I really enjoy writing a weekly blog about my experience inside a gym. But, on certain occasions, I enjoy it more than others. However, those occasions aren’t when I have anything negative to build on, but when I don’t have anything to talk about.
My day begins pretty typical, with some cereal and bananas and as much coffee as I can stomach. However, my exercise routine changes daily — both in the time I begin and the area of my body I hit. But, what really makes my workout great is when I walk into a club, am greeted by a smile and then break up my routine through social interaction with friends and acquaintances in the gym.
Today was one of those perfect days. I got a great parking spot near the front door and was greeted about three steps into the club by the woman at the front desk. For some reason, a big smile always kicks off my workout really well. I know we always discuss the importance of the front desk, but as a gym consumer as well as Editor of CS, I truly value that smile. She even went out of her way to scan my card, read my name on the computer and say, “Have a great workout Tyler.”
She may not remember my name, but it’s really great to have that personal connection, even if it’s a little fake. That smile carries with me all the way through my run. After the run, I bump into a friend and we stop and talk for a minute. Throughout the rest of my workout routine, I bump into other people to stop and talk. Somehow, each conversation just helps me get stronger through my workout. Not only does it give me adequate time to rest after a strenuous set, but it also helps take my mind off the workout a little.
After the workout I went to hit the shower. The soap dispenser was filled and I was able to get in, get out, without any problems. As I was walking through the gym on my way out, everyone was working out hard and stopping to talk to one another. It started to look like the old school gyms where friends worked out together. Walking past the front desk and out the door I got another ‘have a great day’ from the woman at the front desk. It put another smile on my face that has carried with me through writing this blog.
Now, if every gym and every day were like this experience, that would be ideal and I would without hesitation refer friend after friend. Each day I try to experience the gym as a typical consumer would. If such small things in the gym affect me, just imagine how important it is for all your other members.
Tyler Montgomery is the Editor of Club Solutions Magazine. Contact him at tyler@clubsolutionsmagazine.com
