December 15, 2025

Can you multi task fitness?

Lessons from a Fit life.

Can you multi task fitness? No. Multi tasking is impossible. Only 2.5% of people can actually do it per this passage from over at the Cleveland Clinic:

We’re really wired to be monotaskers, meaning that our brains can only focus on one task at a time, says neuropsychologist Cynthia Kubu, PhD. “When we think we’re multitasking, most often we aren’t really doing two things at once. But instead, we’re doing individual actions in rapid succession, or task-switching,” she says.

Fitness is a multi task, a juggling act between working out, rest, diet, and preparation; and there are variables within each of those variables. You have to juggle so many (pins, balls, flaming knives) in the air it’s not always clear which one to aim at. We end up multi tasking; and doing none of them well.

Then we get discouraged.

Or stop.

There aren’t enough hours in the day to be an expert in every field.

I recommend two things. Firstly be a mono-tasker.

Focus on one thing at a time

If you try to start an exercise routine and a crash diet at the same time you’re simultaneously creating bigger calorie deficits while restricting calories. I’ve tried this. It drove me mad.

Try getting your workout routine in order and then adjusting caloric intake from there. Or get your diet in line and see how much exercise you can handle before the diet feels untenable.

Secondly, Get help.

Join a team or get a workout partner.

Split meal prep with your roommate or significant other.

Hire a coach to plan the workouts or suggest meals.

That’s the value of Trainers and Nutrition coaches. We lessen the need to multitask.

So shop for a trainer. Pick one who moves well, or who looks healthy and strong (we end up training you the same way we train ourselves).

two trainers exercising at Boston private training gym

On that note- have you seen how healthy and amazing our trainers are?

About the author

Stephen Allison

Stephen Allison founded Fit, a private personal training studio in Boston’s South End, after more than 20 years of coaching clients one-on-one. He trains runners, lifters and everyday athletes.

Want a coach in your corner? Train one-on-one with Stephen or another Fit trainer. Your first 45-minute session is free.

Keep reading

If more people knew what to do at the gym the world would be a fitter, healthier, better place. The great workouts is a series of blogs designed to solve this problem. Simply pick one of the workouts, head to the gym, follow along and know that your time was well spent. Today we’re adding the Debra to this list. All you need is a jump rope, a little bit of space to move around and you’re on your way
The original Navy Seal Pyramid is a progression: start with: 1 chin up 2 push ups 3 crunches.
Will copying the workouts of our fitness heroes and get as strong as they are?

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