I’ll Be Your Friend Till the End

June 22 2007 by admin.

There is a great article in the IDEA Fitness Journal on social networks, and the research that’s been done showing the health benefits that a meaningful social circle offers, as well as the increased risk of disease and death that comes from being too solitary. The solutions suggested and the details from studios actively implementing networking seem to jive with the suggestions I found in IDEA articles on Compliance Programming, or teaching students to be more self-reliant and responsible for their workouts and lifestyles.
The CP articles were really interesting- they detailed how an instructor could increase her clientele by teaching them to do more on their own, and having shorter meetings to check in, especially phone meetings. The client, then, is more responsible for themselves, instead of relying on the instructor to make them do anything. By encouraging clients to network among themselves, they can form smaller groups that meet outside of class for other activities, like cardio or shopping or just to gab. They can then look to each other for motivation and support, instead of their trainer, and go to class ready to challenge themselves and each other, instead of waiting until the trainer challenges them. This mindset of personal responsibility is supported by the social groups, and results in benefits for everyone- themselves, other group members, and instructors. I wonder how I could make encouraging socializing like this part of the fabric of my studio.

On a tastier note, I’m drinking a Tea Posy right now-www.teaposy.com. They are these astonishing white tea balls that bloom into shapes made with other flowers- loops and arcs and stars, all held together with string. I’m having Jasmine and Lily, and it quite the sensory experience!

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