House Rules — They Matter More Than You Might Think

The House Rules, posted in our Wynnewood Boot Camp location.

In this post, I’m going let you know why Performance Fitness’s newly instated House Rules will help you reach your goals faster, and become a happier, healthier, fitter version of you—but only if you follow them. Read on for optimal results!

1. Early is on time, on time is late – give yourself enough time to get to class, get settled, and get prepared to work. Don’t miss the warm-up. It’s just as important as the workout.

Why this is important: Putting yourself into a fitness state of mind will help psych you up to perform better than if you show up 10 minutes late with your mind on some issue that has nothing to do with your workout. Why not make sure you get to class with plenty of time to warm up properly and avoid injury?

 2. Cell phones – we all have them. They’re important, but disengage from yours during class. If you must take a call please go out into the hall to do so.

Why this is important: It might seem obvious, but the moment you make or take a call or text, your head leaves the game. If you’re not focusing on your workout, you’re not getting optimal results. You’re more likely to compromise form and get hurt, or miss a set of exercises that could get you closer to your fitness goals. You’re also showing the rest of the class that the workout is not worth your full attention.

3. Earn your rest break – you’re here to work and get results. Go heavy, go hard, or go home. If you’re talking, you’re not working hard enough, fast enough, or with enough intensity.

Why this is important: Just like with cell phones, conversation during your workout splits your focus. How can you concentrate on your quads and hamstrings during a lunge walk if you’re chatting up your neighbor about her upcoming vacation plans? If you’re not focusing on the muscles you’re working, it could take you twice as long to build a sculpted, lean physique. The more attention you give to your workout, the better your benefits will be. Click here for more on why it’s vital to focus on the muscles you’re working.

Also, if you’re talking, it means you’re breathing in much the same way you would be if you were, say, walking to your car. In other words, you’re not working hard enough to get your heart pumping. You’re not working hard enough to require additional oxygen. You’re getting no cardiovascular benefits and therefore not getting your money’s worth.

4. Respect the space – be mindful of your environment. Pick up your toys (equipment, water bottles, etc.), and leave the space as you found it.

5. Safety first – safety for yourself, safety for others, safety for your equipment. Use good form when picking up and putting down equipment. Make sure you have enough room to do each exercise safely and without putting your fellow campers in danger.

Numbers #4 and #5 speak for themselves.

6. Check yo’self before you wreck yo’self – leave your ego at the door. Make sure you’re busting your ass in a healthful way. Follow the direction of your coaches. They’re the experts.

Why this is important: Just as it’s important to work as hard as you can, it’s also important to know when you’re lifting harder and heavier because you want to be the best in class. You’ll sooner be the most deconditioned camper if you get hurt trying to be the best. Just be YOUR best and make sure you compete against yourself—not your neighbor.

7. Listen – to your trainers, to your fellow participants, and to your body.

Why this is important: We all know a person who lacks a baffling amount of self-awareness. Maybe this person chews with their mouth open, invades your personal space or can’t stop one-upping you, even during the most innocuous conversations. How annoying is that? Pretty freaking annoying. In much the same way, many of us are unaware of our bodies—specifically how they move through space. Knowing, for example, where your foot is while completing a set of single-leg Romanian deadlifts is vital to keeping proper form. By listening to your body, you will situate yourself properly and be able to perform each exercise with optimal precision and get the best results. Your trainers are your mirrors. They will guide you if you let them and help you achieve your goals.

8. Speak up – your opinion counts. Have an idea? A complaint? A compliment? Let us know.

Why this is important: Boot camp, kettlebells and personal training are designed to enable you to become the best version of yourself. BUT—it’s vital that you show up consistently. In order to do that, you have to LIKE it on some level. You have to commit. The most committed campers are the ones who make their voices heard. Exercises, routines and even iPod playlists can be modified intelligently to allow you to experience greater joy in each of your workouts.

9. Be present – your workout is an hour that’s dedicated to you. Try to leave the outside world…outside. Focus on the workout and keep distractions to a minimum. This will allow your fellow campers to focus too.

Why this is important: If your life is anything like mine, then your workout time is YOUR time. Not your kid’s, spouse’s or colleagues. You have the luxury of putting yourself first. Why not make the most of it? Why undermine your personal time? Aren’t you compromised enough during the day? This is your hour to shine for you and only you. I urge you to take full advantage of this opportunity.

10. Celebrate – your accomplishments and those of your fellow campers – no matter how seemingly small.

Why this is important: Ever meet a person who decides that after years living a sedentary lifestyle that they’re going to exercise, and they invariably choose to train for a marathon? What’s the first thought that runs through your mind when they share this with you? The first thought I have is, “Way to set yourself up for failure.”

Your goals do not need to be lofty in order to be valuable. Do you get that? It’s so important I’m going to repeat it: YOUR GOALS DO NOT NEED TO BE LOFTY IN ORDER TO BE VALUABLE. There. All caps, even. Please take a moment and let that sink in.

In other words, SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS. Example: Showing up three times a week when you could barely make it to a single class the month before COUNTS as a worthy accomplishment. Ditto completing a single military pushup if all you could do before were a half dozen on your knees. The more you acknowledge your small achievements, the higher your confidence will climb and before you know it, like cinder blocks in a skyscraper’s foundation, those small achievements will support a gleaming spire of head-turning, awe-inspiring accomplishments.

I hope this post inspires you to put yourself first in every healthy way during your next workout. If everyone follows the rules, knowing and trusting that they were created with your highest success in mind, your exercise experience will undoubtedly soar and—tax season metaphor alert—yield HUGE returns.