Quote "There are no short cuts to any place worth going" - Beverly Sills

Vicki's Road Trip

December 09, 2025•3 min read

Howdy EFW Team!

“There are no short cuts to any place worth going.” Beverly Sills

My family and I recently took a road trip to visit friends in the middle of Tennessee. We took several days to travel there so that we could get out of the car and explore fun and different places along the way, including a hike to get some extra physical activity after days of sitting. (You can see the pics on my Facebook or Instagram accounts.)

What I really want to share with you is the beautify sights we were able to see from the hikes we took. There were a ton of man-made steps, but many were large and uneven. Every step I took on those perilous steps, I thought about our exercises in the gym - step ups, step downs, side steps, fast steps, balance training with paloff presses and the AMB bar. (You know, the bar with balls in it that roll back and forth.) I focused on my hip hinge to avoid my knees hurting. I made sure my toes were wide so I could step down with my whole foot to avoid twisting my ankle. I remembered to engage my core to avoid losing my balance on those slippery steps down to see the waterfalls.

Every exercise you do in the gym has a purpose to help you function well WHEN YOU LEAVE THE GYM!

What do you do when you leave the gym?

…sweep your floors or swinging a golf club? - We practice those movements with Palof presses, step and rotations, and chops.

…picking up your grandkids or picking up AFTER your grandkids - We practice those with pick ups and put downs while doing squats or lunges, kneel to stands, and heavy carries.

…traveling anywhere by plane, train or automobile - sit to stands, fast feet, really just about everything!

Every exercise of every workout will keep your muscles fit to move in and out and up and down.

Consistency of your workouts will give you the physical endurance to travel and walk and explore for several days.

Brain power used during your exercises will keep your mind sharp to make decisions like where and how your foot needs to land in different situations to remembering where you set down your phone.