Keeping your fitness in check

Prestone Luseka, 23, is a gym instructor at Muscle, Health and Fitness Limited. He spoke to GARDY CHACHA

What does your job entail?

I keep people’s health in check. It’s in a way stemming out an illness before it creeps in. I do this by streamlining someone’s weight within the right Body Mass Index (BMI) and ensuring his/her general physical well being.

How did you end up in the field?

I loved exercising from when I was young. During break times at school, I would sprint, lift stones, run around — generally activities that dissipate energy. A veteran in this field saw my capabilities and introduced me to the trade. I became an apprentice and here I am after gaining practical knowledge. I think it’s a talent.

What importance does your field hold to humanity?

Our field is very essential. Among our clients are those sent by doctors so that we can put them through a regimen to get rid of a medical problem. Aside from that, people of all descriptions come to the gym to seek ways of getting to the right weight. Others just want to maintain their health status.

Did you have any other dreams while growing up?

I actually thought I would be a lawyer but finding fees for college was not easy. After high school, I did menial jobs; still hoping the lawyer dream would come my way. However, when the world of fitness came calling, I reluctantly took it up. I can honestly say I’ve settled in.

What’s the first thing you do when a client comes to the gym?

Evaluation and analysis — you need to know their health history. You will also need to check their BMI ratio and some other physical measurements of the body.

If I want to be an instructor, what would you advice me to do?

Learn the trade. There aren’t many schools that teach students of fitness within East Africa per se. This field, however, requires more practical knowledge than theory. You learn better under the auspices of a veteran instructor. To learn well, you have to be patient and follow instructions.

What gives you satisfaction in your field of work?

When I see a client’s body responding to the workouts, it makes me feel like I am truly doing something. The job pays my bills, too and to me that’s enough satisfaction.

What’s the downside to your work?

We deal with some high profile individuals. Some want to be treated in special ways and if you don’t bend backwards to their whims then they can even report you to your superiors. Some come to the gym straight from work and if they had a bad day, you end up receiving the vile as you attend to them. But we know how to handle such clients.

What’s the dress code and etiquette of a gym instructor?

We dress in loose and sporty clothing. Etiquette demands you be friendly and warm to clients. For instance, if a client is obese, you tell them in a professional way so that they don’t feel offended. Communication skills matter a lot.

What’s the misconception you get from clients about your job?

Many think that we don’t go to school to become instructors. Many also think that people who come to the gym only seek to lose weight. We actually service those who also want to put on weight or build muscle.

How would you deal with a female client hitting on you because of your physique?

For you to continue doing your job, I believe a certain level of professionalism has to be maintained. True, those cases are there and they do happen but it’s proper if you avoid such traps for your own good — that is if you want to continue working. I tell my female clients that our relationship is professional.

What are your plans regarding your field going into the future?

I want to pursue higher knowledge in gym instruction. I am looking forward to enrolling for an S-programme, which is a professional programme for instructors. When I am done, I can comfortably work anywhere in the world as a recognised professional. By the time I hit 50 years, I want to tell myself I have done something with my life.

The best thing about being a gym instructor would be…

You also keep fit and you can do freelance jobs on the side. You, therefore, earn more.

What principle do you live by?

If you are satisfied with what you do for a living, nothing else matters. God is surely on your side. Keep going.