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There is an old Southern saying, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters.” This sentiment is particularly true when inviting a friend to the gym with you. Some members are actually fearful that a friend or acquaintance might think they are calling them “fat” or insinuating that they “should” work out if they invite them to a class or open house. Fear not dear friends, herein are the conversation starters guaranteed to generate a genuine invitation that does not offend.
First, if you are talking to a close friend, there is likely nothing off limits and you don’t even need this! But, if you are new to an area and are trying to make a friend or go to the gym with a new friend, just be yourself. “I just love my Pilates instructor, you should meet her! Want to come to class with me next Thursday?” Keep it simple. If you try to explain too much about the class or why you chose this friend to invite, it will appear as if you may have an ulterior motive and this conversation may not yield the intended result. Make a statement, ask a question and let it rest. If there is any interest in your invitation, a conversation will naturally develop. If not, the subject will pass and no harm will be done. Move on and try another friend or another day!
If you are attempting to invite a friend or family member because there is a need for them to lose weight and/or become more active, DON’T PLAY DOCTOR! Your job in this situation is to be the support system. The doctor has likely spoken.
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An overlooked aspect of fitness is a movement assessment. Understanding motion at each joint allows a fitness practitioner to prescribe exercises designed to increase overall movement ease and efficiency. Traditionally, fitness professionals aren’t taught integrated muscle action; rather we are taught a muscle's action is the shortening, or concentric act. When looked at in this fashion, it is important to recognize this is the isolated (or link) action of the muscle, with traditional strengthening exercises illustrative of this thought process. However rarely do muscles act in isolation; rather they work together, in an integrated (or chain) action contrary to tradition. When this is understood, the principle that we are designed to react to gravity and ground reaction sets in, and our paradigm regarding exercise and movement can progress. No longer are we limited by strengthening a specific muscle, such as the quad via a leg extension, or a hamstring by a leg curl. No more ‘good girl, bad girl’ exercises to strengthen the hip’s abductors and adductors. In this paradigm, we see that in isolation the quad will extend the knee, however in integration, the quad controls knee bending, while the hamstrings, glutes, deep hip rotators, gastroc/soleus, anterior & posterior tibialias congruently control the lower extremities fight against gravity.
To illutstrate this point, perform a right leg forward lunge (or just step forward) and stop at the bottom; we will call this R staggared stance. This will flex R knee and hip, while dorsiflexing the ankle and internally rotating the entire lower extremity (while the foot collapses into the ground) relative to its starting position.
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Becky Yount is a fitness professional who takes the time to appreciate those around her. She also regularly writes SCW about positive experiences and applications of her MANIA courses. We appreciate her enthusiasm for the educational opportunities MANIA provides and thought the New Year was an appropriate time to share this lovely story about making lemonade from the lemons of an early Saturday morning!
Recently, on a Saturday morning, I arrived at the Club to teach, not only my 8:30am Lift class and 9:30am Pilates Fusion class, but I had also offered to sub the 7:30am Cycle class. At 7:15am I found myself in the GX room with the keys to the stereo cabinet missing. I had heard of this happening to others, but not to me, not until now at least.
The receptionist was on the phone trying to find the missing keys; calling managers, apologetic, and even mentioning the dilemma to the members as they came in for the Cycle class.
This is where the training I have received, not on how to teach a certain class format, or choreography, but the mentoring of amazing people like Skip Jennings, Linda McHugh, Jay Blahnik and Doris Dodge saved my morning. Those who have modeled amazing attitudes, inspiring outlooks, and positive and professional personalities.
Aha! A new challenge! A great adventure! A new opportunity to be positive and make the best out of the situation. And besides, how many Aqua classes have I taught with no stereo system even available? Too many to count!
Returning from the front desk I lifted my head and walked in and said, “Guess what?” They grumbled (thinking class would be canceled) “We heard!” They thought maybe I would sing for them! Since that wasn’t going to happen, I said a quick prayer, introduced the class, myself, and asked if anyone was “new.” There was one. I looked at her with a big smile and said, “You get to be part of something very special today!” [Read More] |
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