The power of training your brain at the gym?

A personal trainer or counsellor sometimes it’s a fine line.

“I make sure we create a safe place for women to come together and workout”

I recently had the pleasure of delivering our Best Way to Glow session to LActive based in Annan and during the session, Lesley Ann shared “I want to make sure we create a safe place for women to come together and work out”. 

It was clear from this amazing group of women and from the atmosphere in the session Lesley- Ann has certainly achieved this. 

This got me reflecting on the amazing role personal trainers play in supporting not only our bodies but our mind too. 

For me working out has become a huge part of my mental health and menopause tool kit, it now gives me space to pause all the thoughts of the day and utilise the feel-good hormones that begin to circulate through the session and long after I have finished. It has helped with many of the symptoms of menopause from feelings of anxiety to brain fog, energy levels and focus in both my professional and personal life. 

I’m not saying every session is euphoric and there are certainly days I don’t feel like going but I never come away feeling like I wish I hadn’t bothered. 

I am passionate about the benefits of working with a personal trainer or in a group training environment or community that positively recognises and supports your mental well-being just as much as supporting you to hit your physical personal bests. 

Not everyone wants or needs to seek out therapy for mental health support, but many feel they need a little mental boost or reset. Personal training can have such a positive effect on your mental health from developing your confidence, offering positive feedback, increasing your resilience and challenging your negative thoughts. 

I am very lucky to be able to both train and offer well-being support at BC Fitness, whose approach is to consider holistically the whole person. The community at BC checks in with each other, offers encouragement and support when needed and sometimes a gentle push. Ben and the team champion and challenge women to be their very best everyday. 

I know in the past I have not always felt the same sense of mental health relief when entering a gym or training. Or been given the information and understanding of how my menopause may affect my training week by week. 

In a recent survey, 50% of women with experience of exercising in a fitness or leisure centre in the past three years worried about being judged.

The results also showed 13% of respondents worried about the risk or threat of sexual harassment, intimidation or embarrassment. 

For women, it can feel like so many barriers to beginning a fitness journey and feeling comfortable engaging in what can feel like an intimidating environment. But if we can there are huge gains to be had both physically and mentally. 

So, if you feel apprehensive about seeking the right personal trainer or gym environment for you here are my reflections on what to look out for when seeking support. 

Communication

What is their initial check-in like do they ask questions about your mental well-being or menstrual stage ie. Menopause, the impact of your cycle etc., not just your physical goals weight-based goals.  

Online communication 

Do they share awareness or how they support or consider mental health or women's health-specific needs and training. 

Supporting the first-time nerves

Have they given you practical advice before you attend for the first time, so you know what to expect in order to reduce potential anxiety? Have they shared who will meet you and what to expect?

Keep the connections going as you get settled in. 

Almost half of the women and girls surveyed said that having someone to show them how to do exercises, activities, and use equipment would make them want to keep doing physical activity. They said that while they may have been given tips and advice when they first started coming to the program, sometimes their self-esteem dropped and their needs shifted over time, and they would have appreciated the extra support. 

Ask if is this available and how can you access ongoing guidance. 

“Mean girl” vibes are nipped in the bud. 

One thing that is a huge turn-off for women is not being made to feel welcome or “part of the group” by other members of the gym. Does the gym or trainer champion an environment where every member is encouraged to actively create a welcoming environment for new clients? 

Do your bit - create the environment you want to see.

So, as women let's take that first step and if you are already a member of a gym community make sure you welcome and champion the next woman who walks through that door. 

Huge thank you to Lesley-Ann @ LActive and Ben and the team @ BC Fitness and all the gyms and personal trainers who are striving to create these inclusive spaces and champion women.