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Cody Conner

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September 23, 2024

The Power of Consistency: Why Showing Up is the Most Important Part of Your Fitness Journey

As I reflect on eight years of owning Nerve Health & Fitness, there's one undeniable truth I've seen over and over: the most powerful thing you can do for your health and fitness is simply to show up—consistently. Forget about the fancy goals like getting a muscle-up, running a sub-8-minute mile, or building massive muscles. While these goals are great and certainly achievable, they all pale in comparison to the habit of showing up to the gym 5-6 times a week.

Here’s why.

Consistency Breeds Results

Fitness is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Quick fixes and shortcuts never provide the long-term results we crave. Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain muscle, improve endurance, or simply feel healthier and happier, consistency is the key. And by consistency, I mean showing up—even when you're tired, even when your schedule feels packed, even when you don’t feel like it.

When you make the decision to come to Nerve 5-6 times a week, you’re making progress whether you realize it or not. Each day you come in, you’re pushing your body in a different way, building physical and mental strength. More importantly, you’re creating a habit that sets the foundation for every fitness goal you have.

More Important than Milestones

Sure, getting your first muscle-up or running that sub-8-minute mile feels incredible. But those milestones aren’t what define your fitness journey. What truly matters is the discipline it takes to show up, day after day, regardless of where you're at in your personal journey.

Here’s a secret: every big fitness achievement is simply a byproduct of consistent effort. You can’t achieve those milestones without putting in the work regularly, and you’ll find that by showing up consistently, you’ll begin to hit those goals naturally.

Why 5-6 Days Per Week?

Why not three days? Or four? While any movement is better than none, 5-6 days per week is the sweet spot because it allows you to make steady progress while building a routine that becomes second nature. It’s not about intensity or crushing yourself every day; it’s about being there, moving your body, and letting the compounding effect of regular training work its magic.

Showing up frequently also helps you avoid the dreaded “fall-off.” Missing one day can easily lead to missing two, and suddenly, a week or a month can go by. But by committing to a regular schedule, you’re much more likely to stay on track.

It’s About More Than Fitness

When you show up to Nerve 5-6 times a week, you’re not just improving your fitness—you’re making a profound impact on your entire life. Our community thrives on accountability, support, and shared effort. Every day you walk through those doors, you’re not just working out; you’re investing in your health, your mindset, and your future.

The act of showing up consistently teaches discipline, builds resilience, and develops mental toughness that carries over into every other part of your life. It strengthens relationships, improves mental health, and empowers you to face challenges outside the gym with the same determination you bring to your workouts.

Action Step: Progressing from 2x to 5-6x a Week

If you're currently coming to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and wondering how you can increase your attendance, start by adding just one more day. For example, if you’ve been attending twice a week, aim for three or four times over the next month. Once that becomes routine, gradually work your way up to 5-6 days.

Here’s why this progression matters:

  1. Increased Momentum: Attending 5-6 times a week helps you build a rhythm. When you’re only attending twice a week, there’s often too much time between workouts, which can slow your progress. By coming more frequently, you maintain momentum, improve your skills faster, and see more steady growth in your fitness.
  2. Reduced Fatigue: At 2-3 days a week, you might feel like you need to push yourself hard every session, which can lead to burnout. When you’re in the gym 5-6 times, you can vary the intensity, focusing on strength one day, mobility another, and cardio or endurance training on a different day. This balance prevents burnout while allowing your body to develop comprehensively.
  3. Deeper Community Connections: One of the greatest aspects of Nerve is our community. The more you attend, the stronger your bonds with coaches and fellow members become. These connections often serve as a powerful motivator to keep showing up, even when life gets busy.
  4. Exponential Improvement: Consistency leads to more frequent practice of essential movements and skills. You’ll find yourself improving faster and with greater confidence, making you feel even more capable and motivated to keep going. Each session builds upon the last.

Remember: You don’t have to jump from 2 days to 6 overnight. Start small and build at your own pace, but make a commitment to push toward that 5-6 day sweet spot. It’s a game-changer for your fitness, your health, and your life.

So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed by where you are on your fitness journey, don’t focus on how fast you can run or how much you can lift. Start with showing up. Make that your goal, and everything else will follow.

Have fun and get fit, and we’ll see you at Nerve this week.

— Cody

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