The Path of The No

               Whether you are a trainer, an athlete, an enthusiastic class member, or a casual gym goer, there are things you are doing in your life to be well, be fit, and live a healthy joy filled life. As a trainer, anyone that walks through the doors at my facility is a blessing to see, and I am proud of each step they take in their fitness journey. Including that first step into the building. The thing I have to remember though, is that each of us is different, with exclusive needs, personal goals, and degrees of fitness that help us to either excel, or cause us to fail. When I spot someone on the bench, I ensure that I am ready for the drop, I am watching their arms, elbows, and shoulders, as well as the contraction of their chest. These points of focus are not only to inform myself and the person on the bench of where they could use work, they are focal points for failure. A wise and seasoned bodybuilder knows his limits and body, when I am spotting they will shake their head or audibly express the “no,” they aren’t getting that bar back up and it’s time for me to take over. However a new member to the resistance training world, or a seasoned veteran with an ego may not know or want to admit their “no point,” this is where my trained eyes and senses come into play, so that when they do drop that bar I am on it before it drops even a little.

               The ability to say no is important in many situations in the fitness world. Trainers must learn the ability to say no to the older lady trying out machines you know she isn’t ready for, the new lifter trying to warm up his deadlift with a starting weight of 225, the client with goals that are unreasonable, and the hardest one of all, telling yourself no when your work load is too heavy, or you are neglecting your own personal workouts. The important thing to do with this is to make sure you are not approaching the need for a “no” as an opportunity to be rude. You must learn, as I continue to, to be able to say “no” in a polite and kind way, do not dance around the subject, but don’t rub it in a client’s nose and put them down with your answer. Allow reflective listening and sound, researched, and friendly professional criticism be the driving force in those conversation, and as always remember your body language as to not be seen as aggressive or intimidating.

               As a veteran of the gym, knowing your body and muscles won’t cut it if you do not listen to them. When you know you need a spot, that the weight is too heavy, or that twinge in your knee is coming back it is definitely time to say “no.” Push your pride out of the way, your vet status, and allow your body to rest or that younger guy to help you out with the bar. Knowledge is key in the gym or on the trail, but ignoring that knowledge for one more mile, or the humbling of yourself in order to allow someone to help may be the biggest difference between injury, pain, and days to months out of the hobby you love, and continuing gains in strength and conditioning.

               Finally, as a beginner in this vast world of fitness, remember that there are a lot of options out there, and a lot of opinions, but remember to also do your research and take your advice from reputable sources. Just because a program, diet, weight, or general lifestyle works for one person, does not mean that you or your body will respond in the same way. Learn to say no to things that make you uncomfortable, don’t say yes to things that you feel you aren’t ready for. Make your life choices based on you, seek a trainer or a knowledgeable friend and run what you’ve found by them. Search the forums, the scientific findings, and magazines, and eventually through some reading, watching, and good old fashioned trial and error you will find what works for you in the gym, out of the gym, and in your personal journey through fitness.

               Remember yourself when exploring the answers you will choose today. Try something small, say no to that soda at lunch, or that afternoon snickers. Learn the steps you need to take, and anything that you have doubts on or an opposite opinions about, state those, say no when needed, know your limits, and be fit the way you want to be fit, not the way the world or anyone else says to be fit.

Until next time,

Matt