Every day at the gym I see at least one person performing a bizarre and ineffective exercise. Finished, they squint at their tattered program print out, frown, and move on to the next piece of complicated fitness equipment, where they spend an equal amount of time trying to decipher how to mount the thing as they do completing the movement. The lack of purpose shouldn't surprise, given the generic and uninspired workout routines provided by many gyms.You may have even felt this same frustation, in varying degrees.

Although most exercises are recommended with good intentions, fitness is not an area in which it’s the thought that counts. What has worked for one person may not work for you. You need a workout plan that is designed to target your problem areas specifically. To truly succeed, you need to know WHY an exercise was chosen for you, and to be shown HOW to perform it correctly. With knowledge of the benefits and how to attain them, it’s a whole lot easier to maintain focus and make consistent progress, while avoiding unnecessary injury caused by improper technique.

To help weed out the obsolete and unnecessary in your program, here are some questions to ask of each exercise:

• Why do you do it? What are the specific benefits of this exercise, for you?
• Does the exercise take into account your personal needs or specific injuries?
• Do you feel like you’re performing the exercise correctly? Can you feel it working?
• Do you think there’s an exercise you could be doing that would be a better use of your time?

If you decide that some (or all!) of your exercise routine could be improved on, don’t be afraid to approach an employee at your fitness club for a re-haul. It’s what they’re there for, and as long as they’re not busy with a client they should be more than happy to help, free of charge. Once you’ve found a willing trainer ask him or her to break down the benefits of each exercise. Stay on the exercise until you understand what makes it a good exercise, how to perform it with correct form and where you should feel it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

If you’re not comfortable approaching a gym employee or you don’t go to a gym, feel free to leave your questions here. I’ll be happy to talk you through individual exercises or suggest alternatives. You can also email me directly at Ralph@enrgfitnesschicago.com.