How Your Perception of Fitness Changes from Your 20s to 30s
I’m not going to speak for all 30-year-olds, but I will speak for a good chunk of them.
For many, the perception of fitness undergoes a radical shift between their 20s and 30s.
I’m specifically talking about people who spent a significant part of their 20s dedicated to working out.
If your 20s were more about chugging beers and partying, you might not relate to this post.
This is for those who devoted themselves to fitness in their 20s.
Hitting personal records, drinking protein shakes, and chasing physical goals.
How We View Working Out in Our 20s
The first time I hit the gym, I was amazed.
I started with the machines, lifting weights for the first time in my life.
The next day, I was so sore I could barely get up.
But instead of deterring me, that soreness motivated me to keep learning about fitness.
Back then, I was 6 feet tall and only 135 pounds…a walking stick.
Slowly, I learned more about lifting free weights.
I read endless blogs on nutrition and got bigger and stronger, going from 135 pounds to 185 pounds.
Eventually, I started getting respect in the gym.
People would comment, “Wow, you’re looking swole!”
I spent years being one of the biggest guys in the room.
Then I shifted my focus to leaning out.
After completing the P90X program, I got shredded.
While girls complimented me, some guys roasted me:
“You stopped working out, bro?”
So, I went back to bulking, getting bigger and bigger again.
My life revolved around working out.
How My Perception of Fitness Shifted in My 30s
I just finished a 25-minute full-body workout.
My younger self would have laughed and said, “That’s it? I used to work out for two hours!”
In my 20s, spending hours at the gym felt like an accomplishment.
Now, I see it as a waste of time.
If you’re spending two hours at the gym, you probably don’t know what you’re doing.
These days, I prioritize efficiency.
I’ve added yoga to my routine for flexibility…something my younger self would have dismissed as “just for girls.”
My diet has also changed.
I now eat one meal a day which is a protein-packed meal a day with fiber, fat, and carbs.
Again, my younger self would’ve laughed at this, because I used to eat five meals a day.
Fitness has become less about revolving my life around it and more about integrating it seamlessly into my day-to-day.
I now view working out the same way I view taking out the trash.
Why I Compare Fitness to Taking Out the Trash
If I don’t take out the trash, my place will smell awful.
So, I take it out.
Not because I’m obsessed with trash bags or trash cans, but out of necessity.
Likewise, I work out to feel better.
Without it, I’d feel awful.
Fitness is about maintenance and feeling good, not chasing the latest personal max.
Don’t get me wrong…
I still love lifting and being strong.
But I’m no longer chasing personal records.
I can’t even remember the last time I maxed out on a bench press or squat.
Instead, I focus on bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats.
I prioritize simplicity over complexity.
I don’t buy the latest protein shakes or fancy workout gear.
My approach is streamlined and efficient.
Why Our Perspective Changes
In your 20s, life is simpler.
You have more time to focus on the gym, which often takes center stage for many young men.
And that’s great!
Working out is way better than getting caught up in harmful habits.
But in your 30s, life changes.
Work, family, and other responsibilities come into play.
Spending two hours at the gym becomes impractical unless you’re training for a competition.
As we age, we learn to contextualize fitness within the bigger picture of our lives.
If your perspective on fitness is shifting in your 30s, you’re not weird…you’re just joining the club.
A Cheat Code to Getting Fit
Many people are drawn to flashy fitness influencers who showcase dramatic content and trendy workouts.
But do you know who I follow?
40-year-old fit dads with kids.
These guys are intentional and efficient with their fitness routines.
They optimize everything to maximize results without wasting time.
One piece of advice that changed my life came from a 40-year-old fitness enthusiast who said:
“Do more compound exercises. They hit multiple muscle groups and save you time.”
Another suggested focusing on full-body workouts instead of targeting individual muscle groups.
Both pieces of advice were game-changers.
These seasoned fitness enthusiasts don’t care about keeping you hooked on their content.
They share actionable advice so you can get fit and get on with your life…just like they do.
For more insights on mindset and fitness, check out the ArmaniTalks Daily Newsletter
– ArmaniTalks 🎙️🔥
