In March the weather changes from freezing cold to just … cold. It’s a month that, temperature wise, is bearable.
Many Americans suddenly feel revived during this month. Those suffering from SAD symptoms feel in better spirits, want to do exciting things, and look forward to positive physical changes in their bodies. The bottom line is they feel the need to get ready for what we call a “Beach Body.”
Yep! More pressure for the personal trainer. After months of being inactive, these ordinary folks suddenly look for another magical potion. We trainers need to act fast enough and put our clients through severe regimens that will enable them to start seeing differences in a very short time.
We then need to come up with something fun, different and exciting. We need to keep our clients entertained with funny new stories. We need to remove the wax out of our ears to be better listeners because we’ll need to ask them if they’ve resolved their past problems. This shows that we’ve paid attention to their concerns. In return, we enjoy brownie points (meaning our clients will buy more personal training sessions from us).
As mentioned for the month of February, Spring Break is still in action for some schools, and more college students are looking for the body they’ve been dreaming about for the past year. Six (not beer) packs abdominal become an obsession for these kids. They want to impress the opposite sex as they strut their stuff on the beach. We see them running several hours on the treadmill until they drop. They feel like they can make drastic changes prior to hitting their sunny destination. Weird way of thinking, but what can we do?
WE just laugh at the situation. We try approaching some of them, especially when we see a danger of them injuring themselves by lifting heavy weights. We let them know that their next destination will be the emergency room, and not a beach resort. Some will listen; others will look at us like we’re aliens. We are obligated to instruct the member about how to lift properly; it’s their choice to listen to, or ignore, our advice. Members enter the gym at their own risk. They must sign a waiver form that says, if they injure themselves, it’s because they didn’t listen to trainers who know better.
So make your experience at the gym more pleasant. Open your mind and listen to the personal trainers. They’ve been through a thorough training from some illustrious personal training academy and are certified to instruct gym attendees on how to exercise properly.
March offers a fantastic opportunity for personal trainers to reel in new clients. Soon after the New Year’s Resolution members have cancelled their memberships (retreating to their old habits of pigging out), new members join with wide-eyed wonder and unrealistic hopes of incredible changes for their bodies. We need to provide them with these changes.
Some of these new members are getting ready for their friends’ wedding events, which happen mostly during the beginning of spring. They need to fit into their bridesmaid dresses. Some of them are actually the brides. With the new show from Discovery channel that was launched a year ago, showcasing buff brides, we saw personal trainers taking the “brides-to-be” through twelve weeks of training prior to their wedding day. Yes, twelve whole weeks. But what happens AFTER the wedding day? Well, some slide back to their “Goodyear Tire” waistline. Others continue their regimen, and dare we say it, even start looking better! To each her own.
More and more people join a gym because they feel more alive with the improved weather. Running outside enhances cardio health, and breathing in fresh air (versus indoor body odor) makes a world of difference. So why they want to come inside a sweaty gym is beyond our comprehension but, hey, who are we to judge? We’re here to help! People are in better moods and social interaction among members increases. Those who drowned themselves in chocolate on Valentine’s Day, have opportunities to meet new people and get themselves back on track.
The month of March is a chance for members to purchase more training sessions. New budgets are released at their jobs; more members are getting raises, new promotions, and more money in their pockets. The gym promotes their personal trainers and invites members to purchase sessions at discount rates. It’s a win-win situation all-around.
Finally, we want people to know that personal trainers do not exist to make money or hit on new members. We’re here to share our knowledge and to make you feel better about yourselves. Personal trainers are dedicated individuals who are fully involved in their careers, and in your life, making sure that you wake-up every morning looking forward to your day, looking forward to your work-out. We want to be the ones who see you smile every time you walk into the gym. This makes personal trainers proud of whom they are.
Dan Amzallag
Gloateus Maximus: Inside and out of personal trainers lives
Book available at http://www.fitnesstrainersnetwork.com
Accredited and certified personal trainers for USA and Canada
