Rocco Sorace looks at barriers to exercise and how we can overcome them.

It’s 6:30am, the alarm goes off, and all you want to do is snuggle under the covers for that extra half hour. You consider sleeping in for a bit longer, but this means skipping that morning workout you promised yourself…

Sound familiar? Many of us struggle with situations like this far too often!

The most common reasons we fail to exercise include lack of time, inability to get to a gym, lack of motivation, fear of injury and misconceptions about exercise. These barriers have caused up to 70% of us to sacrifice regular physical activity, an element that is as vital to our health and well-being as food, water and shelter.

By taking a closer look at the barriers that keep us glued to our couches, I hope to help anyone out there who is struggling to overcome them!

“I don’t have enough time to exercise.”

Studies show that if we commit just 30 minutes a day to some physical activity, health and well-being can improve dramatically.

Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk during your lunch break, kick the footy or play some Frisbee, there are plenty of ways to keep active.

“I don’t have the energy to exercise.”

It can be a struggle to get moving at times, but I can guarantee once your body becomes accustomed to regular workouts, energy levels will soar and sitting still is the only struggle!

When we exercise, endorphins (aka “happy hormones”) are produced and released into the body, causing an overall sense of happiness, relaxation and well-being.

“I can’t get to a gym” or “I don’t like gyms!”

These days you don’t need a gym to keep fit. You can hire a Mobile Personal Trainer who will come to you and provide training programs catered to your specific needs and goals.

Boot camps are also ideal as they present the opportunity to workout in a number of different environments.

“Exercise is boring”

Choose something you enjoy, whether it’s dancing, a sport, or having a personal trainer devise a program that caters for your likes and dislikes. Ensure you mix up your exercise routine, so you’re not taking part in the same activity every day. This way our minds stay motivated and our bodies stay challenged.

“Exercise is too painful” or “I’m afraid I’ll injure myself”

Disregard the old saying “no pain, no gain”. Exercise does not and should not be painful to be beneficial and effective for those of us who wish to exercise for the sake of general health. A moderate level of activity will suffice.

At no stage during a workout should any pain be experienced, and if it is, stop the activity immediately.

So next time the alarm goes off and you’re tempted to put off your workout regime until “next week”,  remember all the benefits of exercise awaiting you, pull on those trainers and get yourself on the track towards achieving the optimal health, fitness and well-being you deserve!

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