Sweat, strain, and … SELF-SABOTAGE? 3 surprising reasons why the gym might be breaking you down

A friend recently called to ask a few questions about my upcoming Functional Fitness for ANY body! class. She's a healthy and fit gym-regular so she really doesn't appear to need more information about exercise BUT (she sheepishly confessed) she SECRETLY doesn't actually enjoy working out in the gym and would love an excuse to cancel her membership.

Before she cuts her nose off to spite her face, however, she was wondering if my class is only for exercise novices? When I told her this class not only perfect for her, it's perfect for EVERYONE, she was surprised (as I'm sure you are now.)

So let’s unpack this … here are 3 reasons why gym workouts AREN'T always good for your health (and why it’s time we should all rethink what the word “fitness” really means!)

1. Most gym workouts aren’t truly functional.

The truth is, most gym machines were originally designed for rehab, not for building real-world strength. And those high-intensity “CrossFit-style” routines? They’re often so extreme and unsystematic that it’s not usually a question of if you’ll get injured — it’s when.

Being functionally fit simply means being able to move confidently, comfortably, and capably throughout your day — not just adding more plates to a bar or miles to a treadmill. You don’t need a gym full of machines to achieve that. All you really need is a water bottle, maybe a chair or stretchy band, and (of course) your own body.

2. Fitness without recovery and nourishment isn’t fitness at all.

Building lasting strength and mobility isn’t just about movement — it’s about supporting your body with whole-food nutrition and relaxation practices that help it repair and thrive. Without those pieces, even the fittest among us eventually hit a wall (or worse, start breaking down muscle instead of building it).

In Functional Fitness for ANY body! we’ll explore simple, practical ways to “crowd out” poor eating habits and sneak more real, whole-food nutrition into your day — no diets, no guilt, just smart, sustainable choices that make sense.

3. Mindless movement can undo your best intentions.

Regular exercise enhances neuroplasticity — your brain’s ability to grow, adapt, and think creatively. But walk into most gyms, and you’ll find rows of TVs blaring news and noise. That constant stream of fear and distraction can actually retrain your brain in the wrong direction.

Our class takes a different approach: you’ll also learn T’ai Chi Chih, an EASY & FUN evidence-based moving mindfulness practice that doubles as gentle exercise. Research shows it can even mimic many of the benefits of a good night’s sleep (which, you may recall, is essential for building good strong muscle) while the mindfulness aspect can literally train your wellbeing over time.

So are you ready to totally redefine the word “fitness”?

Then join me along with my AMAZING ASSOCIATE Jennifer Warriner Eskridge, two of the area's most unusual health &wellness educators each with over 20 years of experience helping people crank their wellbeing all the way up into high gear. Together, we’ll guide you through a fun, practical, virtual workshop designed to help you:

• Get (and stay) fit ANYWHERE: no gym, no machines, no problem
• Eat better without feeling deprived
• Experience the restorative power of mindful movement

So if you’ve never felt like the gym is your happy place, or you’re simply ready to upgrade your health from the inside out, THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU … just click here to learn more and to sign up for this unique workshop TODAY!