COMMUNITY
Lonely? You’re not the only one.
Let’s change that
At a recent focus group session we held in Melbourne, I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with a range of fitness
professionals discussing their professional ups and downs. As the robust conversation flowed, it was invigorating to
witness the passions raised when hot topics and shared experiences resonated. One of the things that really struck
me on that day – and also when we conducted a similar session in Sydney a few months ago – was the general
consensus that working in fitness could be a lonely experience, at least when it comes to connecting with likeminded
individuals in similar roles.
In a fast-paced, face-to-face industry such as ours, this idea of it being lonely may at first seem strange. How can
it be lonely when we work closely with other people, both one-to-one and in groups? On reflection, however, I can see
where the comments came from. As a PT you are most likely working either as a contractor or sole trader, potentially
even competing with others in your fitness centre for business. As a group fitness instructor (and on this I can speak
from personal experience) you arrive, teach your class and leave, with some small interactions with members and
sometimes little-to-no contact with other members of staff. I’ve certainly worked in a few gyms in my time where I
never even got to meet my manager, let alone anyone else!
As I have mentioned in previous issues of this
magazine, we are working on further initiatives to help
you, our members, connect with each other to really
foster that sense of community within the fitness
industry. The results from the focus groups have only
strengthened our resolve in this matter, and I hope to
share some ideas on providing further opportunities for
you to connect with your industry peers by the time I
write my next column.
In the meantime, I encourage you to attend
any of our face-to-face training courses listed on
the page opposite. These courses provide great
opportunities to not only learn in person from our top
class presenters, but to also build relationships with
likeminded industry peers.
Wishing you all the best,
Ryan Hogan, CEO
[email protected]
36 | NETWORK SPRING 2016