What motivated me to start exercising?
I was an active enough kid, I grew up playing outside with my friends, adventures with my brother out in the countryside and all of that. But I grew up a shy boy with no self-confidence, so sports really didn’t fit well with me. So I kind of grew up spending more time inside watching films, playing video games. And that was fun, but as I got up nearer middle-age, I decided that I didn’t want the current aches and pains and weight gain be a continuous slope of feeling worse and worse until I died! That thought there pushed me to make a change.
Stepping into a gym for the first time….
While I didn’t start exercising seriously until a few years ago, I remember my first experience going into a gym and how difficult that was. Being a shy kid with low self-esteem, the thought of going into a gym with loads of people who knew a lot more about everything ‘manly’ than I did kept me from wanting to go into one.
But sometimes an opportunity opens up, and for me, it was when one of the local gyms had a pop-up stand at a local shopping centre. While I’m usually ignored by sales-people, For some reason he approached me and spoke with me as a normal person (not in a ‘laddish’ approach many guys might try on when selling to another guy). His professional demeanor and approach appealed to me, and so right there and then we arranged a time for me to come in and get an induction with him. I did, and he was at the reception and available on time, and took me around the gym, and I remember him feeling like a normal, down to earth guy and that the guys in the gym weren’t sitting around being judgmental – most were just doing their own thing and those that were talking to each other were talking about jobs and domestic life rather than any kind of many ‘competitions’. It was a lot more welcoming than I expected and the trainer took the time over the first few weeks to write me up a programme, help me work through it, and check-in on me while I was learning it.
I didn’t stay on more than a couple of months as I moved out of the country and didn’t sign-up anywhere else.
However, that feeling of being welcomed and having a personal approach is what helped me feel comfortable returning to a gym after a 15 year absence, and I want others to feel something similar, and not be intimidated to go into a gym.
What motivates me now and what keeps me going back?
When I started, I was focussed on how I look, and I think that’s what a lot of people think about when starting exercise or changing what they eat/drink. But at some point, I realised that my priorities are less on body transformation and more on health. I like how I feel by being active and eating more nutritionally balanced. I exercise now so I can continue to enjoy my video games and meals out!
It ain’t easy to change!
Boy do I know that feeling. And again, I knew it was going to be hard to make a change. I had a lot of support in doing it, though. My partner helped me in reducing the high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks and drinks we had in the house. And knowing how easy it would be to up an excuse to skip the gym before or after work, my boss allowed me to change my work hours so that I could come in early and then take time during the day to go to the gym – it was a lot easier to motivate myself to go when home and relaxation wasn’t on the other side of the gym. You might not have this same type of support, but through discussion, I’m sure we can find something that will work for you.
What made me decide to become a personal trainer?
I have two reasons.
Through my fitness journey, I’ve met a lot of trainers and gym instructors, and they’ve all helped me towards my goals, but through it all, I felt like there was no one I could relate to. They tend to be very outgoing and sporty people who can’t talk about games outside of what they played as a teen, or tend to be straight and relate to people as their ‘mates’. They talk about Strictly or other popular TV programmes when I’m watching Star Trek and Drag-Race. They’re also a lot younger than me, or if they are older, they’ve been working out for decades. So I thought that I’m surely not alone, and there must be others that are in my situation and looking for someone to help them achieve a healthier lifestyle, who maybe don’t feel comfortable around ‘traditional’ fitness people.
I know how much my change has helped me feel better about myself, and I want to help others to find a way to feel better mentally and physically.
The smaller reason is that I wanted to go beyond following programmes that other people created, and wanted to know what goes into a fitness programme and how I could take control of all aspects of my fitness. As a geek, I think I’m able to relate to the folk that need things explained in a way that relates to them.
Qualifications
Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor and level 3 Personal Trainer Qualifications gained through The Energywise Academy. While that provides me with plenty of knowledge to support clients, I continue to learn through various CPD opportunities.
You can do it!
Try to ignore those voices telling you you can’t do it. Trying is a step closer to winning than doing nothing
Those little goals are what lead to achieving a big goal. Be aware of the end journey, but focus on taking the next step.
1-Up Fitness (Matt Sanders PT) 