FEBRUARY 2014 LETTERS C WRITE TO REPLY
FEBRUARY 2014
Why do operators still insist on inductions?
For many gym customers who regularly work away from their home club, the rigid operational procedures enforced by many gym operators can be frustrating. On more than a dozen occasions
I’ve tried to access gym facilities of leisure centres, to be told I can only use the gym if I have an induction. In these times of trying to
No quick fi xes: People fi rst need to understand what is making them obese
Categorising obesity as a disease won’t address causes
I was interested to read your recent article on classifying obesity as a disease (see HCM NovDec 13, p32). In today’s world, we have a quick fix
for everything. If we’re hungry, there’s fast food. If we’re ill or depressed, there’s a pill. We never recover naturally or try to find a reason why we’re feeling as we are, and doing what we do. We never deal with the actual problem. If we categorise obesity as a disease,
is that not just another wrong message sent out to the nation? We wouldn’t be addressing what causes people to become overweight. Are medical professionals unwilling or unable to deal with the cause of the problem, instead hoping for a new pill to treat obesity? Meanwhile there are hundreds
of fitness professionals who are passionate about people, and about changing real people’s lives: getting them off medication, promoting fat loss and getting them eating better.
I believe obese people should be
referred to small businesses run by caring coaches. With obesity an issue particularly among lower social classes, why not create an affordable weekly drop-in programme focusing on exercise/nutrition education? I agree that fitness qualifications are
not regulated properly, but surely the investment required to do so would be significantly lower than the millions needed to develop a new wonder-drug. The problem is, promoting healthy eating and exercise will never make money; drugs and medication will. But as far as I’m aware as a trainer,
any change in life requires small, step- by-step actions. By creating a pill, we set people up for failure because they will never understand what made them obese in the first place.
Vera Duman Health and fitness coach
10 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
Could a ‘national fi tness card’ replace multiple inductions?
February 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
maximise income and encourage participation, I can’t understand this mindset. The main argument seems to relate to insurance and/or health and safety. However, I’ve consulted with Joe Ryan from RD Health & Safety who says: “It’s an operator’s duty to provide a safe environment for its customers, and this is done through providing quality staff, good equipment in working order, and appropriate instructional signage.” This doesn’t rule out non- members using a gym. Surely a quick demonstration by the potential user, and/or a membership card shown for their home gym – as well as signing a disclaimer – would get around any potential liability issues. Operators need to prevent abuse,
so the arrangement could be limited to users living a minimum distance away, with the maximum number of visits a year restricted. But a solution is needed. Could a ‘national fitness card’ be introduced? It could be a ukactive-led initiative with the card issued by the customer’s home club, even charging an annual fee for such a card. Alternatively, can operators allow staff to use common sense?
Julia Rawlings Business development expert
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