Setting Fitness Goals: Key to Looking Like a Fitness Model

True Definition of Fitness

The women photographed as “fitness models” are some of the the fittest, most disciplined and most dedicated women in our society today. They are true athletes who deserve to be respected and admired as such. Therefore, it is not surprising that the breathtakingly beautiful physique of these women has inspired many other women to turn to fitness in an effort to also attain this physique. However, only those women, amongst us, who understand the true definition of fitness will succeed in attaining the physique of a fitness model.
The key to understanding fitness lies in understanding the fact that in the real world the majority of fit and healthy women do not look like the fitness models we see advertising fitness equipment or protein bars. In fact, in the real world, even fitness models do not look like fitness models, most of the time. That is because those women who understand the true definition of fitness are more concerned with improving their level of performance, and achieving their goals, than physical aesthetics. So, how is it that these athletic women attain their stunningly beautiful, muscular physiques? Simple! They train HARD…and smart.

A Day in The Life of a Fitness Model

• Wake up at 4 am and spend two hours at the gym before heading off to school or work.
• Spend another two hours at the gym before finally heading home from school or work.
• Increase your heart rate to 95%, causing you to puke, at the end of a particularly intense cardio, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) session designed to help you shed those hard-to-shed last 5 pounds.
• Follow a strict weight training schedule that requires you to lift until you literally cannot lift another ounce of weight.
• Be sore beyond your wildest dreams.
• Follow a strict high protein, low card, low fat, long-term diet with no room for empty calories from such foods as potato chips, sweets, sodas, alcohol, etc…
• Sweat, get dirty, get bruised, get cut, get injured…and still show up to the gym, with no makeup, wearing baggy sweats, bandages, knee braces and so forth.

So, You Want To Look Like a Fitness Model

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look like a fitness model. However, “I want to look like a fitness model” is not the type of fitness goal that will help you reach your dream of looking like a fitness model. In fact, a statement such as this automatically sets you up for failure because of its vague nature.

The key to attaining the incredibly fit, muscular and lean body of a fitness model is learning to set concrete, realistic and attainable fitness goals that will lead and motivate you through this long and difficult journey.

Concrete Fitness Goals

“In the next three months I want to lose 10lb of fat, gain 5lb of muscle and do 50 pushups in 60 seconds.” This is an example of a concrete fitness goal because it contains definite numbers, sets a set of clear goals for you, sets a time frame, allows you to measure your progress along the way and allows you to measure the degree of your success at the end of the time allotted.

Realistic Fitness Goals

We are all genetically different. Therefore, no matter how hard we try we cannot overcome or alter, naturally, the body shape we are genetically destined to possess. For example, if you possess a naturally stocky frame you will be setting yourself up for failure and a great deal of disappointment if you strive to attain the small, and slender physique of a 90lb ballerina, no matter how concrete the set of goals you manage to set for yourself along the way.

Attainable Fitness Goals

These are the hardest goals to set. That is because often, in an effort to not underestimate their capabilities, fitness enthusiasts end up over estimating their physical capabilities and setting goals that are just not attainable. This, in turn, often leads to injury, disappointment and the sense of failure that is the main reason people give up on this journey. That is why it is imperative that you understand your physical abilities and limitations before you attempt to set fitness goals. For example, we know that it is scientifically impossible, and downright dangerous to attempt to lose 30lbs in 30 days. Therefore, the statement,”I will shed 30lbs of body fat in 30 days, though concrete, is not realistic or attainable”.

On the other hand, the statement, “I will bench press 25% of my ideal bodyweight, by this time next year” is a concrete, realistic and attainable fitness goal for a female looking to reach her fitness peak. That is because, within the fitness industry, it is an accepted fact that any female who can bench press 50% of her ideal bodyweight is at the peak of her physical fitness. Likewise, it is generally accepted that a reasonably fit female must train for two years in order to reach the point of being able to bench press 50% of her ideal body weight.

The same rule applies to men, except for the fact that a man is believed to have reached the peak of his physical fitness if he can bench press 100% of his ideal bodyweight. Therefore, in this situation, “I will bench press 50% of my ideal bodyweight by this time next year” is a concrete, realistic and attainable fitness goal for a reasonably fit male.

Reality Check!

As I mentioned earlier, the reality is that even fitness models do not look like fitness models all the time. That is because:

• Fitness Models Are Only Photographed During Competition Season: The unspoken reality of this industry is that even the most dedicated fitness models are only available to be photographed during certain times of the year. That is because it is physically impossible for anyone, including fitness models, to maintain the 10% or lower amount of body fat with which these models enter into competition season. During “off season” these women maintain a weight that is as much as 15 to 20lbs higher than their competition weight.
• Fitness Models Are Photographed By Professional Photographers: Certain photographers earn a lucrative living taking and enhancing the pictures of fitness models. Like models in general, fitness models are required to be photogenic. These photographers’ job is to enhance the photogenic qualities of these models through lighting, camera angles, posing suggestions and of course, liberal uses of various Photoshop techniques.
• Fitness Models Are Models: Like all models, fitness models are paid to look flawless during competition season. Therefore, a photo shoot with a fitness model resembles a photo shoot with a regular fashion model in the sense that a large group of hair, makeup, etc.. professionals work backstage to create the flawless appearance of these fitness models.
• Fitness Models Are Performers: Ever wondered how a perfectly madeup, 100lb fitness model can lift what appears to weigh three times her bodyweight over her head, all while wearing a bikini? Well, besides the obvious use of Duct tape and masking tape to prop the cleavage together, pull back skin to increase muscle definition and prevent bikini “wardrobe malfunctions” fitness models also use props during photo shoots. Often, these props include mock weights that make it appear as if the model is lifting a large amount of weight, without straining or sweating.

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