So, contenders, you want to become the best version of yourself. We understand. We strive to better ourselves every day. The good news is that, so long as you’re willing to work hard and push your limits, you can reach your full potential. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or you’re an experienced athlete, the key to success is careful planning.

If you plan on winning your fitness journey, goals and objectives keep you on track.

A plan keeps you accountable. It gives you structure. It gives you a reason to train even when you’re tired or unmotivated. But every plan needs a goal and an objective. You need to know what you’re aiming for, why you’re aiming for it, and how you’ll get there.

We often hear that the goal is what you want, and the objective is how you’ll get it, and for the most part, that’s true. But is it really that simple? Below, we consider the differences between goals and objectives, why you need both, and how to set goals and objectives for your own training.

Why Do You Train?

Everyone starts somewhere. Every goal, and every objective begins with the ‘why’. There’s a specific reason why you train, why you get out of bed and meet your coach for a one-on-one coaching session.

What’s your reason? What’s your personal ‘mission statement’? Maybe you love being healthy, or you crave new challenges, or you love smashing your own personal records. The ‘why’ is different for everyone, so we can’t tell you the answer.

What we can tell you is that you should work out what training means for you because this will help you set the right goals and objectives.

Goals - What Are They?

Goals are a specific outcome you’re working towards. They’re the ‘what’ that you’re hoping to achieve. Goals, then, can be short or long-term, and once you crush that goal, you can pick a new one.

Why You Need Goals

When you crush your goal, it’s satisfying. You feel like a winner, and that’s exactly what you are. Why? Because a goal is a destination, and it takes hard work to get there. Goals help us better ourselves.

• Goals give you purpose. They give you a reason for getting up and smashing the day.
• When you set goals, you’re answerable to yourself. You can hold yourself accountable, whether it’s making sure you get up an hour early to train or eating healthily.
• Goals help you achieve things you never thought possible. They push you beyond your preconceived limits.

Whether it’s running a 10k or breaking a PR in the weights room, a goal is something tangible you can work towards. Our advice? Revisit your goals regularly and make sure you’ve always got something to aspire to.

Now you’ve chosen your goal, or your destination, you need a roadmap to get there. That’s where objectives come in. They give your journey structure, as you’ll see.

What We Mean By Objectives

Objectives help you achieve your desired goal. They help you see ‘how’ to reach the outcome. In other words, objectives let you measure your progress. What’s great about objectives is that you can reassess them if your needs change, or if you’re no longer working towards the original goal.

Why Objectives Are Important

If the goal is the destination, then the objectives are the stops along the way. Objectives help us set out how we plan on reaching a larger goal. When we combine goals and objectives, we’re designing a strategy for success.

• Objectives make goals achievable because they break the journey into smaller, manageable steps.
• What’s more, objectives keep you accountable, because you’re tracking your progress at regular intervals.
• In other words, if you’re missing your objectives or targets, it’s time to dust yourself off and push a little harder.
• Objectives let you celebrate victories and achievements along the way, which keeps you motivated. Motivation is essential, particularly when you’re pursuing long-term goals.

So, contender, if you’re serious about raising the bar on your personal limits, you need both objectives and goals. Wondering how to set these all-important goals and objectives? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Choosing Goals

Now we understand why goals are key to your short and long-term success, it’s time to start setting goals for yourself. How do you choose the right goals, though? Here are some tips to get you started.

• Be specific. You should be able to quickly and clearly explain your goal, whether it’s ‘I want to hold a plank for five minutes’ or ‘I want to run a 10k next year’.
• Be realistic. There’s no point setting goals you know you can’t reach yet. Set yourself realistic, attainable goals for you. Remember, contender...your only competition is you. Set yourself up for a win every time.
• Be committed. It’s easier to achieve your goal, whether it’s a short or long-term outcome if you care about it. Choose something you’re really passionate about.
• Be positive. You’re challenging yourself, not punishing yourself. You’re making yourself a stronger, healthier, happier version of you. Your vision, or perspective, matters, and you’re more likely to succeed if you see yourself as the winner you are.

Setting Objectives

Once you know the goal you’re aiming for, how do you get there? Here’s how to set helpful long and short-term objectives for your goals.

• Stay relevant. The objective should directly serve your goal. For example, if you want to lose 10lbs, objectives may include calorie tracking and attending two Gloveworx sessions per week.
• Choose measurable objectives. The great thing about objectives is that they let you track your progress and revise your strategy if necessary. For example, if you aren’t losing weight, maybe it’s time to add in some more objectives to keep you accountable, such as a private coaching session.
• Keep your objectives simple and succinct, just like your goals. You should clearly understand your objectives and how they fit into your plan.

Here’s the thing: you can’t have a goal without a strategy, and you can’t have objectives if you don’t know what you’re working towards. You need goals and objectives to keep you focused, driven, healthy, and successful.

Smash Your Goals

If you’ve reached the end, you’re clearly serious about achieving your potential by setting attainable personal goals and objectives. We can’t wait to meet you, which is why we hope you include a group session or private training at Gloveworx into your training strategy.

Trust us, whether it’s a 30 minute or one hour session, you won’t regret it. In fact, it might just be the best fitness decision you make.

No more excuses, contenders...it’s time to step forward and identify how far you can push yourself.