Expand your mind for a minute. Imagine someone telling you that you could no longer do any form of exercise! Not any form of cardio that could raise your heart rate more than a slow jog. No weight lifting, Exercise in general is a no no. Now tell me what would be the first thing you think of?

Ask anyone that question today. What do you think the answer will be? Is it that they will fear not looking good, or that they will worry about losing the benefits of a healthy body such as mobility, great bone density, a great lung capacity healthy joints and heart? If they answer truthfully 70% will say that they will worry more about the look rather than the health benefits.

Many years ago before the fitness boom in the 80’s people worked out for all those good reasons. It only seems today that those amazing result of exercise are now over shadowed for the look of health on the surface only. Every day I read new articles about not only young men but women who are resorting to steroids. The strangest thing about steroids is that they are not illegal, they are just illegal to buy. Every day we hear reports that famous people have tested positive. Lance Armstrong, Ben Johnson. Just look at the new superhero movies and wonder how on earth the leading actors have bulked up so fast, yes they may be teamed up with the best trainers and chefs but gaining muscle takes time and although it hasn’t been confirmed, it has been suggested that Hollywood studios enforce steroids on the leading actors. So at what point in the last 20 years have we become so un- in tune with our bodies that we look to damage them in order to compete not just in sports but in the looks department.

Every year or season a new fitness craze will take everyone by storm. This year insanity had people all over the world buying DVDs like there was no tomorrow ,Zumba the year before, Cross fit came in the headlines this year, military boot camps the year before. Every time I ask myself, why do we all get so excited about a so called new type of fitness training that promotes the fastest way to weight loss and muscle definition? For all these supposedly different training plans, if you dissect all the moves you will find that they are all plyometric or strength base exercises that have been around since fitness training began.

So just like the high street, every season bring a new fashion or colour that everyone must have. Yet just like a fitness craze you drop it faster than a hot potato.

For many it’s great as they find some form of exercise that they enjoy. And for that reason I say jump on the craze, but for everyone else it’s merely just a topic of fashion that expires faster than organic fruit. So instead of jumping on a new band wagon why not keep your training consistent and fresh by inventing your own programme. Do a little research and show everyone that you don’t need to follow a trend. You are the new trend.