I'm a Trainer and This is How I Create A Safe Space for People to Workout

This month is a celebration of women and all of the extraordinary contributions we have made to society. From the soft life lady to boss babe, we are beautifully diverse in all shades, backgrounds, and all walks of life. As a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, I've had the honor of working with some amazing women, and one of the things that come up is the need and desire to have a safe space to work out.

When we work out, especially with a trainer, we experience some of our most vulnerable moments. Our relationship with our bodies is at the forefront when trying to push through that last rep, our ability to do something new or something that we used to be able to do and now struggle with. For many of us, myself included, it is the physical manifestation of what is going on in our lives in real time.

With something so simple and yet so exposed, having a space to do that without judgment, with encouragement, and, dare I say, joy is really hard to find. And let's be honest, the social media model, the grunting meathead, and the shaking-my-head trainers don't always make it easy to feel comfortable entering the room.

As a wellness professional, I work to create an environment that holds space for others to be their most authentic self, to have the courage to face their challenges, and to celebrate their wins, especially the small ones. Here are a few things I like to do to create a safe space for people to work out:

Modifications are not failures. 

The number one question I get as a trainer is, "what if I can't do that exercise?" My answer is always the same "There is more than one way to work a muscle. We'll just modify!" Modifications can be our best friends when it comes to a new exercise or working with a new or old injury. They are a great way to test your progress and safely work your way up to the full movement. Modifications do not mean you don't still feel the burn.

Learning More about Clients 

Everybody has a story, and everybody has a why. Now I'm not trying to be in all of someone's business, but clients are real people with real lives. Sometimes someone showing up is the best they can do that day, and creating a space of trust helps me as a trainer know when to push and when to back down. People come in with their own goals and their own reasons, and my purpose is to assist them on that journey with no judgment.

Let Authenticity Thrive 

I encourage my clients to be their most authentic selves. My favorite saying is you don't have to like me in the room as long as you love me in the lobby. For me, this playful saying means if a person wants to let out a yelp, cry a few tears, sing at the top of their lungs, give me "the glaring eyes," or just grin through it, it's all good as long as respect is shown on both ends. Working out is an opportunity for many of us to escape the daily hustle and take the mask off as we work on ourselves.

What does a safe space in a gym or studio look like to you? For my trainers out there, how do you create a safe space for people to feel comfortable and thrive?

Let us know in the comments below!