What used to be a rather American phenomenon has long since spilled over into Germany: 50% of all adult women and a full 65% of all adult men in Germany are overweight. And the trend continues to rise. From a health point of view, this is extremely alarming - fortunately, however, more and more people are taking the step toward a healthier lifestyle, and many are finding their way to a gym. Here you can find out how you, as a gym operator, can cater specifically to this customer group.
Proportion of morbid obesity on the rise
Today, it's perfectly normal for a man to have a belly of affluence or a woman to have a bit of waistline. 73.2% of all men in Germany wear a size 50 or larger, and more than half wear a size 52 or larger. This trend is also visible among women: the majority of women in Germany wear clothing size 42-44, and the deviation into even larger sizes is significantly higher than into the smaller sizes. Excess weight is therefore completely normal today and, with "a few pounds too many on the ribs", also completely unproblematic from a health point of view. But the proportion of people suffering from morbid obesity is also getting higher and higher. Good that very many humans dare finally the way into the Fitnessstudio around actively against the predominance to fight. The excess pounds are not only an aesthetic problem, they also pose considerable health risks: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and even an increased risk of certain types of cancer increases in direct correlation to being overweight.
Fit in the fall: tips for gym owners
Make it easier to start exercising - boost self-confidence and motivation
Most "round" people are aware of the health risks, but the primary goal is usually to reduce their clothing size. Starting to work out is difficult for many - the gym is associated with the slim and beautiful. The average overweight person knows that they will be judged for their body measurements and that other exercisers will see them as having the training goal of "losing weight" from their first visit to the gym. At the same time, an above-average number of overweight people consider themselves to be unathletic, weak-willed and inefficient per se, and exercise is seen more as a necessary evil.
However, it is very important to rediscover the joy of exercise and to set realistic goals in order to train successfully. This calls for a sensitive approach on the part of the trainer. With a little know-how, trainers can help alleviate fears and anxieties right from the start of fitness.
A sensitive approach is needed right from the anamnesis and initial fitness tests: focusing on body fat measurements or emphasizing unathleticism naturally has a demotivating effect. For an overweight person, simply signing up for a gym is a big step, often taken only on the advice of a doctor - and after all self-directed measures have failed. This person is already extremely aware of his weaknesses anyway - rubbing them in his face again at most confirms the fears and directly causes discouragement. It is better to work out the strengths of the person. When analyzing body composition, well-developed muscle groups can be highlighted or coordination skills or general mobility can be addressed.
In general, this first conversation is about strengthening motivation to the point where regular training becomes possible and signaling: "Great that you want to change something. The first step is done, you are here! You'll get all the help you need with all the next steps!"
Define training goals sensitively
As mentioned at the beginning, the primary goal of most chubby fitness seekers is initially to improve their aesthetics in order to get back closer to society's ideal of beauty. Quite a few overweight people secretly dream of the holy "Size Zero", the fashion industry does the rest to suggest to women in particular that a size 38 is already unacceptable and "too fat". Here it is important to sensitively define realistic goals together with the person willing to train.
The basis for this should be the SMART method. Even large companies use this method to define their goals, but the method is also extremely helpful for any individual when it comes to setting goals for themselves:
S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Attractive
R - Realistic
T - Terminable
This means: "I want to become as slim as possible as quickly as possible!" is not a training goal that can be implemented in a meaningful way. It is better to define a big goal using the SMART method, but at the same time set many milestones along the way. Better: "I want to lose 15kg in the next 12 months." Even better is to make the client aware that it's not about losing weight alone, but about a change in the body that comes with many benefits.
Small steps with a big effect
It is very important, especially at the beginning, that measurable successes occur after just a few training units. Going to the scales can cause a lot of frustration, especially at the beginning of training - many overweight people expect true miracles from an hour of exercise. If then not after the first week immediately several kilos less are indicated, the despair is often large. To buffer this frustration, it is helpful to use other measurable successes to strengthen motivation. An increase in the distance covered during cardio training, an increase in training duration, an improvement in breath analysis or resting pulse are small milestones that can be influenced relatively quickly through exercise. And success begets success - no one likes to fail, while success boosts motivation and can provide real highs.
Buffer the motivation hole
After 8-10 weeks, most people who have set themselves athletic goals fall into a motivation hole. This affects virtually everyone who trains, but overweight people are particularly susceptible. To prevent the client from never going back to the gym after these 8-10 weeks, it makes sense to take measures against this beforehand. Close supervision of the customer can help, and fixed training times are also useful in overcoming the customer's inner weakness. Training with like-minded people also helps through "tough times" - if the opportunity exists, it is helpful to bring together exercisers with similar backgrounds. For example, a mentoring system could be implemented where new clients are matched with a member who has a similar background but is more advanced in training.
Training staff should also be made aware - even a brief conversation between door-to-door can boost motivation. It should always be emphasized how much the trainee has already achieved and that every further training brings him closer to his goals and a better quality of life.
Conclusion
Being overweight is an extremely sensitive issue for those affected - it starts with slight excess weight, and the negative feelings of those affected increase with the amount of excess weight. In order to retain this customer group and motivate them to exercise regularly, it is important to strengthen self-esteem, eliminate fears, neutralize feelings of guilt and shame, and boost motivation. In this way, it is possible to care for this group of customers sensitively and thus turn them into satisfied, long-term members.
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Editorial fitnessmarkt.de (DG)
Image Source: #230901855 Prostock Studios / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 4 October 2019