Strive For Impossble Perfection, by Matthew Romans

Nobody is perfect. This is what we have been told, probably since a very young age. To describe someone as a perfectionist has a slightly pejorative connotation. We tend to think of a perfectionist as someone that is never satisfied, unhappy, and generally difficult to be around. I believe it is possible to aim for and set a high standard and still have a positive mindset. At Total Results we strive for a perfection that is impossible to reach, and hope to achieve excellence along the way.

As instructors, we teach our exercise protocol according to an ideal standard that is based on the classical sciences: physics, biology, chemistry, and concepts of motor learning. It is our job to be critical. Sometimes that is difficult for clients to adjust to, but it's important to understand that we are not criticizing people personally. We will never yell at or demean any client that works with us. An important part of the learning process is alerting the learner of mistakes that are committed, so that corrections can be made. We seek perfection on every repetition of each exercise, with special attention being paid to speed of movement, pacing, turnaround technique, head and neck position, and breathing. I am of the belief that every form discrepancy, even one as seemingly minor as the entry or exit of each machine, should be acknowledged. The client needs to be constantly reminded of mistakes so that they can be corrected. Other instructors or trainers might let clients get away with these things, but we try to catch everything! It pays off in the end.

The client's quest for perfection should start with preparation. How well you sleep, eat, hydrate, manage activity level, and manage stress will have a big impact on your ability to focus on the task at hand: your workout. Clients that arrive promptly tend to be in the right frame of mind; it's difficult to focus if you are running late. Try to shut everything else out of your mind for the next 20 minutes so that you can prepare your mind and body for an intense muscular effort. This will allow you to really process your instructor's commands and carry them out. A laser-like focus and the ability to stay in the moment will enable you to concentrate on the minute details that translate into a more effective exercise stimulus, such as performing turnarounds and executing the squeeze technique. When your mind is free from distractions and you can simply focus on following instructions, you will notice a major difference in how you perform and how you feel when the workout is finished. This is something that is nearly impossible to achieve on your own in a commercial gym with inferior equipment. You need the ideal exercise environment at Total Results.

Our goal is to educate you and give you an exercise experience that you cannot find anywhere else. We will push you to a level of effort that most people can not achieve without someone guiding them. It's important to realize that nobody achieves perfection, not even exercise subjects that have exceptional mental focus and are very neurologically efficient. All of this attention to detail may seem trivial to some, but it makes a big difference as far as your safety and exercise stimulus are concerned. Let Total Results help you strive for perfection and achieve excellence today.