Fitness, Exercise, Yoga and Pilates seem to be on people’s minds these days. The finer weather is approaching and we are all eager to get in shape. I am often asked, “Is there a connection between Fitness and Etiquette?”

There is and, to provide more details, it is my pleasure to introduce the author of this guest post, Yanick MacDougall

Yanick is a motivated, supportive and dynamic Professional Fitness Trainer. She exudes enthusiasm in all her classes. I highly recommend that you check out her website for interesting, up-to-date information about getting into shape and her services.

With kind regards,

Elizabeth

We’ve all seen those posters on the gym wall stating ‘Put Weights Away’, or ‘Wipe Equipment after Use’ and more disturbingly, ‘No Spitting in the Water Fountain’.  All these rules apply to gym etiquette, but did you know that Etiquette and Fitness combine in a much bigger way than that?

When I ask myself ‘what is etiquette?’ my automatic answer is ‘respect yourself and those around you.’ During fitness, we are given ample opportunity to exercise both forms of respect.  How so?  Engaging in physical activity is a way to treat your body with the respect it deserves. When you take the time to exercise you feel more energized, you perceive yourself as healthier and stronger and this contentment with yourself transfers into happiness towards others.

Here are 5 ways to respect your self by embracing fitness;

1. Take the time for yourself to do something you enjoy! You wouldn’t begrudge a friend or family member 60 min of time spent on themselves, so treat yourself to the same respect you give others.
2. Have faith in yourself and your strength. Do you tell your kids that they can achieve anything they set their minds to?  Do you believe it, when you say it?  Then remember that even if a work-out is hard, especially if it’s hard, you can do it!
3. Take the time to do it right. Do you only have 45 mins between dropping of your daughter at gymnastics and getting home in time to make dinner for your husband/wife and kids?  Resist the temptation to skimp on your warm-up and skip your stretch.  Your muscles won’t work as efficiently if they are cold, and you will ache for days if you skip your stretch.
4. Do not use the time spent in front of the mirror checking out what you consider to be your flaws. Instead, congratulate yourself for taking the steps towards a more balanced, healthy lifestyle.
5. Share your enthusiasm for fitness with others. Yes, there is a tactful way to encourage friends to join you as you get into shape.  Explain how much you enjoy your program or class, or how having a friend accompany you, will help motivate you. Remind your family or friends how exercising together is a great way to spend time together with out partaking in the usual dinner, drinks or sedentary movie nights.

As a Personal Trainer, and the owner of SHAPE Fitness and Training, I see people falling into the pitfalls of not giving themselves time to work at becoming a stronger person or judging themselves more severely than they would ever judge another.

We need to shake off those negative feelings, embrace a healthier and active lifestyle, and remember that proper etiquette begins with respecting yourself, so that you can respect others!

Yanick MacDougall, Surrey, BC Canada

SHAPE Fitness and Training, mobile personal/ group training. Pre/postnatal fitness specialist. Mom to 2 girls ages 3 and 1, and wife to hubby, Lyle.