How do you motivate others?

AmberJewelCR
AmberJewelCR Posts: 97
edited February 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I started a "fit club" for my area, I run 5 nights a week, and I have 25 people in the group. A few of the ladies go walking in the mornings together, and I get that, there's another lady that needs a later time than when I go. It makes me so mad that 25 people joined this group, and now, no one wants to participate in anything! I have a weekly weigh in thing, "homework" (workouts to do at home) that change every week and NO ONE is motivated to work out!

I want to say "Just joining this group won't make you fit!" ugh.

/rant.

How do you motivate people?!

Replies

  • MiloBloom83
    MiloBloom83 Posts: 2,724 Member
    I started a "fit club" for my area, I run 5 nights a week, and I have 25 people in the group. A few of the ladies go walking in the mornings together, and I get that, there's another lady that needs a later time than when I go. It makes me so mad that 25 people joined this group, and now, no one wants to participate in anything! I have a weekly weigh in thing, "homework" (workouts to do at home) that change every week and NO ONE is motivated to work out!

    I want to say "Just joining this group won't make you fit!" ugh.

    /rant.

    How do you motivate people?!

    Promise nude photos? Cash incentives? Cash incentives for nude photos?

    I'm horrible at motivation...
  • WakkoW
    WakkoW Posts: 567 Member
    Motivate people to get fit?

    If you can figure that out, you can make a lot of money.
  • kyleekay10
    kyleekay10 Posts: 1,812 Member
    Motivate people to get fit?

    If you can figure that out, you can make a lot of money.

    This, basically.

    You're just going to have to lead by example. If you know anyone who'd like to join who you know for sure will stay motivated, ask them to tag along. All you can really do is focus on you and the few who are actually active, and hope the rest will follow.
  • 0067808
    0067808 Posts: 119 Member
    how about organising some sort of 'sponsored slim' or a 'danceathon' or 'static bike marathon' where they raise money for a local good cause? Arrange a visit to the 'cause' - whether its a children's hospice, or whatever. Sometimes overweight people aren't really all that invested in themselves due to low self-esteem (they don't think they're worth it) but they'll do it if they reckon its helping someone else. Then once they realise working out and losing weight gives them a buzz, they'll start doing it for themselves.
  • babyblueskye
    babyblueskye Posts: 5
    Motivating other people is tough. Most of that has to come from within each person, they have to decide they're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their fitness goals. Personally, I was never a big fan of homework in school (like most kids) and sitting at home with a video or whatever isn't going to do it for me, so I work out with a personal trainer at my local YMCA plus I swim 5 days a week. I enjoy swimming, so that part is easy for me. I think your best bet is to talk to your members to see what kind of activities most of them enjoy and try to incorporate some of it in your workouts. If they enjoy it, they're more likely to do it. And maybe think about setting up a kind of fitness 'Olympics' event to have them compete against each other. Many people have a big competitive streak, so that could be a great source of motivation too. Hope this helps!
  • MelodyandBarbells
    MelodyandBarbells Posts: 7,724 Member
    ^^ yup, the homework thing stuck out to me, too. They're already motivated by you, and to workout with you. Why add boring homework that they have to do by themselves to the mix? It's as if my group fitness instructors suddenly told me I had to do a 30 minute treadmill run in order to attend class. I'd likely stop doing both the class and the homework and you'd wonder where my motivation went, too. Maybe ask them how the program is different than what you initially promised, OR their initial expectations, and if there are gaps, see what you can do to fill them. Can you make healthy snacks or even get not so healthy treats once in a while together? Sometimes people join these things not only to get healthy, but as a social outlet. You may have to dig deep and figure out how to be a bit of an entertainer, as well
  • AmberJewelCR
    AmberJewelCR Posts: 97
    Thank you all for the advice. I know it's like the old saying "You can lead a horse to water" it's SO frustrating.
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