Over the years, I have been able to whittle it down, from all the reasons and excuses people have given me, to just 3 that come up time and time again, and I’m here to put you mind at rest. These are just fears, and although real, and they are absolutely not something to get bothered by:
Number 1 – I’m not fit enough
I hear this virtually every day. Questions such as “Do you think I’ll be able to cope?” or statements along the lines of “I don’t think I’ll be able to keep up”, abound. Rest assured, it is absolutely the job of your trainer or instructor to make sure you can cope, that you can keep up. You merely want to progress, that is why you have reached out, and your current level of fitness is just that, your current level. There is no judgement, and it is in all our interests that you are able to progress. So, if you are thinking of taking up outdoor exercise, however fit (or unfit) you consider yourself, you are good to g and will be welcomed
Number 2 – I’ll be on show, people will look at me
I really do get this one, you think that by moving around in the open air, people (the general public) will look at you and think something. You may feel self-conscious, that you are on show. What I can tell you is this, the only comments I have ever had from people after a session are about how much fun they looked, and asking about how to join up! Once out there in the park, we become role models, doing something that many aspire to. Who knows, it may just be you who inspires others to get out and get fit as well. And if people aren’t that interested, chances ae they won’t even notice, and they’ll certainly have forgotten in a matter of seconds of looking in another direction or starting their net conversation. Either way you are onto a winner, and being an inspiration to others is pretty cool, eh!
Number 3 – I don’t want to be shouted out
When it comes to outdoor exercise, many people think of “military” bootcamps from days gone by, with a hardened Army PT instructor shouting at recruits to “Get down and give me 50 burpees – NOW!!”, making people feel small and inadequate, pushing them to breaking point. Ut out in the Park we are there for Fitness, Fun and Friendship. This becomes our hobby, and for that we’ve got to love doing it, and loud-mouthed aggression has no place in this environment. Yes, it can be tough, but we are here to be challenged, to get fitter, so tough happens, but it happens through encouragement, teamwork and support – more often than not from your fellows just as much as from your instructor.