So… what DO you want?

There is a fine line between what we want to do and what we have to do. I don’t WANT to do the laundry but I have to because I need clean clothes for work. I don’t WANT to pay the bills but I have to because I like having electricity. I don’t WANT to do burpees but I have to because that’s how I get healthier and stronger.

Look, I’m infamous for being complacent about certain things and not really asking for what I want. If you’ve ever gone back and forth with your significant other about what to have for dinner, you know what I’m talking about.  At the gym I love to be motivated by my coach. I also like to be told when I’m doing a movement wrong. I like when they coach me through a tough movement so they can tell me what I need to correct or work on. It’s hard to do that when you have a class of 7 or 8 people and you’re only one coach but, luckily, our coaches are awesome and they get the job done.

One of my favorite things is when a coach sees me struggling to finish those last few reps and they come over to remind me that I can do it, that even though it hurts, I can finish this. It makes me feel special, to be honest. For a few minutes it means someone is focusing on me and I can use that extra push to get through something tough.  I’ve been coached at fitness by some amazing coaches. Unfortunately, I’ve been coached by some not so great ones, too.

One of the things I’ve learned in this year of being a fitness member is to ask for help. If I need a coach to watch me do a back squat to check my technique, I ask. If I need them to come up with a modification for me for a movement, I ask. If I don’t like to be talked to during a WOD, I say so. Our coaches can’t read my mind. I can’t stand at my bar and wish a coach over to me to check my power clean. It doesn’t work that way. If I don’t feel comfortable with a coach or how the class went, I speak up. Why? Because I’m paying for the membership and this is MY hour for ME. Besides, if the coach or the gym manager don’t know there’s an issue, how are they going to fix it? On the other hand, if I felt good about the coach or the class I speak that, too. Feedback of ANY kind is important and we must be willing to give it. No. Matter. What.

If you’re not getting what you want from your gym experience you need to speak up. What do you want from 13 Stripes? What do you REALLY want. Dig deep. Be honest. Speak up. Even if your voice shakes.

See you at the box!!!!

#fromcouchtofitness #mystandardsmyway #feedback #speakupspeakout #itsyourhour #haveityourway