My Experiences with Gym life, Stereotypes, and Education

My Experiences with Gym life, Stereotypes, and Education

Many things came to mind when I decided to write a blog on my experiences so far at Inner Strength. First of all, I once got an Excellence for writing so you are all in for a treat… it was a short story about my dog and was very riveting so I will try and keep up with the standard.

Stereotypes, now most of us have either been a stereotype or thought about someone else being in a stereotype. I know I definitely have. So what about gyms? What are some stereotypes that come to mind? Society will foolishly have us answer that we notice the gigantic shredded males in their non-existent tank tops posing in the mirror discussing how they mixed their protein this morning and the word “gains” getting used in every sentence. Or beautiful woman in the shortest of shorts admiring the new filter on their phones and if that picture was Instagram worthy. I am yes being very stereotypical, but isn’t that what some people imagine when they hear the word “gym”, isn’t that why some people would never step inside; Intimidation, loud music, sweat, “ONE MORE REP!” and of course the lovely sounds that pour out of the exhausted mouths that make us question am I man or animal?

I once shared these thoughts. Sixteen, ten kg’s heavier, fresh faced and Bushy tailed with a dream of completing one “male” push up with classic wash board abs. The thought of venturing into the dark and scary place that people called “gyms” held me back. After doing my own research and deciding my lifestyle needed to change I decided to take the plunge. I booked an appointment with a woman’s gym and immediately tried to think of way to get out of it. I was anxious and nervous about taking the first steps. After mustering up enough courage I walked through the weighty doors, (apparently, the workout started there) and what an idiot I was, I absolutely fell in love.

The training became a part of my life and I have never looked back. I lost the extra body fat from the exercise but from the change in nutrition and outlook on life and I couldn’t have felt better. Many of you reading this would have experienced this feeling; it becomes your lifestyle, your thoughts and your motivation. Taking the plunge into leading a healthier standard of living opened my eyes into what I want to do as a career and how I can help others feel the same way about fitness as I do.

Study and three years of experience under my belt and with the goal of gaining more education, widening my own capabilities and experience took me to Inner Strength Performance Centre.

When I first walked into Inner Strength I noticed the people first. Exuberant Faces that presented chances, potential and professionalism. All of which I had never accounted before, this was not a gym, this was a performance centre completely different to any commercial gym I had ever entered. I knew from that moment I wanted to have my career here.

After meeting a lot of the team and promoting myself my unlucky nature had turned; I had the opportunity to become an Inner Strength Personal Trainer.

So how can I get people to notice me? How can I stand out amongst the crowd? How can I turn around these opinions and stereotypes that most gyms have?

I need to learn, be, do, demonstrate and emit more.

“The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice”

-Brian Herbert

Inner strength is the facility that constantly pushes their coaches to both learn and do more. This isn’t learning one new thing every 6 months or going to a seminar once in a blue moon, it is ongoing and it’s expected. Every trainer needs to be involved no matter on what experience level. Everyone takes the time to learn more. The fitness industry is always growing and always changing. We must adapt to these changes and become someone who soaks in knowledge and the experience of others.

“All failure is failure to adapt; all success is successful adaptation”
–Max Mckeown

Weekly up-skills are a rite of passage at Inner Strength, it shows the professionalism and standard we want to pass to our members and clients. Using the experience of our trainers as well as others allows us to have a discussion about what’s new, what’s hot right now and how we better ourselves and the facility.

My experience so far has seen me at weekly meetings, up-skills, theory, practical sessions and seminars. My diary has never been so full; I actually had to buy a diary.

Education manager, Pete Joblin is the head coach responsible for teaching and tracking the Personal trainers. His expertise and experience has shaped how we run our orientations and sessions as well as performing at the highest level of standard for our clients.