Remember RPE
Do you know what RPE is?
It’s rating of perceived exertion – how intensely you feel you are exercising on a numerical scale*, from extremely easy to extremely hard. It gauges your comfort level and how exerted you feel.
It’s individualized – your “hard” may be another person’s “easy,” or, their “extremely hard.”
RPE is a super useful tool, but I don’t want this post to be a personal trainer learning session, so I won’t get in to it. RPE has just been on my mind recently. We’re nearing the end of 2013. We’re getting close to the time when some people start making New Year’s resolutions related to their health. Right now, most people are probably focused on trying not to pack on the holiday pounds and whatnot, but I do know a few people already making some health-related lifestyle changes. And I expect to start hearing plans/goals from others soon!
Anyway, in speaking with these people, I am reminded of what an effort it takes just to start to make some changes. It’s not easy. Habits take awhile to form. We all know this. Blah blah blah.
But beyond that, it can be nerve wracking and intimidating to start working out. To go to a gym and feel like you are being judged. Or to try to eat healthier and have no idea where to start. To feel like a dork asking for healthier options at a restaurant.
I have always thought it is important to encourage any effort at a healthier lifestyle, but now that I am a certified personal trainer, I feel it’s even more important for me to do so, since I am a member of that industry.
So how the heck is this related to RPE? I just hope that we all remember, when we see others working out, that they are working out to their own intensity scale. Maybe they are working out at a “somewhat hard” level today. Maybe your “easy” is their “hard.” Whatever they are doing, they are there, and they are trying.
It’s soooo easy to compare numbers in fitness. Miles ran, pounds lifted, pushups done, whatever. It’s also easy with food – calories, food groups, omg you eat processed stuff?! Ha ha. We all have our data. But we don’t have to compare it one another. We shouldn’t. RPE, remember? Everyone is doing something different – something to their level.
So. Yeah. This seems completely out of the blue. I’ve just heard some worry from loved ones about being judged at the gym for how they look or not knowing how to do things. I would hate to have worry like that hold people back from living and feeling healthier! And I hope that those of us already out there would be encouraging to someone trying it out.
*There are two scales, each with its own range, but no point in getting in to that.
Themocracy
Nicely said and timely as well. It’s very difficult not to compare yourself to others and to feel inadequate because of it. All any of us can hope for is to better than we were yesterday. This is a hard time of the year to make any attempt to make a positive change so any effort at all commendable. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. It also helps a it to have a friend like you!!
Good thoughts! I was just saying something similar on my last post about how we all have to find the exercise that works for our own body, regardless of what other people do – and this applies to how hard/fast/intense we do that exercise, as well, as you so rightly point out.
There is an older woman in my gym who had a hip replacement a few years ago. She walks with a limp, very slowly, but she is at the gym several times a week, every week, doing the bike, the treadmill, the elliptical…at her pace, doing what works for her body. I really admire her, because it would be so easy to say, well, I can’t exercise, because I had this hip replacement.
For the past year, I had to take a break from running because of my hip pain. Even though it really bummed me out, I found other things to do. I think the key is to listen to your body.
Good for her! And you! The key is to listen to your body. And like you said, remember that not every body has the same one.
I love this post like you wouldn’t believe! Eyes on yourself! 🙂
I LOVE this post!!!! I told David (a long time ago) that was one of my main reasons for not ever going to a gym- I KNEW people were going to judge me- he said, no they won’t, they will be proud of you for being there and doing something- I still didn’t believe him though and in my head- they were judging me.
I do feel this way about running though. I know, I’m new to it but I still feel like, why am I not doing better?!?! Why is it so easy for other people and still so hard for me?!?! At least I’m still doing it though!!! Super fantastic post!!!!
=^..^=
P.S. Now I want to read up on PRE more!!!
Running is hard for you because you are just starting! You are keeping at it and it will get easier 🙂
I love everything about this post. It’s easy to judge people and worry about being judged. Getting and staying healthy takes effort enough – we shouldn’t be wasting effort on this stuff.
LOVE.
I love the photos and the “graph” – nice way to illustrate your point!
I was actually just looking at some of my running “data” (not your cat, ha ha!) and noticed how I did more or less the same run on different days, but my paces and overall experiences were so different.
And I love the reminder that everyone has a different experience out there – good to remember.
Ha ha ha! I am happy you thought of Data, too. I was going to post his pic. LOL.
It’s so crazy just the difference a DAY can make! Off topic, but it’s frustrating that we can train so hard (or hardish, lol, for me) for something and then get that off/bad day!
I once had a coworker who refused to go to the gym next door to our work because it had windows and she didn’t want people to see her working out. I never quite understood that. I admittedly don’t pay attention to how much people are lifting or how far they’re going on the treadmill. I am more concerned that their form is correct or that they’re actually getting something out of their workout, whatever that is for them!
Do you think you would approach someone if they had “bad” form? Someone gave me a tip on my form years ago at the gym at work, and I found it helpful. I didn’t pay attention to other people working out then, though. I just watched to see when equipment was free. I wonder if a lot of people “people watch” at the gym. That IS intimidating.
If it was a trainer who worked at the gym and wasn’t trying to coerce me into using his/her services, I wouldn’t mind. If it was a random person I would probably give them the side eye!
I love this post! So what I needed to read. I get really intimidated going to new gyms and trying out new workout equipment – just because I hate looking like I don’t know what I’m doing! And I have a real hard problem keeping my eyes on myself and not comparing myself to what others are doing. Probably why I like working out at home and being alone in my apartment gym, ha. I can just focus on myself!
Thank you! 🙂 Do you want to try going to a gym more or continue to work out at home? Both are great places to work out! (well, anywhere is, lol!) I do know you mentioned you had a hard time asking people for help – you like to figure things out on your own. Would you ever want to work with a trainer or join a gym that offers an intro class? 🙂