Personal trainers, Gyms and Gymtimidation

 

Southampton Personal Trainer Gen Levrant with Katie Martin

With BBC Radio Solent’s Katie Martin

I was so excited to be invited back on to BBC Radio Solent to talk Gymtimidation with the lovely Katie Martin!

Having began my career working in public gyms, I feel I could have talked for HOURS about the endless array of problems that I used to see everyday! The biggest one being just how intimidating and daunting January newcomers used to find the environment and atmosphere. Just where did all these people come from?!

The first few weeks of January within a public gym can be like nothing; even the regular users, have ever seen before. A great friend of mine sent me this poster a few weeks ago which made me laugh a lot 🙂

Gen Levrant Personal Trainer SouthamptonAs a Personal Trainer, in January I would struggle to get on the equipment I needed for my client’s session, I would set up circuits to find someone had swiped the dumbbells I had laid out if my back was turned, and had trouble finding a sufficient bit of space to train my client in safely!

So all in all, not a great environment for members OR personal trainers (and one of the main reasons I now train my clients out of a private studio!)

The main points I felt I needed to stress while I was talking to Katie were if you don’t think the gym is right for you, then please don’t join one thinking you will change your mind, especially if you decide to join in January!

If you have never joined a gym before, it is not the be all and end all if your New Years Resolution is to be more active. Instead, think about what you WOULD enjoy. Try a few different things: if you enjoy being around nature, look into what nature walks are in your local area.

If you enjoy swimming, find a pool and go for a swim. If you like the idea of a class but are worried about lacking co-ordination, have a look for a class for beginners or all abilities. This is why we created our 6 Week Boot Camp class, so EVERYBODY could join in, regardless of age, fitness level and ability and have a great time all getting fit together.

And if you DO want to join a gym, my advice would be to get an induction with as many instructors as possible. The instructor can very much dictate your entire experience of the gym and it is their responsibility to make you feel safe, valued and comfortable. And, as a paying customer, you are entitled to nothing less!

If you are considering hiring a personal trainer, again speak to a few different ones and you will then know whether or not they are the right person for you.

You can listen to my interview with the lovely Katie here.

Until next time, I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2014 free from gymtimidation!