I just watched the interview with Tim Dettman - “How HIT Helps Reverse Chronic Illnesses Like Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and Back Pain”. https://youtu.be/c161_xlE7xA?si=dwOVrpWDVLacs_94 It was as absolutely inspiring. One of the areas discussed was that we, as fitness/HIT enthusiasts/professionals are not likely to be representative of the general population (“genpop”). So, while we intimately understand the vast health benefits of strength training, to the degree that it actually saves lives, genpop does not necessarily, and we cannot assume they do. I run a HIT personal training business out of a gym in one of Australia’s gym franchises (Jetts). What I have found is that the health benefits of strength training is not at the top of the list of genpop’s needs. What is right at the top, almost exclusively, is “weight loss”. As Tim encouraged in the interview, asking why, many will say “to get healthier”, but after a few more why questions, the real desire is usually to "look better” (for a wide variety of personal reasons). With that in mind, I have begun considering a “client journey” style of positioning what I do as a HIT personal trainer. The first stage is to address the immediate need and focus on helping a client “look better” (which is most likely to be a combination of exercise and diet). As they approach their desired appearance over time, clients become more open to a second stage of the journey which is all about focusing on permanent exercise discipline to support their health for the rest of their lives. At that stage, the power of HIT’s efficiency and effectiveness really has an impact. HIT is the only form of exercise I would used throughout the journey, its just that the focus subtly shifts over time, from “looking better” to “improving and maintaining health” to “a way of life”. For me, HIT is all about saving lives, just like Tim Dettman, Doug McGuff and others advocate. But, to get the opportunity to save lives, I may have to start by improving appearances first…