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Body Image Ideal Internalisation? When you sit down with a Personal Trainer, it is not the first thing that comes to mind. But this is exactly the subject Dan Hancock, The Mental Health PT, wants to educate the fitness industry about.
For those that are not already familiar with the term, what is Body Image Ideal Internalisation? It is the extent to which a person "buys into" socially defined ideals of attractiveness. And then engaging in behaviours designed to produce an approximation of these ideals.
As a society, we are constantly bombarded with the "ideal" through social media. The ideal body, ideal lifestyle, ideal family, etc. As rational beings, we understand that some of these images are in fact photoshopped. And the results of those who have worked hard and have been successful are not instantaneous. However, the anxiety and frustration caused by these images may cause people to stop trying to reach their goals.
It is important to remember that everyone’s goals and journey are personal. It cannot be gauged by a before and after photo of someone they have never met. There are many fitness goals besides weight loss, and all efforts should be celebrated, no matter how new to exercise you are or how frequently you train
In the end, it comes down to whether you exercise for your health or aesthetic purposes. Dan Hancock is promoting the ideal that training should be targeted at becoming the happiest, most successful, confident, and energetic self-assured person you can be. By determining what your driving force is and the reasons behind it.
By doing so, you can develop consistency and avoid failing due to gym fatigue (yes, it’s a thing) or guilt from avoiding the gym. Participating in fitness programmes only for aesthetic reasons, according to studies, can result in a lower quality of life. Feeling bad or guilty about missing a session is associated to poor exercise behaviour.
Getting Started
Dan Hancock opened his gym just three months before the first lockdown. He went from working dawn to dusk to being at an absolute standstill. And it turns out that was when his clients needed him the most.
There was an outcry of requests for help during a period of overwhelming isolation and uncertainty. This demand brought to Dan’s attention something he already knew; physical and mental health are connected and should be discussed rather than in terms of cause and effect.
We asked Dan what got him started on this journey and the truth was that The Mental Health PT was born out of frustration. The frustration of seeing the main source of marketing as before and after transformation photos. This was the main metric of progress with no focus on how the client was feeling emotionally and mentally. According to studies, looking at other people’s body images just causes greater self-objectification.
This is reflected in only 13% of the UK population exercising regularly (European Commission (2018). Sport and Physical Activity. Special Eurobarometer Report 472.). Dan wants to take the intimidation away that people build up in their minds. Although gyms are seen as scary places, it is self-doubt that creates barriers towards exercise.
Post-COVID, within his own facility Dan welcomed new clients through a simple onboarding process; they meet the team, get a tour and break down barriers of entry before they even set foot on the gym floor. By doing this, clients come regularly and consistently, hitting goals, and gaining confidence where they otherwise would have run away.
The gym that Dan has built is open and welcoming to everyone, we were delighted to hear that his favourite piece of kit is the Origin Elite Storage Rig. Which has served as a focal point within the space.
Addressing Barriers
When considering the difficulties people face when starting a fitness journey, Dan iterated that they simply are not aware of the fundamental reasons for training. Their why is what will keep them going; but how can trainers figure out what their client’s why is?
Most people go to a Personal Trainer and say they want to "lose fat" or "tone up" without any further explanation. The Personal Trainer must then delve deeper into their clients' motives. To not only allow them to enjoy exercising but also to get what they need throughout their sessions.
Their sessions could be for pure aesthetic reasons, or a recent health scare. Some have low confidence in the gym and need a partner to work with them and build them up. If they are not truthful with themselves and their trainers about the internal struggles, then will they ever be happy with the results?
Training is not the hard part of exercise, understanding and motivation is. By identifying your true driver, you are more likely to succeed and develop healthy habits and the drive for consistency over time. Through this, exercisers can develop a balanced relationship with exercise to positively affect their mental and physical health.
Facing Criticism
Dan has faced several critics inside and out of the fitness industry for his drive to unify fitness to support positive mental health. There are some within the mental health industry who believe that only professional counsellors should be tackling the subject.
However, more of us than ever are utilising PT sessions as our own form of therapy. Is now the time for mental health and the fitness industry to come together to tackle this key issue?
The purpose is to provide Personal Trainers with resources to help them recognise the symptoms that a client needs to open up and talk to someone, as well as support them throughout treatment.
A growing number of mental health professionals are enrolling in the Award in Mental Health & Exercise Coaching course, recognising the link between fitness and well-being. Early detection is critical in many businesses; however, who should have these tools and when will they be available to all?
The MHEC Programme
Dan’s main offering is The MHEC Programme. Described as a guarantee to improve through a happier, healthier, and more confident self, using exercise as a tool.
While the initial part of the course lasts 90 days, Dan works with people over the course of a year. This is not a quick fix, but a course that will help you figure out what you really want to accomplish and how to get there.
The programme has been so successful that he is now training others to follow in his footsteps. In the last year, over twenty courses have been delivered and over 200 PTs in the UK have joined the Award in MHEC journey. All with the same goal, to assist their clients to identify the primary driver to a happier, healthier self.
And it will not stop there! Dan Hancock is championing for his certified course that combines mental health and exercise to become industry standard. Allowing all Personal Trainers the tools to recognise and support clients who are struggling with their own mental health challenges.
The stigma associated with discussing mental health issues has faded in recent years, and people who require assistance are encouraged to do so. Education is the most important part of this process.
Our mental health is not a sign of fragility. Talking about the challenges you face should be a source of strength as you take the steps to overcome them. Whether that be through exercise or some other form of support.
What's Next
During May, we are encouraging our clients and partners to take a step towards improved mental health and wellbeing through our initiative #strikethebalance.
Strike the balance is not about the big dramatic gesture or making unattainable targets for yourself. It is about making one small change that is sustainable and will improve your wellness in a small way so that your next step does not seem so daunting.
Let us know how what you will be doing to make a small change towards a more balanced lifestyle. Tag us on Instagram with the tag #strikethebalance.
