By Nicki Miller
Personal Trainer

Exploring how you like to work out is like dating. 

 

In today’s world of bootcamps, crossfit, barre classes and anti-gravity yoga, there are so many options for how to train your body to look like you are a tri-athlete, power lifter or acrobat.  Or at least, the classes are designed to make you FEEL like one of those for 60 minutes.  But are you actually improving? Is it giving you what you showed up for? Or is it just allowing you to say, “I’m a yogi” while not mentioning that you sit out inversions and modify your splits at every class because no one’s pushing you?

 

It’s easy to forget that working out is functional. It’s not just about going to the gym or class, it’s about having something to accomplish each time you train. Without inspiration, you plateau.

 

For me, what inspires me to train is acrobatics. Through learning to master climbing an aerial silk or doing a handstand, you are forced to understand how your body works. You begin to see how resistance and flexibility training can be helpful: they serve a higher purpose, be it climbing a silk 20 feet of the ground and confidently flipping upside down or knowing your shoulders won’t buckle when you go into a handstand. 

 

Like dating a beautiful airhead, sexy exercises in pretty studios can seduce us into forgetting that what we’re actually looking for is compatibility with our interests and goals. Find what inspires you and be brave. Commit to improving. Commit to showing up each week with a new goal. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, that’s what a good teacher/trainer is there for! If you’re really motivated, ask them to work with you one-on-one.

 

Just go for it, you might surprise yourself and find a perfect match.

Nicki Miller is an NASM certified personal trainer and aerial silks instructor. She teaches Basic Beginner silks classes at The Muse in Brooklyn on Saturdays 1-2pm (www.themusebrooklyn.com) and Wednesdays 7-8pm at the Sky Box in Brooklyn (www.theskybox.org). Nicki also an aerial rope performer and Intensive Student at the Circus Warehouse Professional Program. She offers personal training sessions and private/small group aerial coaching.