It’s winter in New Zealand. Auckland temperatures are mild but it’s a lot harder getting out of a warm bed at 5am. And after two months in my new job the honeymoon period is over. Settling in was easy; the morning clients are so friendly and the first ones each day are suprisingly wide-awake and ready for their Vibration Training work-out at 6.30am on cold, wet mornings. One brings me egg sandwiches or chocolate meusli bars for breakfast twice a week. Others tell me what they have happening at home or work but mostly they just want to get into their session as their time is limited.
Somedays I drift back to sleep when my first alarm rings and wake with a jolt 5 minutes later when the alarm on my cellphone sounds loudly. I’m fortunate to be living very cose to the Vibra-Train studio where I work so mornings are not rushed. Some days I eat breakfast before I leave, other days I arrive at work early, make coffee, cereal and yougurt and relax for 5 minutes; then a quick clean and tidy of the studio, checking the control units, placing the mats near the machines if they were left out the previous night, set the music volume, open the blinds, unlock the door, take a deep breath of cool clear winter air, and the first customers arrive.
I truely wondered how I would cope with early morning starts as I really enjoy the still of nighttime and like to read or use my computer and talk to friends in Michigan and Washington, U.S.A. late at night, NZ time. I don’t sleep long hours during week nights so I’ve easily changed my times around, still enjoying the evenings but giving up my late night tête à tête with friends.
A big Thank You my “regulars” who make my mornings so enjoyable. As each day starts an excitment rises in me as I anticipate clients arrival and wonder if I’ll get any “newbies” that day. I enjoy newcomers and the opportunity to instruct them and with some to also enthuse them with the passion I have for this industry.
With winter’s bleakness customers comment that the studio is quiet at times but, of course, they might have just missed a “full house”. On a rainy, cold day the studio is often buzzing with people but if not there’s articles to write, update my blog, and online discussions about vibration training. There’s little time left to brush up my skills, re-read position notes so that I am always consistant in Instruction, and catch up with the daily newspaper.
After almost two months sole-charge in the mornings I’ve noticed some “regulars” taking shortcuts with their program; not being as definite in checking their poses, getting out of position and not correcting, or jumping off the platform immediately the machine stops instead of waiting 10-20 seconds to allow leg muscle recovery. Excuses include, “I’m in a hurry today”, “traffic was heavy in the rain”, “it doesn’t matter, does it?” (while looking toward heaven and hoping for God to advocate). These “regulars” are customers who know the program so well they are allowed to use the machines without one-on-one instruction but they know I am always watching from a distance. When I started at Vibra-train Lloyd (the boss) initiated an all-out checking of all customers work-outs so that any small “out-of-position” problems were corrected and everyone got the very best from their training. I suspect customers think I will have “slacked off” by now but, “bad and good news for them”, there’s no chance of that. I expect customers to work through the program in perfect positions so that they continue to benefit so I’m correcting all deficiencies.
I’ve had almost no “bad days”. Having a head cold and cough made one week harder and on just one day I was feeling a bit “down” after being corrected by the boss. We all have those “days” and I know correcting me is important so that I become the best Instructor and customers get the best instruction. Funnily though I’ve been given lots of advice from customers on how to cope. Lloyd has reputation for being a hard trainer, using jovial insults to get the best from people (both customers and staff) and some have commented on this. I just smile, especially as I see the difference that seemingly “hard” instruction has. These people are getting excellent results.
