taboos surrounding incontinence remain . I believe that events such as ours play an important role in helping to raise public awareness and empower both women and men to continue exercising while protecting their pelvic floor . The confidence boost that comes with knowing how to train without constantly worrying about rushing to the toilet mid-workout is remarkable .
The plan
Organising the event was fairly simple , thanks in large part to the wonderfully supportive attitude of the team at Willoughby Leisure Centre . Management immediately grabbed hold of my proposal and ran with it . With the valuable assistance of the facility manager , I was able to link up with a local physiotherapist , who is also a women ’ s pelvic floor specialist , to provide clinical advice to participants on the day of the event .
After finalising the date and itinerary , newsletters went out to all members , and marketing material was immediately printed up for distribution outside the centre .
The event
On the day of the event I conducted six 30-minute practical sessions on the gym floor for small groups of four to five people . The sessions were designed to demonstrate how to exercise safely without compromising a weak pelvic floor . Participants learnt to substitute narrow stance squats for sumo squats ; to swap standing shoulder presses or bicep curls for seated versions ; to perform seated kickbacks or lying overhead extensions instead of triceps pull downs ; and to replace crunches with planks or suitable fitball moves .
I also compiled handouts of exercise tips and a list of safe alternative exercises for anyone suffering from a weak pelvic floor . The sessions were fully booked out for the afternoon .
After each 30-minute gym session , participants were eager to talk to the physiotherapist about pelvic floor health and the need to have the pelvic floor muscles tested at her clinical rooms .
All up , 30 people attended the sessions , leaving the facility armed with practical and helpful information . Many went on to enquire about a gym membership .
Thirty may not sound that many , but every person we can educate about exercising more safely is a win , for both them and for us , the fitness professionals that can assist them in taking their next steps . Our aim was primarily to deliver a community event that was informative , helpful , and ultimately empowered people to be more proactive about their health and wellbeing .
The business benefit
In addition to the community service the event provided , it also benefited the facility and my own PT operation . The new leads boosted my PT business by about 20 %, and also generated new memberships for the centre . As a result , we will be repeating the event next year .
Another important aspect was the valuable professional connection I was able to establish with the local physiotherapist : we are now referring clients to each other , which has increased business for us both .
The success of the day highlighted just what a valuable tool community events can be for the fitness industry . Of course , they don ’ t need to be pelvic floor-related : any event that provides real value to participants will also work to boost your profile and consequently your client base . Such events not only increase business , but also empower more members of the public to take control of their health and fitness goals . Experience has taught me that when a client feels they ‘ own ’ their fitness goals , they are more likely to retain my services as their trainer – and that ’ s a win-win scenario .
Fiona Compston is a personal trainer with over 15 years ’ industry experience . Based in Willoughby , NSW , she specialises in women ’ s fitness and delivers strength training classes to seniors through the NSW Health Department ’ s Healthy Lifestyle program .
Get the know-how on pelvic floor fitness
Network has a range of CEC / CPD-accredited pelvic floor health courses . If you ’ re looking to increase your know-how in this area , click on the courses below to find out more :
• Positive Practice for the Pelvic Floor ( created with the Continence Foundation of Australia )
• Proactive Programming for the Pelvic Floor ( created with the Continence Foundation of Australia )
• 100 Steps to Plank part 1 by Dianne Edmonds
• 100 Steps to Plank part 2 by Dianne Edmonds
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ONLINE COURSE
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