I hate going to the gym!

I get a lot of puzzled looks when people ask me what I do for a living. It is usually followed up by "Which gym do you work in?" or "What kind of training do you do?". I need to find a better way to explain what I do besides, "Oh… I'm a personal trainer."

The truth is that I have never worked in a gym. In fact, I cannot stand going to the gym. I have a great gym membership at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, but only use it for the great indoor and outdoor pool and maybe an occasional spinning class. Although my gym is more of a community center where everyone knows each other, I cringe every time I think about walking into a Lifetime or 24-hour Fitness. It's filled with people trying to sell you supplements or personal training. I find lots of wandering eyes either finding ways to strike up a conversation or looks of judgment. (Sorry, I don't really worry about matching in an outfit I'm about to sweat in.) Their employees often attempt to point out what you're doing wrong in order to sell their services instead of encouraging what you're already doing. 

The best part of my job is the personal interaction I get from going into my client's homes. Their "gyms" have very little to very advanced equipment. I am able to understand how I can help them best since as I walk in the door, I'm in their world, and not mine. Each time I walk through their door, it is a completely new experience and sometimes very challenging. After training for almost ten years in this environment, I have learned so much about adjusting to schedules, stress levels, and physical limitations. 

I've made a career out of this pliable lifestyle and I don't intend on changing anytime soon. I think the best place to improve your fitness doesn't happen in a gym. It is done so outdoors! I hate going to the gym!