Before I worked as a firefighter, I was a trainer in both large and small health clubs.  During that time I would see a lot of people exercising consistently and with intensity but only make a limited amount of fitness progress.  Why? Because we are all creatures of habit in the gym and out.  These “snail paced progress” gym goers were all doing the same thing… exercising, not training.  And yes, their is a difference.

What is Exercising?

Exercise is physical activity performed for the effect it produces today — right now.    Each workout is performed for the purpose of producing a stress that satisfies the immediate needs of the exerciser: burning some calories, “blow off steam,”  relieve mental stress, pump up the biceps, etc.  Exercise may well involve doing exactly the same thing every time you do it, as long as it accomplishes the task of making you feel like you to want to feel while you’re doing it.  Most of the people in gyms and firehouses do this everyday… they exercise.  Not that there is anything wrong with it but it is a very “short-sided” approach to fitness.

Are You Training?

Now, when I was working with athletes (both pro and amateur) we just weren’t exercising, we had a definitive performance or “training” objective.  For athletes (like firefighters, emts, and medics) training is a necessity or at least should be.  Training is physical activity performed for the purpose of satisfying a long-term performance goal.  Training involves along term approach to fitness where one workout builds on the next, all leading to a long-term goal.  Athletes try to get bigger, stronger, leaner, faster and use a well-planned training workout program to achieve these goals.

Are you Training or Exercising?  

As a fire rescue athlete you need to approach your fitness like an athlete and therefore think about how you can improve your performance (get leaner, stronger, faster) on the fire and rescue scene.  

Would you agree with that statement?

Your right, it is a rhetorical question… Since we as fire rescue athletes should be trying to improve performance then it can be assumed that “training” is the best way to do this.

As we jump into the New Year my challenge to you is simple.  Take a long-term approach to your fitness this year (and every year).  Don’t just workout for the sake of it (although sometimes that is alright to do) but have a plan as to why your working out and how that workout will help you do your job.  

I see this every year, people wondering around the gym or firehouse performing random workouts.  

Why?  Stop wasting the time and energy–  you have a purpose to workout…your job, your crew, your family depends on it.

Plan your workouts and plan your rest then plan for success!

Stay safe and GET FRF in 2016,

Aaron Zamzow

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