September 2016
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Challenge attracts global entrants
Industry should offer support to new exercisers By Olivia Taylor
UNREALISTIC expectations can lead to new exercisers giving up on their fitness journeys, according to one personal trainer, who believes the industry should be offering more support. Harrogate PT Shaun Hallett thinks some gyms are missing a trick when it come to providing their members with the tools they need to better their lifestyles. He said: “My personal take on this is that people don’t fully commit to the habit of exercise/training because they often don’t experience that progress. “This can be because they start with unrealistic expectations, do not receive suitably informed advice, or more often just do not have a plan that is personal to them. That’s where fitness professionals should play their part. “Our starting point is to talk to each prospective client about their habits, experiences, fears and expectations. It’s only by understanding the emotional perspective that sits behind people’s willingness, or unwillingness, to be active that you have a chance of shaping long term behaviour.” Sheffield gym owner Lizzie Markham agrees.
She added: “There have been so many occasions where I’ve been training in commercial gyms and there has been both male and females wandering around aimlessly trying to find someone to help them with a piece of equipment or how to execute a exercise properly. “If the obesity epidemic is going to improve we, as fitness professionals, need to be as supportive as possible to gymgoers, educate them and be there for them when they are unsure or lacking in confidence.” London bootcamp GB Active offers local residents the chance to train with top level athletes – and works hard to ensure participants want to return each week. Co-founder Patrick Jessell added: “The hardest part for us is always the initial push to get them coming for the first time. “We like to educate people on nutrition, and we always ask our clients what they’re looking to get out of their session. “The athletes that we work with are passionate about really trying to help people achieve their goals.” Q What do you think? Let us know how you support clients to achieve their goals and we could include your story in the next issue. Email ot@scriptmedia.co.uk with your comments.
No 276 £3
Top GB diver Tonia Couch is among those benefiting from industry schemes designed to help nurture the country’s sporting stars. Tonia is one of the athletes involved with Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions initiative, giving her free access to training facilities, funding and support. The scheme is just one example of operators doing their bit to get behind UK sport – from grassroots all the way up to elite level. Read the full story on page 6.
Leisure Industry Week issue
LEISURE provider LiveWire’s National Fitness Day challenge has gone global thanks to fitness fans from as far afield as America, Spain and Italy. The 1m rep challenge has now been completed by people in Hawaii, California, Majorca, The Vatican and even at the top of Mount Vesuvius in Italy. The epic challenge, which raises money for St Rocco’s Hospice in Warrington, asks people to play their part in completing 1m reps of squats, press-ups and burpees and post short videos to social media using the hashtag #1milrepchallenge and nominate friends to join in. There will be a final push to reach the total on National Fitness Day – September 7 – with a group repathon at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub. Senior LiveWire advisor for fitness Jake Smith said: “It’s fantastic that the one million rep challenge is proving so popular and has caught the attention of people across two different continents.”