Floater at the gym
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Floater at the gym
| Mon, 03-07-2005 - 9:27pm |
There is a woman who attends both my evening step classes quite faithfully. She annoys the #$%* out of me, because...she doesn't work. She steps for a couple minutes, doesn't use her arms, goes to get water. Now if that was all she could do, and was sweating, I'd be perfectly satisfied with that. I wonder why she even bothers showing up. I guess it is better than if she was parked on the couch with a bag of chips...
but what would you do? I've tried everything to get her to work harder, push herself the TEENSIEST bit, but she says, "it's too hard". I'm afraid to do anything MORE because I don't want her to stop coming.
What to do?!?!?



We all look for different things when we work out so as long as she's happy with what she's doing, she's moving which is better than not, let her be.
Maybe she's got medical issues that prevent her (or at least inhibit her) from working harder? You might mention that she seems to have trouble with the class and you really want her to enjoy herself and is there anything you can do to facilitate that...
One of the things I've learned as a PT is that people greatly underestimate their own abilities. I cannot even count how many times I've demonstrated an exercise only to have my client look at me like I'm nuts and then proceed to perform the exercise flawlessly. Often times, people just need to have someone with enough confidence in them.
And of course, there are people for whom the gym is a social hour or delude themselves into thinking that if they manage to cross the gym threshold, they've worked out. :)
All you can do is give her the tools to do the workout safely and effectively. You cannot force anyone to do something they're inclined against. What you can do is present the benefits of a good workout. Instead of just presenting choreography for them to follow, which leaves them - consciously or unconsciously - asking themselves why they're doing this, let them know what they're getting from the workout (when its done correctly) so they think instead, "Why not?" Does that make sense?
(If you need me to elaborate, just ask. I have to get my rear & gear for work so I don't have time at the moment, but would happy to later.)
Edited 3/14/2005 11:36 am ET ET by soleilune