Exercise is undeniably beneficial for health, yet simply telling people to do more of it rarely leads to lasting change. According to fitness expert Ben Carpenter, the problem lies in a lack of empathy: 'Fitness professionals are hardcore exercise enthusiasts who often don’t know how to empathise with people who are not also hardcore exercise enthusiasts.' This creates a divide between regular exercisers and those who struggle to start.
For those who don’t exercise regularly, high-intensity workouts recommended by enthusiasts can feel unnatural and unpleasant. The key, experts suggest, is to start where you are, not where you want to be. There is no one-size-fits-all plan; individual factors like genetics, environment, and experience mean the same routine affects people differently.
A better approach is to find a routine that meets your current fitness level. For beginners, adding small healthy behaviours—such as an extra portion of fruit, a walk, or a short mobility session—can yield significant improvements. For seasoned athletes, progress requires upgrading intensity, like quickening paces or adding weight to lifts.
Coach Chris Hinshaw emphasises the importance of early success: 'The first bite of the apple has to taste good.' He gave a powerlifter a beginner sprinting drill he could excel at, spurring further progress. Over time, exercise does become enjoyable, as illustrated by 47-year-old David Keohan, who transformed from an obese smoker to a world champion kettlebell lifter. 'I got bitten by the bug of feeling good,' he said. 'Once you start to feel good, it’s amazing, and you realise how bad you felt for the last 10 years.'
