Or, in the alternative, are there any entrepreneurs who believe that physical exercise results in a net negative (in terms of productivity) in light of all the other things (running ops, admin, payroll, employee retention programs, etc.) you have to do?
For those who believe that your exercise program clearly results in increased productivity/performance, what type of exercise are you engaging in (cardio/steady state, strength training/high intensity, strength training/volume hypertrophy, HIIT, functional fitness, sport specific, etc.)?
Agreed. Most changes to diet or programming will have a modicum of negative impact until the individual builds some adaptation to it.
Interesting how you note that intense exercise can decrease productivity, which is rational, but that you engage in it anyway due to the additional benefits it provides. So there is a balancing act between performance out of the gym (so to speak) and performance in the gym.
What are your considerations when making balancing decisions? Time is obviously a factor. High intensity requires less time (but perhaps more output from certain energy systems). Steady state cardio requires more time but taxes an energy system that is built to recover more quickly. Does your work day impact the exercise selection(s) for that day?
Definitely. Regular exercise is key for me, not just managing health but how I feel and function.
Since breaking a leg at the ankle at the beginning of the year, I had to find a new cardio since running was out, so I started bike commuting. Enjoying it more than I thought I would. By the end of the year, I’ll have done over 3000 miles on the ebike and another 1000+ on the regular cruiser bike. Cardio is as good or better than when I was running.
During the week, I also do Crossfit a couple of times, HIIT or functional weight training three times and Pilates 5-6 times. Plus my hobby is a sport that’s physical - usually I get to do that a couple of times a week. All do different things for me physically and mentally.
Your current training makes me believe your sport hobby is bjj because of your focus on functional strength.
After your injury, because your activity level is so varied and high, did you have reduced work performance? In what way? And has it improved since you were able to increase your exercise volume?
Working out is a good break from work for me that is also a productive habit. If I’m working and losing my attention to detail or capacity to retain information, I will go take a gym break. Nothing wild, but a little most days goes a long way!
Interesting. What type of work do you do? And is the gym focused on strength training (I assume not to failure most days?)?
Frequency every other day weather permitting.
Warm up (push ups, hamstrings, back) then 20 hard miles on bike.
Sounds like intensity is your go-to. In general, what kind of business are you in? What are your high level responsibilities?
I’m a consultant who works mostly with start-ups to make go/no-go decisions.
At least 4 days a week! The physical release, even if you just walk a couple of miles, is crucial to not losing your mind.
Mental health is definitely affected. Low impact may be energy conserving too so negative outcomes are reduce.
Yep! I have an autoimmune disease that forces me to pay attention to how much I do. 2 miles walking and a few weights or half an hour of yoga is all I can do if I want 6o work! You figure out what works for you and be consistent.
I do daily exercise and it’s a life hack and an output hack. I would say 8-figure delta minimum.
I don’t disagree. What is your exercise regimen?
Perfect week: hockey Sunday, spin bike Tuesday, Pump (strength cardio mix) and Squash Wednesday, spin bike Thursday.
Reality though is work and family interfere with that more often than not.
Cool to see squash making a resurgence lately. Wish my local gym would turn one of the spin class rooms back into the squash court it used to be…
As to OPs question. If I don’t get exercise it actually makes me less productive, less focussed and more prone to seat of the pants decisions. I have to make it part of my routine.
Haven’t played squash in decades. Everywhere out here is racquetball.
You think the productivity hit is greater when you can’t engage in cardio based exercise or strength training?
Agree on the effects of not getting exercise. I lose focus and have a pity party with myself.
I live in a small city, we have 3 squash courts but two are at the ymca where the drop in is $15/day for the whole gym and there isn’t a squash only price, so we end up using the beat up court on the arts campus.
But still, super fun time.
Does cocaine count as exercise? Cuz if it does, I exercise daily. Several times a day.
Of course, of course
I mean, if you don’t like cocaine we can’t be friends.
Additionally, if you do we can’t be friends either cuz I’m not sharing.
Every single morning M-F. I’ve lost about 17 lbs also. I’m much more clear and have more energy. For me being in shape is all part of doing the best at everything including my bank account.
I do 200 pushups in sets of 50 throughout the day, every day
Gives you flexibility to adapt to evolving work schedule though. And you can do it anywhere. Have you ever missed days, say due to work travel? What happens to mindset or work perception?
I work out about twice a week, cardio. It helps with my clarity and body mobility
Daily. Depending on what you do, you’re probably sitting for extended periods working. I need to break that up.
What do you do to break the inactivity? What types of exercise do you find beneficial for those with entrepreneur-type responsibilities?
I have a peesonal trainer that I see twice a week. I also do some basic 15-min exercises on the other days.
Health and fitness are more important than making money.
For sure. You can’t work at a high level if you’re ill or worse. How much should an entrepreneur prioritize it? What types of exercise should be prioritized, if any?
You prioritize it by putting it firts.
What type of exercise? That’s up to you. Different people prefer different tyoes of exercise.
Without working out I felt like I would be dying soon. Now two years later I feel like a young god. Great decision and everyone should try it if they have health problems. This is not a financial decision rather a decision you have to do for yourself.
And I bet a young god does better work in the office as well. How have you seen exercise over the last two years improve your professional performance/capacity? And what exercise modalities do you typically utilize?
Daily, 20 min, stretching and some resistance training. I sit too much, so it’s absolutely necessary.
Anything helps. Light resistance, as in calisthenics?
Anything I can do for in my office: push-ups, pull ups, set ups, …