Turn workouts up a notch

I recently had an epiphany while watching one of my clients on the treadmill. We don't push ourselves enough, I thought. I've known this for quite some time; nonethe-less this was a solid example.

My client had come in early to do some extra cardio. I was very pleased to see her doing this. As I finished up with another client, I noticed that although she had been on the treadmill now for at least 15 minutes, she had yet to break a sweat. At the pace she was moving, I wasn't sure she'd ever break one.

I asked her to check her heart rate using the electronic handgrips on our treadmill. This confirmed my assumption. Next, I grabbed a calculator, did some quick math and brought it to her attention that she would not start burning fat until she hit a much higher heart rate.

I let her know that while I was pleased to see her come in to do some extra cardio and that she was getting some benefit, to make efficient use of her time and burn fat, she would need to pick it up a notch. She did, and after she finished she thanked me for the push and realized that she actually felt much better.

One thing I often do with my business, my own life and my team of employees is to look where we are just being average. I believe a strategy like this helps bring us closer to being our very best everyday.

So, in what area of life are you being average? If you were to grade your workout intensity, for example, on a scale of 1-10 where would it be? If it's less than a 10, I challenge you to visit us at Fontana Fitness or sign up for our Boot Camp. We'll quickly show you how much more you can get out of yourself and increase your daily energy level as well. Many people rate their workout intensity a 6 or 7 out of 10, but that's not good enough. You are not average. How can you take it up a notch and get out of that average zone?

First, realize that your body can handle so much more than you are probably challenging it to do. Make an extra effort each day to push harder and go a bit farther. Get one more repetition or set in, speed up the treadmill, or add just

10 minutes to your workout.

Second, make a CD of music that motivates you. Music can be a great way to boost enthusiasm. I have a CD of old "Rocky" songs that I play when I need a little more motivation. Find what works best for you, and keep it handy.

Get a partner or teammate. A good trainer will be able to see the best in you and then pull that out of you. Even having a partner who can push you will do wonders to take you to another level. This could be as simple as grabbing a friend for a walk and making a commitment to walk more than talk.

Make the effort today to turn it up a notch. I promise that your body will thank you for it.

Troy Fontana is the owner of Fontana Fitness in Sparks. Contact him at 331-6918 or by e-mail at getfit@fontanafitness.com