Have you ever been shopping for gym kit?

So, remember I told you that it is my course this week.

You know, the one that I was pretty apprehensive about

I had many limiting factors.

Well I thought I had, but it was just a story I had made up myself

Now, the course is fast approaching I am worrying about what to wear!

Can you believe it?

What to wear!!!

Do I go casual?

Do I go smart casual?

What will everyone else be wearing?

Do I wear a suit?

Will I be judged by what I wear?

You see, I am only ever seem to be seen in gym clothes, our branded uniform.

Even when our members see me suited and booted

They don't even recognise me

Here's something else.

Almost EVERY gym, personal trainer advertise their service using fit models

Air brushed

Photo shopped

No sweat

Clear complexion

Hardly wearing nothing - might as well be doing a commercial for bay watch!

I have to ask why?

If you wanted to put someone really OFF your services then this is the sure way to do it.

Why?

Because potential members see only this.

Intimidation.

Fear that they are going to be judged because they don't look like the person in the advert.

Fear that they are not going to achieve the same kind of level of results - fear of failure almost

Embarrassment to walk in to the gym

No wonder our members feel comfortable with us

These are the people we want to help the most

It is the people we do help the most

Because not only do we understand these people

But these very same people

Don't own these type of clothes

They don't EVEN step in to a sports shop because of the very same fears I listed above

Fear of rejection

Fear that when asking for help they will be judged

Think about it what are you supposed to do?

Take a picture of the gym advert into the shop and ask one of the staff "oh, I want this gym outfit please, though I am a few sizes bigger?

One of the key messages I say to people when I first meet them is this.

Come in whatever you feel comfortable in

It reminds me of something my coach always used to say to me, well, he said a few things that have stuck with me

It's not about what colour football boots you wear that's important its when you cross those 4 white lines and you give a performance of your life that counts

No one ever remembers the clothes you wear - remember my odd colour shoe incident

They remember the desire that you show to change yourself

The same goes in our gym, its not about what you wear

We've had members rock up in their partner's t shirts

Odd socks

Clothing for religious reasons

[members that come to us like this get the BEST results]

Not one time have I ever seen anyone wear a bay watch outfit?

Now, the game changer comes

When a member realises there own potential

Their belief and confidence starts to come back

They take it upon themselves to change what they wear

This just shows the results we get with our members

Not just clothes size

But actual physical and mental confidence to now WANT to DRESS like that person in the advert picture!

That's real world!

That's what we do!

Joe 'never judge a book by its cover' Hanney

Ps. I've decided to take a leaf out of our members book and rock up in whatever i feel comfortable in and mesmerise the fellow attendees and mentors with my public speaking performances