Today I would like to take a moment and tell you about the women that train at BodySmith.
I’ll start with the younger female athletes that train each day. Most of them have been training at my gym since they were twelve or thirteen years old. Growing up together in the gym, they have become good friends, and some have also had the opportunity to be teammates over the years. These girls are tough; they push each other each and every day to become the best version of themselves. They hold each other accountable, celebrate their victories and support each other to overcome challenges time after time.
Over the years, as a personal trainer, I have tried to create a welcoming atmosphere for my athletes to train in, especially my female athletes and over time, I am proud to say the gym has become just that; a safe and non-judgemental space for training for every single person who enters. No one cares what designer clothing you are wearing or what brand name is on your shoes. There are no cameras set up taking butt shots, or filming outrageous exercises, our female athletes know that each day they come to the gym they will be seen as an athlete and not treated differently because of their gender. They know that each day, they will be greeted with a very cheerful hello, followed by, how was your day.
They also know that the male athletes at the gym will be very supportive and will always encourage them. They can train hard, sweat it out and not be judged by how they look or if their hair is out of place.
In this day and age, it is very important for young athletes to know that they have a place to go to train and not be intimidated and I am proud of the community at Bodysmith for creating just that. A space to be empowered and supported; judged for what your body can accomplish instead of how it looks in photos. This is especially important for female athletes who often face a higher level of this kind of scrutiny.
I had a mother say to me the other day, “my daughter loves your gym, it’s a safe place, thank you.” Sentiments like this mean so much to me because I have worked hard to provide that space and knowing that it has a positive effect on my athletes means the world.
I have tried to create a family type atmosphere and I think have achieved that, which leads me to the group of 40+ women that I have in the gym. Over the years, most have been the mothers of some of the young athletes at the gym and a few are women that were looking for a safe environment that they could train in and not feel like they are being hit on or stared at when working out.
These women wanted to find a gym that they could do better workouts at, and not just doing a training program that had them moving from one machine to another. They did not want to go on just the elliptical or the treadmill for thirty minutes, they wanted a comprehensive training program that would challenge them and allow them to get stronger and fit.
A lot of these women started off watching the younger athletes from the side line they wondered maybe they could do some of that type of training as well. So, one by one they took the plunge and have not looked back. I now have a group of 40+ women who train hard; they don’t worry about their make up, clothes or shoes, they love to sweat and lift heavy shit with awesome form, and even give some of our male athletes a run for their money.
The young athletes are always very supportive, male and female alike. They always have the time to say hi, are very supportive and always have a word of encouragement for the ladies. Over time, a wonderful thing has happened, these 40+ ladies have become a very important group at the gym.
This group of women has become a core part of the Bodysmith family. If the younger athletes have had a bad day or bad game, they always have words of encouragement and will always take the time to listen, and share positive words. The athletes are always thankful and very appreciative for the time these ladies like to lend an ear.
When these ladies are not at the gym, I am the boss, but when they are at the gym, they make me think I am not the boss LOL. I am very great full for the atmosphere that we have created at Bodysmith, I am happy that everyone feels it’s a safe place to train, but most of all, I am grateful for these ladies.
When a group of young athletes think it’s cool for forty plus women to be at the gym training hard, that’s when you know you have created something very special. Ladies thank you, much love and BIG hugs, stay strong.
I wouldn’t want to end this post without shouting out the young male athletes at the gym, past and present, for playing a huge role in making Bodysmith a safe and supportive environment to train in for everyone, much respect.