By Rabbi Daniel Pressman
Note: This blog post was featured as part of our #HeshbonHodesh: Adar monthly newsletter.
לְפוּם צַעֲרָא אַגְרָא — According to the effort is the reward.*
*Avot 5:23. The Jewish version of “No pain, no gain.”
P.E. class was a tale of failure, misery, and bullying (including by teachers). I was, and remain, uncoordinated, with poor proprioception. When I began my Rabbinic career, I realized that I had to find a way to keep fit that didn’t involve sports. I wish I could say that I had noble motives, but I was more like Mel Brooks’ 2,000 year old man, who when asked, “What was the means of transportation then”, replied, “Fear. An animal would growl — you would go two miles in a minute. Fear would be the main propulsion.”
So: fear of dying. My motivation has only grown stronger as research has accumulated about the benefits of exercise for both longevity and vitality.
I have worked with trainers for the past twelve years, and my current trainer, Carl, for more than six. I have two sessions a week, via Zoom right now, and exercise 2-3 additional days a week, including stretching, weight training, and cardio.
Why a trainer? First, you have a set appointment! It keeps you on track. Plus, a good trainer can help you progress properly, and has an eye for keeping you in proper form, even over Zoom. Carl began with a physical assessment, and then he started me slowly, with a plan for building me up. He advises that one should look for a trainer who will know how to work with you based on your stage of life and goals, is happy to hear your feedback, and accepts advice from your health professionals. Good trainers aren’t cheap. It is one of my major monthly expenses, but it’s worth it.
Ask about a trainer’s certifications. They aren’t all equal. Carl recommends Functional Movement Systems, National Academy of Sports Medicine, and ACE. Many top trainers have more than one certification. One of my requirements was that their manner didn’t remind me of my P.E. teachers!
I have improved my balance, flexibility, core strength, and cardio endurance. My resting pulse rate and blood pressure have gone down, and I sleep better. I can do things that most 74-year-old guys can’t, including some that I never would have tried on my own, like kettlebell swings and Turkish get-ups**, and I am sustained by my emunah sheleimah that my P.E. tormentors are in Gehenna, forced to do burpees for all eternity.
** These are both exercises that have to be properly taught, or you will hurt yourself. Here’s what a Turkish getup looks like. It took me weeks to master, but it works many muscle groups and builds core stability.
Read the Other Blog Posts in This Series:
Rabbi Michael Ungar: Finding the Parallels Between Fitness and Jewish Living