Group Personal Training Etiquette
What You Should Know About Group Personal Training
Group personal training can be a good way to get out of the house, meet some new people, and, above all, get into shape. Working out in a group setting allows you the opportunity to feed off the energy, enthusiasm, and encouragement of others, and will motivate you to do your best – after all, no one wants to be the lazy person in a group. Traditionally, working out with a personal trainer has been a solo endeavor, so some people are a little unsure of how to behave in a group setting. There are a few basic etiquette tips that will help you to get along with your group and make the best of your experience.
The first tip is to be fair about time with the trainer during your group personal training sessions. Some people have a tendency to take up the attention of the trainer, constantly asking questions, asking for personal demonstrations, and demanding encouragement. Some of this is okay in small doses, but you don’t want to hog the trainer to yourself. The other students will need their attention too. If you’re really struggling, see if one of your classmates can help you out. It’s a great way to make a new friend.
That brings up another valuable tip: know when to leave people alone. For many people, it’s natural to try to help others who are struggling, but you have to remember that not everyone actually wants your help. They might want the satisfaction of having overcome difficulties on their own, they might take your offer for help as an insult, or they simply might be uncomfortable accepting help and advice from a total stranger who isn’t even a certified personal trainer or fitness expert. If you see someone struggling and the trainer isn’t available to help them, it’s okay to politely ask if they need a hand, but if they say no, don’t push it. If they accept your help, use words to explain what they need to do; don’t touch them or try to physically guide their body to move a certain way.
Touching someone, even if you mean to help, can be very violating and you don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or cause a scene. If you feel that you’ll come across as arrogant by offering help, you can ask that person to help you it in exchange. This way, everyone feels comfortable and everyone benefits.
Another group personal training tip is to be aware of your actions. Really getting into a workout is a great thing, but people might not be a fan of you repeatedly grunting, moaning, growling, or making other sounds. Some of that is to be expected, but try not to get too dramatic. Similarly, watch those enthusiastic arms and legs. Make sure you have enough space to move around, because no one likes to be accidentally hit in the face while working out. Along those same lines, make sure your clothing is appropriate. You might feel comfortable going to the gym in spandex short shorts, but when people have to stand right next to you, you want to make sure you don’t have any body parts poking out that no one wants to see.
Group personal training is a great way to get to know some new people with similar fitness interests, but remember, this is not a meet and greet put on by an online dating service. Try to keep the chatter to fitness-related stuff, and don’t distract people who are concentrating on their workout with anecdotes about your personal life. You are all there to work out and that should be the key focus. If you are in a class with both men and women, watch where your eyes are going. It doesn’t matter how attractive the person next to you is, they probably don’t want to be gawked at. Many people already feel self-conscious while working out in public, and having people stare at them only makes it worse, even if you don’t think you’re being inappropriate. Be friendly, but don’t be the gym creep. Nobody likes that guy.
Joining a group personal training class can be a lot of fun and very rewarding, but some people are still a little self-conscious about the whole idea. If you follow these tips, you should easily be able to navigate your way through some of the more social aspects of the class, and that will make your workout that much less stressful and more fun.
Featured images:
License: Image author owned
Revolution Personal Training provides fun and rewarding group personal training classes.
Tags: body building, Exercise, fitness tips, fitness training, Group Personal Training
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Share your views...
0 Respones to "Group Personal Training Etiquette"
Post a Comment