Leading by example: Mel B led some group exercise classes during last year’s International Fitness Week and hopes to do the same this year
What are the plans for this year’s International Fitness Week? It’ll be along the same lines as before – free day passes to go into any Fitness First club in the world, with introductions to the gym plus tips, advice and free sessions on topics such as nutrition. It’s very informative and makes you feel very comfortable, and it’s free for the whole week (see information box, p54). I also led some group exercise
sessions last year, in the UK and abroad, which I hope we’ll do again this year.
What can health clubs do generally to get more people involved? Once you get into exercise, you want to do more and more. But you have to help people get over the initial barrier. You can’t just dip people’s toe in the water – you have to help them dive in. That’s exactly what happened to me. I’d put on lots of weight and I was
march 2011 © cybertrek 2011
You can’t just dip people’s toe in the water – you have to help them dive in
intimidated – especially in LA, where everyone’s so body-conscious. Luckily I found a gym where people weren’t too shy to talk to you, and where they took the time to take me round and explain everything. That’s important because people need a bit of encouragement, someone to say: “Go on – you can feel good about yourself.”
What would you say to people who are unsure about going to a gym? Go in and find a friendly face. The biggest hurdle is just getting there. Once you’ve taken that first step, even if you're just walking on the treadmill watching TV, you’re doing something and, bit by bit, your body starts to feel better.
It has to be something you can sustain
rather than making yourself hurt once and never going again. And you have to make it do-able within your working schedule rather than setting unrealistic targets of going every day.
What drives you? I like to do a bit of everything: fashion, fi tness, music… My passions are what drive me. I don't do anything that I’m not 100 per cent into myself. I wouldn’t do a fi tness video game if I didn’t genuinely like to work out. The whole relationship with Fitness First has stemmed from that – it’s grown organically as they’ve realised it really is something I enjoy.
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 57
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