Coach Marcos Vázquez, revolutionary fitness creatoroften insists on the importance of authentic adherence to physical exercise for those who want to maintain a healthy and active life at any age. «You know that exercise is already part of your life when you have to convince yourself to take a day offinstead of convincing you to go to the gym,» says the expert, who highlights the transformation of the concept of physical activity, for whom it goes from being an obligation to a full-fledged necessity.

Although, to get to that point where exercise becomes an intrinsic part of the daily routine, consistency is essential. And, initially, willpower is crucial to overcome inertia, according to the coach, who explains it through: the «energy paradox»: «Many people don’t have the energy to train… because they don’t train,» he points out. And, although the first sessions are especially difficult, they act as the «catalyst that will launch the virtuous cycle of energy.»

Start, even if it’s little

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So, as you train, physical condition improves, which in turn provides more energy and makes it easier to carry out the following training, according to Vázquez, who assures that the key to activating this cycle is simple: «Start, even if it is with little.» In fact, the expert emphasizes that «the mediocre training you do is better than the perfect training you don’t do.» Which means that consistency – even if imperfect – and not perfection, is which ultimately allows exercise to become a habit and it feels like a necessity.

Stopping is also necessary

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Once training has been implemented into daily life, the desire to train becomes so strong that it even appears while on vacation. At this point, the will is no longer necessary to go to the gym, but it is required when it comes to stopping. «Many people feel guilty if they rest for a few days during their vacation, even if their body really needs a break,» highlights the trainer, who assures that, to achieve sustainable progress and avoid burnout, rest is as vital as training. «Rest is also part of progress,» he argues.

For Vázquez, even a break of 2 to 3 weeks during the holidays should not be a cause for concern, since «when you return to training you will recover what you lost in a short time,» he says. In fact, he explains, evidence suggests that people who take short breaks achieve the same long-term muscle gains as those who never stop training.

Invest in personal autonomy

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Beyond aesthetics, Vázquez defends a profound philosophy about the importance of strength training, linking it directly to vital need for autonomy. And for him, strength training is a savings plan for the future, and Each series is an investment in the independence of tomorrow. That is why the coach urges to see the muscle as a deposit, comparing it to a pension: «Muscle is your life insurance»he usually says. This vision elevates exercise from a simple habit to a fundamental necessity to ensure quality of life and future self-sufficiency. In other words, a third age very different from that of traditional clichés.