What to do when the gym Isn’t working
A few weeks ago, a client sat down across from me with a frustrated look and said,
"Brad, the gym just isn’t working for me."
Now, I’ve heard this before. And I could tell from the tone in their voice, they weren’t just talking about dumbbells and kettlebells...they were talking about the bigger picture.
So instead of diving straight into sets and reps, I asked three questions:
How’s your sleep?
How’s your nutrition?
How’s your stress lately?
That’s when the real story came out.
They were sleeping maybe 5–6 hours a night, grabbing whatever food was quickest between meetings, and feeling like life was moving at 100 mph. The truth was… it wasn’t the gym that wasn’t working. It was that their body was too drained to take advantage of the work they were doing in the gym.
I explained that fitness is like the first domino in a long row. Push it over, and it knocks down:
Better strength → you can move more easily and avoid injury
Better energy → you can be more present with family and friends
Better mood → you show up with more patience and positivity
Better appetite control → you naturally eat in a way that supports your goals
Fat loss → the visible sign of all the invisible work you’ve been putting in
But here’s the thing: if some of the big dominoes...like sleep, nutrition, and stress...are glued to the table, that chain reaction slows way down.
If you’ve ever felt like your progress has stalled, here are a few questions you can ask yourself to find those “high-leverage opportunities” that make the biggest difference:
Am I getting at least 7–8 hours of quality sleep most nights?
Do I feel satisfied but not stuffed after meals?
Am I eating protein at most meals to help my body repair and recover?
Do I have at least one outlet for stress each day that isn’t food or alcohol?
Have I given myself space to recover between workouts?
Once my client made a few small tweaks...setting a bedtime, prepping protein-rich lunches, and carving out 10 minutes a day for quiet...the results started moving again.
Sometimes, the key isn’t pushing harder in the gym… it’s setting up the rest of your life so the gym can actually work for you.
Here’s to knocking over your first domino! If you have some dominos that seem to be glued to the table...reach out. Our team is always there to help you in any way we can!
Energetically yours,
Brad
