Making the Switch:

It’s official: fitness enthusiasts are looking beyond a simple workout routine to an overall wellness experience.  As many who flock to gyms and fitness centers realize that their routines may not be helping them to cope with stress and other life factors, gym instructors are recommending a Mind/Body balance in a routine to provide a holistic wellness result.

But while it may sound ridiculous to say that switching from a normal workout to a Mind/Body routine is like switching from coffee to tea, lots of trainers are reporting difficulties in getting their clients into a Mind/Body space, and it turns out there’s some strength to the metaphor.

A traditional “power workout”, your mix of cardio and strength training (i.e. elliptical machine plus free weights) gets the body feeling pumped.  It gives the user a physical rush.  And for a lot of us, the fitness routine ends there.  But while Mind/Body training may not give the same immediate thrill, it provides long terms benefits, from good overall core muscle conditioning, to agility, de-stressing, and mental clarity.

So how do you make the switch and “wean” the body from the raw-power track into something more balanced?  Trainers and others have identified a few ways to handle the transition.

Bust the “Sitting Around” Myth
Some people are turned off by Mind/Body work (such as yoga or pilates) because they see it as too easy, too passive, and not enough oomph for the short time they may have to train.  But, often, a closer look reveals that these activities do include challenging muscle work.  It’s just a case of doing the research on Mind/Body routines.  Some good books or videos, or a good instructor, can do the trick.

Go Slowly

As with any other similar transition, it’s important to start out slow with getting your Mind/Body work integrated into a routine.  Start with just a couple of minutes at the end of your routine as a concentrated cool-down.  In fact, this is ideal for a Mind/Body component: stretching and centering at the end of a routine can give you many of the benefits of this kind of work in a short time period.  Then, you can gradually add amounts of stretches, yoga, pilates, or core work as necessary.  You don’t have to “throw out” your cardio and weight training in order to include some powerful new activities.

Anticipate the Challenge

Just like with the power workouts for newbies, a Mind/Body routine including challenging poses or activities can make participants a little uncomfortable at first as new muscle groups undergo transformation. Learning to adapt to that challenge is a good thing.  However, as with any fitness activity, if the discomfort becomes more than just an annoyance, and turns into significant pain, don’t just blindly stick with it: consult a doctor or change components to lessen the chance of injury.

In the end, how successful a person is in getting Mind/Body work into their fitness session has a lot to do with willpower.  Those willing to try new things will reap the benefits, while the stoic traditionalists may miss out.  Evaluating a range of books and videos will help you to see what kind of activities are right for your routine.