Saturday, October 6, 2012

A bit about fitness and gyms.

Right now I should be studying. They are launching the new releases this weekend at both the gyms where I teach Balance. I'm at track 4 right now, out of 9. I need a bit of a break every now and then though so it's okay to be writing this. Don't tell me it's not cause I'm doing it anyway. I know I only have tomorrow left before I have to teach Balance and I have a nutrition workshop tomorrow and have friends coming over for dinner but none the less, I'm pretty sure I'll know the whole release by Monday. Except the sun salutations maybe; they drive me nuts already. I don't think the students on Monday will mind much if I mess up or use an old track. They're not very picky and the manager doesn't seem like the type to complain unless the participants complain. No one there really seems to care much about quality in general. It's a budget gym after all. Still, I don't think that should matter.


It's the same problem at the gym where I work as a fitness instructor. All the other instructors spend most of their time drinking coffee, chatting with their friends, checking facebook and horsing around. I'm one of those strange people who actually talks to members to ask what they're doing and why and tell them if those two things don't match and if they want to reach their goals maybe they should tuck in their elbows or not overstretch their joints or actually use the muscle they are trying to target. People keep telling me that no one has ever given them any tips on how to work out. It's crazy! That's what the instructors are there for after all. I have to admit that I probably know as much as the rest of the instructors combined and they're all really young so they don't have much experience, but the only way to learn anything is to ask questions and then go looking for the answer. Alas, they don't seem to care. And at this wage, I'm not surprised. It's more profitable to stay on the unemployment line. But still. This is not the kind of work you do to get rich easy. It's the kind of work you do because you have a passion for helping people to become healthy and live happier lives.

I know, I sound very idealistic. I'm afraid I am. That's the reason why I became an instructor. Because I have a passion. Because I want to make this world a better place because right now the world is ugly and I want to try to change it into a place I actually want to live in, one defective person at a time. But I can't do it alone. It would be nice if there were more instructors who share my passion. I know quite a few but they usually don't work at a low budget gym which is a shame because the people who can't afford proper guidance usually need it the most. They usually don't see what they are doing wrong and if no one tells them, they will never find out. This goes for everyone though. I'm only one person and I can't help everyone. The person who can help everyone is themselves. Sounds a bit odd but you know what I mean. If you're not sure if what you are doing is correct, or if you notice you're not making any progress even though you try very hard, or also if you are really sure you are doing everything right but never actually checked what anyone else thought about it, it might be a good idea to check with an instructor some time. See if you can find someone who looks like (s)he knows what's what and ask a few things. Tell them your goals and what you're doing to try to achieve them and see if they have any tips. Show them how you do an exercise and ask if your form is okay or if you could improve it a bit here and there to get more result. I know it should be the instructors who come to you if you're doing something wrong but it's time to face the facts. There are quite a few lazy ones out there and even the ones who are passionate and good at their jobs simply can't keep an eye on everyone all the time. So stand up for yourself and claim what's yours: the right to live in a healthy, fit body. Trust me, it will make life easier.


Just one more tip: try yoga. Seriously. Everyone! should try (read DO) yoga. You will benefit from it in ways you have never imagined. You can find good video's on-line if you can not afford a class.

1 comment:

  1. Of course instructors should advise people on what to do and .. what not to do. The times I went to worksout classes and I knew I was doing it wrong and could knacker my back but oh so rarely did a trainer say anything.

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