3 Types of Exercisers – Which one are you?
Posted on 26. Oct, 2009 by Keith Scott in Uncategorized
Over my career, I think I have come in contact with or have at least worked with about every kind of trainee or exerciser out there. People hit the gym for all different kinds of reasons.
Some go to lose a set amount of weight, others are trying to get big and strong, and some just want to feel better. There are many other types of gym goers out there too. However, I have found that most trainees can fit into one of three different groups. Which one are you?
Group One: Clock-Watchers
Clocker-watchers, as I like to call them put their time in each day, but never any extra time, and many times, cut their training down just to get out of the gym in time for something more “important.” I have found that these people always have something more important going on than their own fitness. Sure, many people have jobs and other commitments and need to get in and get out, but not all of these people are clock-watchers. Clock-watchers usually hate training or working out. They can’t stand any of it, except the part when they are walking out of the gym. I have and still do train a lot of clock watchers. Constantly looking at the clock on the wall or at their own watch, wondering just how much more they will have to endure that day. The cycle is the same each session. Basically, these people “show up” do the bare minimum and usually get the bare minimum out of their training.
Group Two: Social Butterflies
The social butterflies are the people that love to go to the gym, or love to work with a trainer, but their motivation usually has nothing to do with working out or fitness. Rather, they are there for the social experience. They love to talk, tell stories, ask questions, relay the latest gossip, text while they workout, talk on their phones in-between sets, etc…. anything but actually training goes on with this type of person. While they sometimes get their training session in, rarely is there any intensity, progression, or progress! However, they get to the gym almost everyday. In fact, these people are some of the most consistent people in the gym. These people are very tough to train though. I get paid to get results, and these people are usually not interested in results. They want to know everything about you, and tell you everything about themselves, all during their half and hour training session. Getting them moving or motivated is tough.
Group Three: Can’t get enough
The “can’t get enough” people are the rare creature that exists in all gyms, they are hard to find in big numbers, but they do indeed exist. You can usually find them alone, not talking, with their headsets on, sweating, with a look of focus and intensity on their face. They are always on the move, impatient people who hate to wait for equipment, hate to share equipment and really hate the social butterflies. Many times, you have to drag these people out of the gym. Training these people is fun, but can be tough as well. For one, they do not understand what rest is or why it is important. Trying to rest or slow them down is wasting time in their eyes and they hate it more than anything. Worse yet, is trying to get them to de-load or take time off, as all good training programs should. These people don’t want to hear. Either you train them or they will do it on their own. These people are addicted to working out and love everything about it. Cant get enough people sadly injure themselves more because they don’t understand the concept of proper progression, or recovery. They are usually the people that limp into their workouts, and walk out with no pain….endorphins are their pain medication each day.
While there are a lot more “groups” I could mention, these were the three that stuck out. Do you fit into one of these? Maybe you are a combination of them at times.
Do you have other groups that you have noticed during your training? If so, leave a comment and share, I would love to hear about the different types of people you have come in contact with over the years!
