Ask ten different people and you will get ten different answers.
There are so many reasons to exercise. We do it for better health- to have more quality years with those we love. We do it to get stronger and improve appearance. Some of us do it for competition, while some might just like how stylish- and comfortable- gym clothes are.
But deep down, I think it’s something bigger than all of those.
Achieve what was perceived as impossible
When we train, we set goals. Take running for example. Usually the first benchmark to determine your running fitness is a 5k. Then a 10k. Half marathon, followed by full marathon. Then the Iron Man. When you first set off, running for more than 5 minutes may seem impossible. But with consistent effort and commitment, you will eventually be able to hit that 5 minute mark, then a 5, 10k and so on.
Seeing the progress you make is often times the biggest motivator to keep training, and it should be. Pushing your body to do something today that it was not able to do in the past is tangible proof that your training is working. And once you start to see these results, it becomes addictive.
Never ending journey
We know that we can always be better, and that’s what we push for. With the running example, every race you conquer is time for a celebration to recognize how far you’ve come. But after the party is over, what’s next? Anything you want. You can try to beat your previous times. You can ‘change fields’ to take on something new like biking, swimming, weight lifting, basketball… the possibilities are practically limitless. There is no end when we train. One finish line is simply the start of another race.
Become part of something bigger
Whether you belong to a mega gym, go to weekly yoga classes, or train all by yourself, you are part of something bigger. You are part of a community of millions of people working every day to get better. While you are pushing yourself, know that you are not alone. At that very moment, there are thousands of people around the world pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their training. When you are putting everything you have into your training and pass someone else who is doing the same- be it in the gym, on the field, on the track- you share an immediate bond with them. You each know the effort the other is putting in and the challenges you are overcoming. This turns complete strangers into family for a brief moment, united in the art of training. It is a beautiful thing.
There are countless reasons why we train. Whatever your reason is, keep it up. When you dedicate yourself, mind, body and soul to something, you are able to achieve things that right now seem impossible.
If you are just beginning to train for something, or haven’t begun yet, remember this: a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Hitting your goals is hard. It takes effort, discipline and total commitment. Know that you are not alone. Know that the work you put into it is worth it. Know that when you eventually achieve your goals you will have accomplished something that is truly cause for celebration.
But also know that once you achieve your goals you are not finished; you simply end one chapter and start a new one, one that you can write however you see fit. And that is why we train, because no matter how good we get, there is always something else for us to take on down the road.
Written By: Vince