The Fitness Guru ReturnsAdam Gilbert

Way back in the early days of Study Hacks, I introduced you to fitness guru Adam Gilbert. I was drawn to his story because he had left his high-prestige job at Ernst & Young to start My Body Tutor, a web-based company that has Adam, and his team of trainers, work daily with clients to help them stick to their fitness plan. I like stories of young people following innovative paths, and Adam’s path was certainly fascinating.

Since then, Adam has become my go-to guy for fitness advice. I recently asked him to help me put together an article I’ve long envisioned: a collection of simple fitness algorithms that can help a college student stay in shape without requiring a rigid schedule or complicated, finely-tuned workout. I was inspired in these efforts by Michael Pollan’s famous simplification of eating advice: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

Adam came through. Below are his simple fitness algorithms. (Of course, if you like what you hear, or are interested in becoming more serious about fitness or weight loss, check out Adam’s site.)


Adam’s Fitness Algorithms

  • Exercise 4 times per week for at least 30 minutes. Don’t worry about a specific, super-focused, perfect workout. Anything active counts: Basketball, jogging, weights, push ups, etc.
  • Follow the two day rule! You can’t miss 2 days of working out in a row. You can skip one day. But not the next.
  • Don’t let the “Exercise Monster” build up. When I don’t do laundry for a while it becomes what I like to call the ‘Laundry Monster’. It builds up in my head and I avoid doing it at all costs. Until finally, I have to. And it’s never as bad as I think it’ll be! Don’t let this happen to you. Follow the two day rule.
  • Don’t focus on exercising at a certain time. Just focus on making time to exercise!
  • Make it fun! Listen to music; join a nice gym; etc. Bonus: If you love working out with music as much as I do, only listen to your favorite music while you workout. I’ve actually gone to the gym just to listen to my music.
  • Focus on how you want to feel. We always feel energized after we workout. Yet, we usually skip exercise when we’re feeling tired! Remember: Exercise will give you energy. Want more energy? Exercise more!

“Warren Buffet said it best,” Adam told me. “‘The best investment you can make is in yourself!’”