Chicago skyline with snow on the ground

How To Stay Motivated To Reach Your Fitness Goals This Holiday Season

The holiday season is once again upon us, and for a lot of us, it’s a season full of good old family fun and cheer. Holiday parties stocked with seasonal snacks and festive drinks keep us busy, and when our alarms go off to tell us it’s time to hit the gym, we might think twice about braving the chilly Chicago morning air.

So, how can you stay motivated and on track to hit your fitness goals during this often chaotic and unpredictable time of year? And for the bravest (or craziest) of us who dare to face the crowded airports, how do you manage your workout schedule while traveling? Here are four ways to keep your eyes on the prize this holiday season.

Have A Plan

I know it sounds simple, but it’s always best to have a game plan, especially when it comes to your own health and fitness. You first need to build a foundation that will keep you accountable and on top of your own schedule. Pick a realistic amount of days you see yourself being able to make it to the gym. Choose a time on those days that works best for you – ideally a time where you feel most energized. Lock that time in your schedule as your own personal time and stick to it.

Related: How To Plan Your Weekly Workouts According To A Personal Trainer

After your days of the week and times are set, start to break down what you will be doing at the gym. If you’re in the gym three or more days per week, find a program split that works best for your goal. If you find yourself in the gym one or two times a week, put together a full body workout you can do on both days.

Have A Plan B

Like I mentioned, the holiday season can be unpredictable. If we don’t have a backup plan for the days when we really can’t make it into the club for a workout, we are bound to fail. Your Plan B can be as simple as having a go-to at home workout to do or having another day in your schedule that you can use as a backup time slot just in case.

Related: Try This Full Body Dumbbell Workout On Your Next Strength Day

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Find A Group Fitness Class You Love

Even when it’s too early and you’ve not had your coffee yet or you’re drained after a long day of work, booking a spot in the group fitness class is a great way to stay motivated this holiday season. The energy in a group fitness class is infectious. The music is pumping and the instructor has their eyes on all of you. Your only option is to give it your all.

Find a class with a focus you love or a coach that pushes you, and you’ll find a community that will keep you coming back. If you’re looking for a new class to try, check out my small group training class, Critical Hit, Fridays at 7 AM at FFC West Loop. The class is dedicated to mixed martial arts drills and kettlebell movements, and I might tell one too many corny jokes throughout the class.

Hire A Personal Trainer

This is my number one suggestion to help you stay motivated this holiday season, and it’s not just because I’m a personal trainer myself. Why would you want to add more work and complication to your life during an already stressful time? If you’re not sure what to do at the gym, or even just don’t want to do it, why not hire someone who specializes in motivating you?

A personal trainer has experience helping people reach their goals safely and successfully. As a coach, I spend tons of time writing workout programs, checking in with clients, running my personal training sessions or small group classes. Sometimes that leaves me too busy to write my own workouts, which is where my own personal trainer comes in to motivate and keep me accountable.

All in all, staying motivated during the holiday season doesn’t always have to take a toll. Remember that you always have options and support from those around you in your fitness community.

I’d like to close this topic out with a bonus option: Bring a friend or make a workout buddy. I know your workout can seem like a slice of alone time during your day, but it doesn’t have to be. Your friends and family can help keep you motivated and can push you in a way you’re comfortable with.

As always, I wish you luck in your fitness journey. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule a session, don’t hesitate to reach out! I can be reached at mriley@ffc.com. Happy holidays to all!

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Post written by FFC Personal Trainer Mike Riley.

Woman instructing a man on the Pilates apparatus

5 Common Misconceptions About Pilates

Have you ever curiously walked by the Pilates studio at your club wanting to try it (or give it another shot), but stopped yourself assuming that it wasn’t for you? You aren’t alone! The growing popularity of Pilates has piqued the interest of many, however the lack of familiarity has created a lot of questions and assumptions. Here are 5 of the most common misconceptions about Pilates that we encounter at our clubs.

1. Pilates is only for females

It can be misleading when you see a lot of females doing Pilates, however Pilates was originally created by a man, for men. Before creating the craft, Joseph Pilates was a professional boxer and circus performer, and he trained Scotland Yard in self-defense. The very Pilates equipment you see in your gyms today was inspired by injured soldiers. It wasn’t until Joseph Pilates moved to New York that females, especially the nearby ballet dancers, fell in love with the practice.

Man on Pilates apparatus

Today, more men and athletes are welcoming Pilates into their weekly workout schedules. Because Pilates helps increase core strength, muscle flexibility and mobility, it has become a popular and beneficial complement to any weight training or cardio routine. With extra focus on strengthening your weak muscle groups, you will be able to increase your weight load on the strength floor to help you achieve your goals.

Related: Yes, Manly Men Do Pilates

2. Pilates is too easy

During your time at the club, you may have glanced over at the Pilates studio to see an older member performing slow movement and thought that Pilates was too easy for your taste. Or perhaps you have taken an introductory class that you didn’t really ‘get’.

To be honest, if you don’t find Pilates challenging, you are probably doing it wrong.  Pilates is slowed down for better precision and activation of deeper and weaker muscle groups which can be challenging to find. Just like any other exercise routine, the more you practice Pilates, the faster, heavier, and more advanced it becomes.

Are you someone who has to sweat while working out to feel accomplished? We’ve got something for you, too. Ask about our plyometric Pilates option using the jump board!

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3. Pilates is only good for your abs

This is one of the common misconceptions about Pilates that is partially true, but Pilates isn’t only good for your abdominal muscles. The main focus of Pilates is strengthening your deeper core muscles to not only assist with every day posture and comfort, but to maximize your running, biking and lifting results. However, after the basic abdominal exercises are executed properly in Pilates, it becomes a full body workout.

Whether you are continually holding up your own body weight in mat class or pushing against the spring tension on the reformer, you will leave each session feeling like you moved every muscle in your body. In fact, many times we like to challenge the brain and work on many muscle groups at one time.

For example: instead of standing still and doing bicep curls like you would on the strength floor, in Pilates I would have you perform a bicep curl on the Reformer. Beginning in a sit up position with your feet not touching the ground (teaser position), you would then perform a bicep curl with our cables while balancing on a moving Reformer. It is a lot more fun and your workout flies by quickly.

Related: What Is Pilates Good For Anyway?

4. Pilates is only for flexible people

Pilates may look intimidating, especially when you see flexible people doing acrobatic moves on the apparatus, but that can be you! Pilates is meant to work on and increase flexibility, especially for those who do not consider themselves particularly flexible. When your muscles are overly tight, they are weaker and can only perform a small range of motion.

By adding Pilates into your current workout routine, your range of motion will increase, daily muscle tension will decrease, and your muscle recovery will be minimal. In turn, this will result in improved form and ability for longer runs and increased weight load.

5. All Pilates instructors and classes are similar

You may not have fully grasped your first go around with Pilates, but I am asking you to try another class or another instructor. We are lucky at FFC to have a diverse group of trainers, and I would be happy to recommend one to you according to your goals. 

No matter where you are or what your current exercise routine is, Pilates will benefit you in some way. If one of these common misconceptions about Pilates has kept you away from the studio, we encourage you to stop and say hello, take a moment to watch, or sign up for a complimentary session. We would love to have you!

Jamie Loger on a Pilates Reformer
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Post written by FFC Pilates Instructor Jamie Loger.