The Comparison Trap: Why Your Fitness Progress Feels Stuck (And What to Do Instead)
Every day at CrossFit 1864, people walk through the door ready to train.
Some are chasing their first pull-up.
Some are learning how to move better after years behind a desk.
Some are seasoned athletes pushing for new personal bests.
Yet, many of them—regardless of level—face the same mental hurdle:
“I should be further along.”
“They’re improving faster than me.”
“Why am I not getting stronger like them?”
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. And if you live in London, you’re probably feeling that pressure even more. This city rewards speed, progress, and performance. But in the gym, that mindset can be a trap.
Let’s break it down.
The Real Problem Isn’t Your Progress. It’s Who You’re Comparing Yourself To.
We tend to think comparison is motivation.
But more often than not, it leads to frustration.
You see someone lifting more, moving faster, looking leaner. You immediately question your own effort, your results, your body.
That thought spiral is subtle but dangerous.
Comparison is a thief. Not just of joy—but of progress.
Because instead of focusing on your training, you’re distracted by theirs.
Why Comparison Feels So Natural in a Gym Like Ours
CrossFit gyms are high-energy. Everyone trains together.
That’s what makes it powerful—but also what makes comparison so easy.
And in a city like London, where achievement is currency, it’s even more tempting to measure success by how you stack up.
But here’s the thing: you’re not training under the same conditions as everyone else.
You don’t have their:
Training history
Sleep schedule
Job stress
Nutrition habits
Injuries
Family responsibilities
What you’re really doing is comparing your real life to someone else’s highlight reel.
Fitness Progress Is Not Linear
Here’s what most people don’t realise:
Progress in fitness isn’t a straight line.
It looks more like a messy chart—spikes, dips, plateaus, bursts.
You might have a great week and then hit a wall. That’s normal. Growth cycles in phases, not perfect patterns.
Yet, when we compare, we assume the other person is always on a straight upward curve—and that we’re the only one struggling.
This assumption leads to a false conclusion:
“They’re just better at this.”
“I’m behind.”
“I’ll never get there.”
That’s a lie. You’re just not seeing their setbacks.
The Most Useful Comparison
There’s only one comparison that matters:
Are you doing better than you were yesterday?
That could mean:
Lifting 1kg more
Sleeping an extra hour
Showing up when you didn’t feel like it
Choosing real food instead of fast food
Scaling up a movement you used to avoid
None of these will go viral on Instagram.
But stack them up over time, and they change everything.
A Better Way to Measure Progress
Here’s a simple system to break the comparison habit and stay on track:
1. Track Your Own Data
Use a journal or app like BTWB.
Don’t just record weights—track effort, mood, sleep, wins.
Progress becomes obvious when you write it down.
2. Use Other People as Information, Not Judgement
Instead of thinking “They’re better,” ask “What can I learn?”
Someone improving faster? Ask them what changed.
Someone more mobile? Ask about their warm-up routine.
Curious about a movement? Ask your coach for drills.
Turn comparison into curiosity.
3. Set Process-Based Goals
Shift your focus from outcome (“I want to lift 100kg”) to process (“I’ll train deadlifts twice a week and recover well”).
Outcome goals rely on luck and timing.
Process goals rely on action. That’s where progress lives.
The Environment Matters Too
This is where CrossFit 1864 comes in.
We built this gym to be more than a space for training. It’s a space for learning, for growth, for showing up on good days and bad.
That’s why we celebrate:
First time jumping on a box
Finally linking toes-to-bar
Coming in after a hard week
Getting your first strict push-up at 40 years old
Lifting again after an injury
Prioritising fitness in a busy London life
If we only measured success by PRs or leaderboard finishes, we’d miss 95% of what actually matters.
You Don’t Need to Be the Best—Just Better Than Yesterday
Let’s go back to the quote:
“Focus on your lane. Progress in fitness isn’t always linear, and it’s never a race against others. The only real comparison worth making is between who you were yesterday and who you are today. Celebrate every rep, every small win, and remember—your journey is yours for a reason.”
That’s not just a motivational phrase—it’s a mindset.
When you embrace it:
You train more consistently
You enjoy workouts more
You stop second-guessing every decision
You actually improve faster, because you’re focused on you
Progress Looks Different on Everyone
London life will keep pushing you to go faster.
Your phone will keep showing you people who look ahead of you.
But the truth is, you’re already making moves.
Most people never walk into a gym.
You did. You kept showing up. You kept learning. That’s progress.
Next time you’re tempted to compare, do this instead:
Ask yourself: “What’s one thing I can do today to improve?”
Then go do it.
That’s the game. Small wins. Over and over.
And that’s how you become the person you were aiming to be.
