I stumbled upon an article this morning about an Oklahoma City personal trainer named Steve Clausen who has found his way into the media spotlight by offering his services free of charge to help a woman, Sandra Ruiz achieve her weight loss
goals.
Now on the surface that may seem somewhat normal, but the reason the media is interested and how Steve found his new client is because Sandra appeared on a local television program upset that the gym she was a member of asked to not use the cardio equipment because she is too heavy for it.
Miss Ruiz is currently weighing in at 380lbs or about 170kg’s and
cardio equipment
does have weight capacity limits in place in order for machines to work both at optimal efficiency and of course for the safety of the user and probably those around them.
I’m on the fence with this one; the article goes on to say that a staff member of her original gym, the ‘bad’ gym approached Miss Ruiz while she was on a
stationary bike
and suggested she walk around their aerobics room instead.
Now since I don’t know what the load capacity is of the bike she was on is, if it was less that 170kg, the trainer did the right thing in suggesting a different course of action wouldn't you agree?
Regardless, this blog is about business opportunities and our hero personal trainer Steve Clausen has seen one and taken action.
"I think it's very disheartening that someone would make an effort to come to a fitness centre where they think they're coming for help, and they get turned away," Clausen said. "That's basically what made me call."
She wasn’t ‘turned away’ Steve, but nice spin.
The gym's owner said they did it for her safety and the weight limit of the equipment and after the television station talked with them, they waived her cancellation fee so she could get out of their contract.
Steve then goes on to express the injustice Miss Ruiz has experienced and for the next six months, Clausen will be working one-on-one with Ruiz three times a week with full use of the gym that he operates from at no charge.
Clausen said Ruiz didn't put on the weight overnight, so it won't come off overnight, but he's going to help her lose two pounds a week through training and a specialized nutritional plan, and that will add up over time.
I’m not a negative person and Steve probably genuinely cares about Miss Ruiz’s wellbeing and I wish them all the best, but either way, he will generate a LOT of clients and revenue due to this exposure.
Keep your eyes open people, there are opportunities like this everywhere and if you can’t find them make your own and let the media know, they love this stuff!
The full article with picture and video by
Amanda Taylor of NEWS 9.
Additional Reading: Promote Your Fitness Business At Every Opportunity
