On Shame and fitness
Shame: It’s everywhere in the fitness industry. A lot of people feel like they are already failing to meet the expectations coaches set for them.
I’m here to tell you: If your coach or training environment makes you feel like you’re already not enough, they have failed you, not the other way around.
There has always been dread and shame associated with the gym. I think because as coaches, trainers, and fitness institutions the industry has used shame and an artificial sense of urgency to market our services for so long.
Everything can be tied back to the false individualistic narrative that has been pushed on us by western culture. We are part of systems that determine our life far before it reaches the responsibility of the individual. Are gyms accessible to you via bus? How about grocery stores? Does your job pay you enough to find a membership?
Once you’re in the gym, this is compounded with the absurdly high level of white supremacy that fuels the fitness industry makes so many gyms inaccessible! If you don’t look like X (x being a white cis male or female, low body fat, etc), you’re lazy. Well, as I learned from Dr. Devon Price, laziness doesn’t exist. Laziness as a concept was used to vilify and oppress indigenous people and has since continued to be used to demonize people and cultures because they don’t prioritize productivity. It has been used against us to feel like our actions or lack thereof are a personal failing not simply a normal and acceptable response to our conditions.
It doesn’t have to feel this way.
My approach to coaching stems from the fundamental understanding that there isn’t a one size fits all program, squat stance, bench cue, or body type. Yes there are definitely optimal loads, volumes, and intensity levels; but we have to consider the person we’re training.
These are questions that I ask when I start working with a new lifter and what you should expect with working with any coach.
What are your goals in the short term? Long Term?
Are there any physical considerations you want me to know before starting a program for you? i.e past injuries, pain points, trauma etc
Are there any cognitive considerations you want me to know? i.e learning style, pain points, trauma etc
What are your access needs, either physical for in person training or digital for virtual training?
What is your schedule like? e.g how much time do you have to dedicate each week to training
We have to consider the material conditions that influence our lifestyles. I ask these questions of new clients so that they know right off the bat that I will adjust to their life and not the other way around (but, it will require a little bit of adjustment :D). I will always push the narrative that we are not lazy, we’re fine just as we are, and we’re going to have fun getting strong together.
If you have any advice on how to make coaching more accessible and inclusive I would love to hear your thoughts below!
Shout out to these people and organizations that have continued to provide helpful guidance on how to make movement spaces more accessible and shame free!
