for many. “Many people have stressful careers and exercise is really a way to release,” Spears said. “The trainer is telling them what to do and they don’t even have to count. It’s a really great way to forget about your pressures for a while.”

Medical Director Troy Burns, M.D., of the Men’s Health Clinic stresses a well-rounded program that includes eating right in addition to exercise. “It’s not enough just to work out,” he noted. “It’s all the leverage for weight loss.”

Dr. Burns agrees that active executives—both men and women—face challenges because of everything from frequent traveling to restaurant meals. He believes those excuses are often overplayed, however. “There’s almost no restaurant where you can’t eat healthy if you want to. The problem is the temptation of the food and that menu description. You can choose not to eat the basket of chips on the table. You just don’t.”

Another widespread pitfall involves people who focus too much on just one component, exercise or eating, when both are factors in good health. “It’s all about what you eat,” he said. “But no one keeps it off unless they also have a daily exercise program.”

Many people actually make exercise more of a challenge than necessary. Exercising too hard is as counterproductive
as exercising too easily, at least in terms of weight maintenance. For most people, consistency is the critical factor.

“When you really go hard, you enter aerobic exercise and you’re basically burning muscle, not fat,” he said. “It’s also
not just cardiovascular exercise that you need, or just resistance/ weight training. You need both.”

 

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