Getting Fit, No More Excuses

by Leo Kwok

Personal Trainer, Leo Kwok, talks about the importance of getting fit.

I have always played basketball, but for fun. When I decided to take it more seriously, I realised that I needed to get stronger, so I began fitness training to strengthen my muscles. I tried to learn how to do this on my own, but ended up hurting my back, the effects of which I still feel today.

That was when I understood that, in the initial stages of fitness training, one needs to learn proper techniques, which only a coach can provide. This led me to become a personal trainer – to help people become fitter versions of themselves – without injury.

For me, the most important thing is to identify what my student needs. Most people come and say, “help me lose weight”, but what does that mean? I need to make the effort and figure out a programme that is individually tailored to that person’s specific needs. They might need to build up muscle strength, for example; or may want to improve their performance in a particular sport. I once had a student who had been referred by a doctor because of a sciatic nerve issue. Watching her recovery and progress provided her with great encouragement and instilled a profound sense of satisfaction in me.

“Making time for exercise should be prioritised in school or outside.”

One of the biggest challenges I see is that we in Hong Kong do not take health and exercise very seriously. Yes, there are many gyms in town and many people say that they go to gyms regularly. But the truth is, with the busy lifestyles we lead, exercise will usually be the first to fall off the list of important things to do.

This is especially true of young people. With the pressure of exams and studies, and the amount of time spent on devices, playing games, or engaging with social media, most school students are not likely to make the effort to exercise regularly.

In my opinion, making time for exercise – in school or outside – should be something that all of us need to prioritise. Training may seem like a big part of one’s day, but if you think about it rationally, all you need to do is just commit to a few hours out of the 168 hours that make up a week!

Whether we like to admit it or not, we’re all growing older and our bodies will naturally lose their muscle strength, endurance and flexibility. Getting prepared for this future should start today.

Hopefully, watching the amazing feats of those athletes who went to the Olympics will inspire us all, especially young people, to be more determined to keep fit. No more excuses! ■