Does anybody besides us hear the message that exercise alone doesn’t work? I know that’s not what club decision makers want to shout, but to all the members and clients who are leaving the clubs dissatisfied with their results, can we offer them a solution?
How often are trainers blamed for not helping their clients get the bodies they expected? This is a problem that can easily be solved by offering nutrition education, whether through a nutritionist or skilled trainers.
I have heard from many trainers that we should have every new member experience at least one nutrition session as part of their membership. Since most clubs offer some sort of introductory package, it should be simple to incorporate either a group or individual class.
Why is this a difficult “sell” to clubs and members? I wish there were a simple answer and would love to hear ideas from anyone. My first guess is that we haven’t evolved to accepting nutrition as part of the process. Our mindset is still back in the day when a health club was a “gym” — a place to use heavy equipment and sweat in baggy shorts.
Bodybuilders know that if they don’t eat right, they won’t get the desired results. So instead of sharing these “secrets” with our clients, we have them relying on the enormous industry of diet books to tell them how to lose weight.
Let’s change this now! Find SOMEONE who can meet with new members and educate them on the basics of simple exercise nutrition. I know folks hear it all the time but do they really BELIEVE that starting the day with a good breakfast will actually make a difference?
What is a good breakfast? It is not generally a bowl of cereal with milk. It COULD be a bowl of oatmeal with a side of fruit and vegetables with eggs. By simply explaining how a balanced breakfast of protein, carbs and healthy fat can make a difference in one’s metabolism, we may be able to open the door to more conversations about healthy eating, nutrient timing and body fueling.
The one theme I hear all the time about nutrition is the fear that the person will be told they’ll have to give up all the foods they like. That is the same fear that keeps many people from learning more. If exposure to proper nutrition information were part of every new member package, it would go a long way towards eliminating the fear of change.
I’m sure that some clubs do this already. Does yours? Let me know!
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.
