Don’t Work Out. Train.

Pushups are a great addition to any workout routine.

I’ve come to a realization: most people don’t truly understand that fitness is not a quick fix. There are no overnight results. There are levels to this—and that’s exactly why I started this blog.

I saw a video recently where someone was demonstrating advanced exercises. Toward the end, they said, “This will give you a stronger core.” And while that may be true, it reminded me of something deeper: we’re living in a time where fitness is more accessible than ever, but also more overwhelming. There’s an insurmountable amount of information out there. For someone new to fitness, it can be too much.

Social media tends to highlight the most advanced movements—the ones that trend better. Let’s be honest: people want to see six-pack abs, sculpted glutes, strong legs, and powerful physiques. But what they don’t see is the work it takes to get there.

Most people start at the beginner or novice level. And it can take nearly a year of consistent training just to reach the intermediate stage.

The Truth About Progress

I’m a personal trainer. I’ve worked out for years—but not always consistently. And that’s another truth: consistency is key. Whether you train at home or in a gym, the results come from showing up, over and over again.

I’ve seen testimonials promoting drastic weight loss—30 pounds in a month. Let me forewarn you: that’s staggering. It’s great if you can do it, but keeping that weight off is another story. There is a right way to approach fitness. And it starts with understanding where you are.

You don’t just walk up to a pull-up bar and start doing reps. You build up your upper body strength. You start with modified pushups—on a mat, on your knees. You should feel the connection in your core, shoulders, chest, and back. But many people don’t do exercises correctly. That’s where guidance matters.

Why I Got Into Fitness

I wanted to help people improve their health, strength, and confidence—but do it the right way. When I first started, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t understand volume training, frequency, or proper form. I just knew I wanted to look a certain way, and I didn’t know how.

Eventually, I became a student of bodybuilding. I respect bodybuilders deeply—not just for their physiques, but for their discipline. Training four to five times a week, sometimes twice a day. Eating the same meals for months. Competing for just one hour on stage, only to be told they didn’t make the cut.

I’ve always admired Ronnie Coleman and Kai Greene. Kai, especially, was a teacher. In his early videos, he emphasized what I believe: do the basics, do them right, and make that muscle-mind connection.

Build Your Foundation

If you’re starting your fitness journey today, I encourage you to watch the videos—but be mindful. Understand that there are levels. There’s beginner, intermediate, and elite. Someone who can do a muscle-up effortlessly? That’s elite. Someone who can bench 500 pounds at 180 pounds bodyweight? That’s elite strength.

Cable movements, kickbacks, and fancy routines are great. But the basics will always be your foundation: squats, lunges, presses, rows, and extensions. You don’t need a barbell bench press—you can do dumbbell presses for better range of motion. You don’t need machines to start—you need a mat, your body, and proper form.

Training Real People

I have a client who’s made incredible progress. We trained together in our 30s, doing step-ups, walking lunges, and explosive movements. Now we’re in our 40s, and I’ve tailored her workouts to suit her body. Her joints aren’t the same. She had knee issues—her knee would “pop out.” Now? No issues. Why? Because we strengthened the joint with targeted exercises.

We swapped forward lunges for reverse lunges. We replaced deep barbell squats with dumbbell squats. We started on the mat—side leg raises, knee lifts, wall sits. It’s all about foundation.

We train core consistently. Planks are underrated but incredibly effective. They target the lumbar and thoracic spine. Russian twists are popular, but without proper training, they can lead to overcompensation and injury.

She wanted to train five days a week. I helped her understand that rest is essential. We isolate body parts, and we recover. That’s how you build sustainably.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a beginner, or someone returning to fitness after years away, remember: muscle memory is real, but you still need to ease back in. Don’t get caught up in the hype. Accept where you are. Train with intention.

Don’t just work out. Train.

If this blog resonates with you and you want support reaching your fitness goals, I’m here. Reach out.

Peace, Gene-Andrew Founder of FitKing2Go