Throughout my career I’ve noticed that people who are physically fit create a much better first impression. Prospects become clients, candidates become team members and audiences pay more attention when you exude the Zing! which comes from feeling terrific.

However in designing your exercise program, it pays to beware fads, myths and poor technique.

Thanks to a lifetime interest in fitness, I have seen numerous exercise fads come and go. A classic is the quest for the elusive “6 Pack”. Despite “spot reduction” being completely, comprehensively discredited, one still sees “Ab Blaster” devices advertised on television and people futilely labouring away in the gym on their stomach muscles. In reality a washboard stomach is the sole domain of bodybuilders and top sports professionals. For the rest of us, it is unachievable and unnecessary for well being. As a variation on the theme, I predict that the current fixation on “core strength” will be seen to be excessive and at the expense of overall fitness.

So too, don’t let spending money be a substitute for effort. Riding a $10,000 bike may make you ride slightly faster than a $1,000 machine, but it won’t get you any fitter. Squeezing into compression tights might make you feel sleek but won’t get you any stronger. (You’ll also look ridiculous.)

I also frequently see unhelpful training methods get passed on in gyms around the country. It might for example make you feel all pumped but swinging the weights up and flexing at the knees whilst doing curls won’t result in your biceps getting any bigger. Concentrating on fancy machines is also sub-optimal because it excludes the secondary, stabilizing muscles that are otherwise incorporated in using free weights. Another poor technique is “locking out” on the leg press which puts unnecessary strain on your knees.

To avoid such mistakes, ensure you seek professional guidance. It’s also helpful to read up on the activities you have adopted for your exercise regime.

Excerpt from Professional Headspace, Scott’s book on professionals in practice.