Case Study ? Joining a Gym | Magna Health and Fitness

I?m happy to say that Sam and I are continuing to do great work together. My lack of writing a blog-post is in no way an indication of her lack of commitment. I?ve had several people ask me if Sam was still working her ass off, and I?m happy to say that YES, she is!

Based on Sam?s schedule and desire to get the most out of her workouts she decided to supplement our training with a gym membership. I immediately think of that episode of FRIENDS when Chandler begged and pleaded that he wanted to quit the gym. Joining a gym is not only a financial commitment, but also a psychological one. It?s as if you?re driving your stake in the ground and saying ?Yes! I?m going to workout? and by-golly you?d better go!

It was important for Sam to find a gym that had two major?amenities. The first and most important was child care and the second was a pool. This is an important note for anyone ready to take the plunge and wear spandex in public, make sure that you know what you need to get out of that facility, aside from fitness equipment.

There are a wide variety of gyms/facilities to choose from. What are you looking for?

• Cost
• Specific equipment like free weights, Hammer Strength, TRX or even an Arch Trainer
• Swimming pool
• Child care
• A track to run/walk around
• Locker rooms
• 24 hour access
• Multiple locations
• Variety of classes (Spin, Zoomba, etc) or group fitness included in the membership
• Group or private personal training
• Steam or sauna
• Reimbursement from your healthcare provider
• and more?

If you?re going to be spending any amount of money at a facility, it?s?important?that you?re getting what you want out of the facility. Many facilities make it difficult to cancel your membership, throwing wild cancellation fees at you and even making you a sign year-long contract.

Sam?s story of joining a gym was not uncommon from what other people face. Her story was almost comical, and therefore I asked that she share the experience in her own words.

?So I decided to join this particular gym for 3 reasons; it?s close to my house, it has childcare, and my best friend is a member. When Jenny encouraged me to start doing more cardio on our off-days, it seemed like the perfect time to join.

I went in one afternoon and requested to talk with someone who could give me a tour and get me signed up. I was matched up with a very nice person, we?ll call him M, who immediately made me feel comfortable. He asked me about what I was currently doing to workout and was very happy to learn of the progress I had already made. We talked about my goals and he encouraged me to seek him out if I ever had any questions or concerns. It turns out he is also the parent of a toddler, so he understood the specific challenges I face. All in all, I was extremely impressed with him and, by extension, the gym.?

At this point Sam in feeling confident and psyched to join. This is going to be a great supplement to our hard work and to keep her committed. Go Sam!

?But then Trainer M stepped away from his desk to print off my paper work, leaving me open to attack by a different trainer seated at an adjacent desk (let?s call him K). K wanted to compare tattoos and make small talk. Then things got uncomfortable. I will provide a rough transcript of our conversation.

K: So since we have so much in common, how about I give you a free training session.

Me: that?s really nice, but I have a trainer. She comes to my house 3 times a week.

K: (rolls eyes and speaks in a disdainful tone of voice) In-home trainer? That doesn?t work.

Me: (unable to hide my surprise) Really? I?ve lost 2 sizes in 6 weeks.

K: Well you won?t make much more progress than that. Don?t get your hopes up. You should schedule a session with me, then you will see how much better it is.

Me: I think I will stick with my trainer.

K: In- home training is so limiting. You can do so much more here.

Me: My trainer encouraged me to join the gym so I can do more cardio.

K: Just schedule one session with me. You wont regret it. Let?s get it on the books.

Me: I don?t know when I can come in. My schedule changes all the time and and I have a toddler at home.

K: So the excuses are starting already?

Me: Like I said, I am going to stick with my trainer. Thanks anyway.

K: I will just call you until you schedule with me.

Me: please don?t. I?m going to keep doing what I?ve been doing. Thanks again for the offer.

I wish I could convey the hostility that was oozing out of him. I was uncomfortable, discouraged, and most of all intimidated. If he has been assigned to sign me up instead of M, I NEVER would have joined. It took me a week to get up the nerve to go back there and workout.?

How many people have experienced something like this? I can?t even imagine how frustrating and dehumanizing it must have felt for her. For many people the thought of joining a gym is intimidating. I?ve heard over and over again, ?I?ll join a gym once I?ve lost enough weight to feel comfortable there.? It makes me so sad to hear that and I want to punch the sort of facilities that make people feel that way. ?And I agree with Sam, if I had not talked to Trainer M first, I would have walked out.

I am happy to report that she?s enjoying the combination of in-home personal training and taking full advantage of the gym she joined. She?s really looking forward to Spin classes!

In the meantime, Sam continues to shed pounds and drop inches. People are seeing the difference in her appearance and even her strength. She recently received a thumbs-up from her physical therapist to learn how to run, and who also commented on how much stronger she is.

Share your comments and words of encouragement! I?d like to include some in the next blog. If you?d like to comment on this case study or send any words of encouragement to Sam, please email casestudy@magnahealthandfitness.com

Some words of?encouragement?sent by a reader:

Hi Sam,

I don?t know you personally, and my background isn?t the same as yours. But I?m coming out of a major health setback, and have been slowly regaining my strength and stamina. I can totally relate on how you?ve gone back to old stress coping mechanisms, as I have found myself doing the same. During my health battle I had was primarily comforting myself with food. It was the only thing that seemed to help my nausea (and boredom). I?ve found it to be very hard to get away from that. I get stressed, and when I can?t turn to food I feel lonely and depressed. Sometimes I still do turn to food, it hasn?t been easy. My weight has gone up since I?ve started exercising again, but I know I?m leaner. You can do it! I?ve learned that setbacks are a part of any progression. As they say, two steps forward, one step back. Congrats on your inches lost, and lean body mass increase! Keep up the hard work and enjoy who you already are in the process.

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