Instructor’s Corner – April 2019
Yesenia Rivera – Group Exercise Coordinator
15 years Fitness Experience
Currently Instructs a variety of classes which include:
KickMax, HardCore, Zumba and Strong by Zumba.
- AFAA Group Exercise Certification
- Zumba Fitness License
- Multiple Zumba Fitness Specialties Licenses
- Strong by Zumba License
- Health & Wellness Student at Bay Path University
* Look for Instructor Profiles in each article of Instructor’s Corner! *
EXERCISE – Motivational Soup
By Yesenia Rivera your Group Exercise Coordinator at Century Fitness
In our society, we have developed an unhealthy relationship with food and have become less and less physically active which has made us one of the unhealthiest generations to date. Although there is plenty of evidence to support the benefits of exercising regularly and the recommendations from professionals and healthcare providers, many people with the best intentions for a healthier lifestyle end up quitting and turn away from achieving their health and fitness goals. Despite the current urgency and need for an increase in physical activity, most people who start with a fitness program end up abandoning their plans. A couple of reasons might be due to a lack of self-discipline and the absence of a good or strong support system, which in turn leads to loss of motivation.
As with many projects in life, starting a fitness journey or exercise program requires planning, commitment, and discipline for it to be successful. Studies show how social support concerning physical exercise and the support shown by the fitness instructors contribute to the basic needs to feel motivated to exercise continuously. Therefore, it is vitally important for anyone who starts a fitness or exercise program to have a strong support system. Fitness trainers and group exercise instructors not only set up a fitness program for their clients but offer the support needed and are a significant aspect for the achievement and maintenance of the active lifestyle. As important as it is to have the discipline to set up, establish and maintain an exercise program, and to have the support of fitness professionals, motivation will ultimately dictate the upkeep of any exercise or fitness plan.
Most people who set out on their fitness journeys start with great “steam,” but for some reason begin to retract and end up losing their motivation. Research suggests that about half of the people who begin an exercise program will drop out within the first six months. However, the big question remains. “How is it that some people appear to have all the motivation in the world to exercise and stay physically active and others do not?” In the many research studies that have been conducted not one specific reason can pinpoint individuals’ loss of motivation. Many factors will influence people to lead an active lifestyle. These factors include internal, external and environmental factors. In many cases, it is not just one factor that will motivate an individual to exercise but can be a combination of two or more. In the case of “self-motivated” individuals, they have the passion or internal motivation and require no external factors to exercise or train. On the other hand, those that rely on external factors will need support and discipline to stay motivated.
Here at Century Fitness we have a great team of Fitness Trainers and Group Exercise Instructors. If you are at that point where motivation seems to be running low, reach out to any one of us for advice, guidance and support. We gladly will help get you back on track to a better, fitter and healthier you!
Moreno-Murcia, J. A., Belando, N., Huéscar, E., & Torres, M. D. (2017). Social support, physical exercise and life satisfaction in women. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 49(3), 194–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rlp.2016.08.002
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/paguidelines/second -edition. Accessed Dec. 4, 2018.
Wilson, K. and Brookfield, D. (2009). Effect of goal setting on motivation and adherence in a six-week exercise program. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Physiology, 6, 89-100.
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