I just watched a terrific video by Josh Elsesser of Fitness Works in Glendale, Ariz., sponsored by dotFIT, where he presented his “Five Pillars of Fitness.” And guess what the first pillar was? Right! Nutrition! He began by saying that nutrition accounts for 80 percent of meeting one’s fitness goals.
When we work with members and clients, this is the statistic we often throw out. It’s huge, it’s powerful and it really catches your attention. Frequently, we follow that statement with the fact that no matter how often you come to the gym or how hard you work out, if you’re not fueling your body properly, you’re pretty much wasting your valuable time and energy.
Obviously, not too many people believe us.
So the next logical question from the member should be, “How should I be fueling my body?” If your club doesn’t have someone to answer that question correctly, what’s your next move?
What I am discovering is that not only do you have to provide the answers, but also you have to present it in the right way. As a nutrition and wellness consultant, I would like to be able to take every member by the hand and walk them through good nutrition practices. Even if that were possible somehow, not every one wants to have their hand held. So the next best thing is to educate as many people as possible in a group setting.
I recently began a weight management program at my home club, which meets weekly as a group for four weeks. The interest in this program is the highest I have experienced yet.
Here is why I think it is so: I believe the main reason is because it is about weight management, rather than a specific nutrition topic or about healthy eating.
Everybody in our weight-obsessed society wants to know how to lose weight. Take a walk through the “Diet Book” section of your local bookstore, and there are thousands of options. And people are willing to try any quick fix that seems doable . . . or not.
So we can offer the best information on nutrition to our members in a format with which they are most comfortable. As long as we are talking about how to lose weight and not “What’s wrong with the way I eat?” perhaps more people are willing to listen.
The other aspect of the weight management program that seems to really click is the group setting. I am certain that this is a reflection of something we already know for sure in the fitness industry. People love group exercise because it makes them feel connected to each other and engaged with the club. We cannot underestimate the power of the social element in getting participation for any reason, particularly nutrition.
Judith Samuels, M.A. is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and master personal trainer at Sport&Health Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She can be reached via e-mail at judi@judisamuels.com.
