In The Spirit of Fitness

Where the hell is the fitness industry headed? It’s a shame that the fitness industry is much more focused on profits rather than people.

Let me tell you a little story.

Yesterday Zuzana met with a couple of friends at the gym. They asked her to help them out and show them how to use some of the equipment.

…they had to ask Zuzana because the “staff” was too busy to help them out.

Now I’m not going to say the name of the gym …that would be unprofessional. But it was a “Club” that “Athletic” people go to in Brantford Ontario Canada. ‘Nuff said 😉

Let me make something clear. This was not a personal training session – it was a friend helping out other friends.

After their workout …the head “Trainer” pulled Zuzana aside and confronted her about doing personal training within the club. Zuzana let the dude know that she wasn’t training anybody – that she was just helping out friends.

After threatening to revoke Zuzana’s membership …our “Trainer” friend told Zuzana that if our friends needed help that they could purchase personal training at the club. Which cannot be purchased in single sessions ….one must purchase a package.

He then went on to give some stellar (please sense my sarcasm) advice. He told her that in the future she shouldn’t give anybody help for free.

You heard that right!!

Because it “devalues her services.” He then went on to explain that he would even charge his family for training sessions.

After a 10 minute lecture he finally stopped talking in circles for long enough for Zuzana to say something. She mentioned that they felt neglected and were about to quit …and as far as she’s concerned that she saved them a couple of members.

She suggested that if they had time to show people around the equipment a little bit that people would be far more encouraged to actually use the facility.

But as our “Trainer” friend explained …with 9000 members, they don’t have time for that sort of thing.

I understand that a business functions for profit. But being in business myself, I have learned that if you focus on helping others reach their goals – magically your business thrives.

I really don’t believe that’s any coincidence.

Take a look at Joe Defranco’s gym in New Jersey. It was born out of a small warehouse – but after years of hard work, it was named one of the 10 best gyms in the United States.

That’s because Joe D. Has a passion for helping his athletes reach their goals. He genuinely cares.

It’s too bad that when you care … it stands out like a sore thumb. A lot of times people don’t even want to get off their asses unless it’s going to somehow benefit them. And when they do ….it’s the exception not the norm.

My advice:

If you really want to succeed – care about people. Not for what they can do for you …or how you can profit from them. But genuinely care about them.

I wholeheartedly believe that this is the missing formula for success.

All the best in 2011,

Joe

Zuzana