My Top 3 Reasons to Participate in Fitness Events

Spring is here and it’s the time of year where many get excited about training for races and outdoor events. More and more opportunities are available these days, from 5K races to marathons, mud runs to ultimate adventure races, and sprint triathlons to ironman races. The opportunities are endless and so are the benefits. Here are my top three reasons why you should get outside and try an event…

 

1.  Goals Keep Us On Track

Compare these two statements:

• “I’m going to get fit this year.”
• “I’m going to run a 5K in three months.”

The first statement is open-ended and hard to measure. The second is much more specific and therefore, easier to work toward. You can’t start your journey without a destination in mind. Your destination, or goal, gives you direction and insight on how to get there. Goal-setting is a key aspect of any good fitness plan. Setting a goal to participate in an event or race, and training for the event are great ways to jumpstart or improve your fitness routine.

 

2.  Health and Fitness Variety

The most obvious benefit to participating in an event or race is the exercise involved in training. Safe and effective training is always good for you. From cardiovascular improvement to mulscular strength and endurance, the benefits are numerous. Even walks for a cause (cancer, homelessness, etc.) are good for getting your body moving. With so many event options to choose from, the variety itself can provide a very well rounded fitness routine as you focus on different goals throughout the year. I typically use the spring and summer months to focus on endurance training while the weather is nice and I can train outside. My workouts in the winter months usually center around indoor activities like strength training and cross-functional training.

 

3.  A Sense of Accomplishment

In my years as a personal trainer, I’ve found one of the most important things in establishing positive habit patterns is meeting goals you’ve set along the way. Nothing takes the wind out of your sails like failing to meet your milestones time after time. One of the great things about participating in events is that the goals are usually short-term, possibly over the course of a couple of months. Long-term goals like New Year resolutions can be harder to reach and sometimes weigh us down. Short-term goals keep us focused, are easier to maintain, and can be pieced together as part of a longer-term lifestyle change.

 

Endurance races and events can be a great jumpstart for those beginning a fitness program. They can also challenge those who are seasoned athletes. The important thing is to safely bring fitness into your current lifestyle. You’ll be surprised at the amount of personal satisfaction and reward you feel from following your plan, reaching your goal, and staying fit along the way!