resistance
training
Sarah Owen looks
at the importance of
MAKING YOUR
strength training, and
asks if operators are
doing enough to
GYM STRONG
encourage their
members to
incorporate it into
their workouts
s an industry, we’re well aware of the health benefits “The perception of strength training is gradually shifting,
A
of resistance training – but are our clients? with instructors and PTs positioning it for wellness and
Although members are given a strength training life tasks rather than just a bodybuilding goal,” says Sarah
programme as part of their induction, the common Morelli, education and development manager for Star Trac,
sight of busy CV area versus quiet strength area demonstrates who believes that cable-based training has helped alter the
the reality of clients’ exercise habits. public’s perception of strength training and proved invaluable
Stefan Gibberd, manager at the Eric Liddell Sports Centre in in increasing member usage of the strength training area.
London, states: “Despite giving complete training programmes “By educating members in topics such as stability, mobility
to our members, people naturally gravitate towards CV and exercise for function, users will not only become more
workouts and we’ve had to limit use of each piece of cardio comfortable with strength workouts, but also drive demand for
equipment to just 15 minutes at peak times.” equipment to meet their needs.”
Personal trainer Toby Giles agrees: “My clients are often wary
of using weights or resistance machines. There seems to be a public perception
preconception about strength training, both in terms of the effect Dave Clark, head of strength and conditioning at the Scottish
it might have on their body and how tricky it will be to do. Once Institute of Sport, agrees: “A combination of strength training
they overcome that hesitation and see the results, however, and cardiovascular work is needed to maintain good health,
strength work quickly becomes part of their normal routine.” body shape and weight. By raising the body’s basal metabolic
Encouraging clients to make strength training a regular part rate, strength training makes the heart work harder, functional
of their workout can reap massive retention benefi ts for gym capacity is improved, and clients will look and feel better.”
managers and decrease waiting times for CV stations at peak However, Clark believes many people fall into the trap of
periods by encouraging an even fl ow of people across the doing too many reps at low weights and thus become frustrated
gym fl oor and, perhaps even more importantly, producing the at their lack of progress. “The biggest mistake people make is
physical benefi ts members need to stay motivated. working with inappropriate loads, most commonly too light,”
he says. “Changes to muscle function are a product of time
under tension and, to make change, people should do fewer
reps but at a higher load. In this way, they prevent bulking out.
Clients need to know they must stick with this programme.
Their weight might not change, but their measurements should
– the waist for men and the hips for women. The benefi ts will
last for longer and will greatly improve their general health.”
If the benefi ts are so obvious, why does cardio appear to be
more popular than strength training? And what is the industry
doing to help educate and change public perception?
Clark believes the way people exercise is a historical
thing. He explains: “As a relatively young industry, we’re still
largely guided by the trend set in the 70s, which was centred
around research by the Cooper Institute on the benefi ts
of cardiovascular exercise. This dictated the popularity of
cardio-based exercise in the fi eld of sports science. Although
most instructors are aware of the physical benefi ts of strength
training, it’s still often viewed as an add-on to cardio work.”
“It sounds obvious, but a confi dent, knowledgeable fi tness
team will go along way towards encouraging members to use the
equipment,” adds Jon Johnston, MD of Matrix Fitness Systems.
Think again Cable-based kit, such as Star Trac’s HumanSport
(left), is changing people’s perceptions of strength training
46 Read Health Club Management online august 2009 © cybertrek 2009
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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