Fit for your life… or an apocalypse?

These days, there is a real leaning towards training for physical challenges that are way beyond what we are likely to actually need in our life. Is this trend of pushing our bodies so hard an attempt to compensate for the lack of physicality in the rest of our lives, I wonder?

If you are actually preparing for an apocalypse (I did have one client who felt he was), then go ahead, that makes sense. But, honestly, if not, don’t do this to your body! Find some middle way, an approach that builds your strength, stamina, flexibility & energy and that you can sustain (& perhaps even gently increase) for the rest of your life.

Please note, I am speaking to my ideal client here, & my approach is about avoiding burnout of all sorts. I have seen clients’ bodies deteriorate because of the amount of ‘battering’ early on in their lives – some were fine with all the problems they have now, they’d enjoyed their time… others had not imagined a loss of so much of their physical selves.

You have to decide, ultimately, what you want long term. My aim, through my bodywork sessions & any after care I suggest, is to get you to a good place (if you’re not there already!) & enable you to stay there. Maintenance takes more time as you get older, so the more you do when you’re young, the more you’ll need to ramp it up as you age… Again, your choice…

I’m heading towards 70 now, & of slim build, & have never been drawn to ‘extreme’ physical challenges. Frankly, my life was challenging enough in other ways & I’ve always wanted to stay on an even keel, if possible, managing the chaos of everyday life!! I’ve had to be philosophical about my overall fitness, at times, & maybe this is why I want to offer a more ‘normal’ version to my clients. If you want to train for an apocalypse, I am probably not the massage therapist for you!! If you’d like to be in ‘reasonable’ physical condition for the rest of your life, I might well be!!