Friday, March 8, 2013

CommUNITY


I have been going to Juno since July of 2012. A relatively short time, but I just moved to California in May 2012, so pretty much since I have lived here. I started off as a client in boot camp with Juliet, Jennifer, and Willow, and slowly worked my way into training under the guidance and wings of Willow and Juliet to help me learn the ways of teaching boot camp  Since I was 19, I have belonged to several different gyms. I would say since the age of 15, but my high school gym was used for hiding in the corner in those uncomfortable gym shorts or the locker room. I have belonged to neighborhood gyms that cost $25 a month with very few amenities. I belonged to my college gym, but I pretty much went there to check out the hot tattooed guys that frequented the weight room. I have belonged to swanky gyms in Chicago that cost more than my rent. Okay not that expensive, but at the time it felt like it. I have belonged to climbing gyms, Pilate and yoga studios, boxing gyms, and to my home gym (aka my area rug and DVD player). Over the years, I have hired running coaches, triathlon coaches, and personal trainers to help me reach my goals. All of them remain a faint memory with the exception of one personal trainer in Chicago who has guided me towards my goal of becoming a CPT.

I recently went to Juno to let Juliet kick my a$$ into shape and stayed to watch the kettlebell class. I stood back and watched the students. I swear I can watch people swing kettlebells for hours. It’s so beautiful. I watched Juliet and John instruct each student, watch each student, correct each student, and laugh with each student. They know each student by their first name, and they share life stories with one another throughout class. The students respect one another’s abilities (and let me tell you, they are all awesome at lifting bells) and they coach one another through difficult sets. And something hit me like a ton of bricks as I was standing there watching, observing, and silently taking it all in. It hit me why Juno is so different from any other gym I have ever been to or belonged to.

There are so many gyms these days that simply care about how many clients they can get through their doorways. It doesn’t matter if they can give personal attention or learn your name because sadly, that is not their goal. They use daily deals to simply bring in money, but sadly do not have the capacity to get to know their clientele. Juno is different. The trainers are different. The clients are different. Ever since I stepped foot in Juno, I have always felt a sense of belonging, like I have another family, and I know that the entire staff truly does care for each and every person that walks through the door. As a newly certified personal trainer, I learned that night, even more so than ever, that it never is about how many clients I can see or help in one day, but it’s about truly understanding and caring about the people who trust to put their fitness and health in my hands. Being a good and effective personal trainer means truly caring about the goals of my clients and for them as a person. If I could achieve this, I would be just like every single trainer at Juno. Every single one of them. 

-Julie