Why You’ll Never Find the Perfect Workout

In the final installment of the fitness and finances analogy, I want to explore the saying: “The best is the enemy of the good.”

What does this mean? It’s describing the phenomenon of perfectionism. For many of us, we are trapped by the need to have it all figured out before starting. Once we have the perfect plan, the ideal strategy, or have figured out the theory behind something, then, and only then, can we take action. This often stops us from doing anything.

The Best is the Enemy of the Good

Now, any of us can while away hours on the internet, finding out what really is the most effective workout or diet plan. You will find many personal trainers preaching, “Anything is NOT better than nothing! You need to do it the RIGHT way to get results!”

I get where they’re coming from and I respect their opinions and experiences, but my philosophy is that – actually – it’s better to do anything than nothing.

Why?

We Learn From Experience

Knowledge is important, but those personal trainers that emphasize having the perfect plan forget the all-important human phenomenon of learning. For non-elite athletes, fitness is a journey that needs to be fit into the context of family life, schedule, and other demands. Under those circumstances, people learn by experience and by trial-and-error what is effective and what is not.

Yes, we often make mistakes when we strike out on our own with imperfect knowledge. But at the rate that research and public opinions change, it’s important to keep the focus on staying active, doing your best, and acting on the best information that you have.

The Perfect Workout or Diet

Yes, research does support that particular workouts will move you closer to various goals. If you want to lose fat, high-intensity intervals and a more scrupulous diet will move you in the right direction. If you want to gain muscular size and definition, targeted, high-volume strength training and lots of protein will get you there. For sheer strength, low-volume and high-weight lifting is the way to go.

However, all types of exercise improve your general health, mood, and fitness. My advice to the casual exerciser, even one who wants to get into fairly good shape, is this: do anything! If you’re dedicated, you’ll figure out over time what type of exercise is the best fit with your lifestyle and goals.

There is no “perfect” workout or diet in the abstract. Exercises or food plans are only effective as much as you do them.

Of course, that is where personal trainers come in – we can shorten the path from imagination to reality very quickly by getting you into a consistent and reliable routine with high motivation and accountability. One of the joys of my career is helping people tap into the best version of their own personal fitness vision.

However, if you want the “perfect workout” for you, don’t scour the internet, read/post articles about fads, and jump into trendy group classes. Hire a personal trainer.

Real Estate Investing Seminars

What trendy workouts remind me of are the here-now-gone-in-a-second investment whims that strike people who want to get rich quick. These people read books about trendy real estate investing, play on the internet by looking at listings, and may even go to open houses, but never actually get the front money together to secure a mortgage on an investment property.

The similarity, in my mind, is the idea of the “new thing” – the greatest next investment trend that will make you rich in a better, faster way than ever before.

Do people get rich quick in real estate? Yes. Do people get fit quick using a “perfect” plan? Yes. But the people who find success have one thing in common: They do something.

Be a Do-er

Just like in the financial world, in which the ones who really become rich are the ones who are bold enough to find investors, fund an idea, and take responsibility for furthering their vision, the ones who experience success in fitness are the ones who actually adopt a regular exercise routine and healthy diet and follow through.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Knowledge is power, but must be combined with action to be effective. Educate yourself. Read books, articles, and talk to professionals about your wellness plan, just like you would about your retirement or other long-term investments such as real estate.

But the only thing that will make it effective is if you do it.