I started in the health and fitness industry
28 years ago today.
I’m not sure how that is possible as I remember walking in to what was the Warwickshire Racquets and Health Club for my first day of training like it was yesterday.
I was originally employed as a lifeguard and to cover the gym floor, going pat-time when I started my final year at uni doing sports biomechanics and exercise physiology.
Studying and working in the industry helped secure the
information in my brain as I was continuously experimenting and applying my knowledge. I still really like “see / learn, do, teach” as a learning option.
I’ve managed teams, trained and assessed trainers, written and ran national fitness competitions, had business success, business failures and helped 1000’s of people find THEIR way to better health.
During the 28 years the fitness industry has seen infinite amounts of change, new
methods based on the same principles marketed to sound cool and new.
The same things work now that worked then though.
Be consistent.
Eat lots of vegetables, some good quality meat, carbs to match your activity output, all in a meal plan that you can maintain long term.
Exercise in a way that brings you joy and gets your muscles to a point of fatigue,
gives you a sweat and gets you breathless.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Manage stress.
Prioritise sleep and recovery.
Get those right and you will get to where you want to be. It might take a little longer than the flash insta methods but the results will last longer too.
Thank you for being part of my journey so far and I
hope you will continue to read my ramblings for many years to come.
Darren “28” Checkley