Brainstorming a business model - your input wanted!

[pizzicato66 1]

Hi Everyone! My niece (a personal trainer) and I (a fellow post-op bandster) have been pondering a few ideas for a business and I'd like your input! (and yes, I'm trusting you won't steal our idea)

We were wondering - if you had the option of joining a gym specifically for people who have significant weight to lose, would you be more likely to join?

I think one of the hardest things about getting active again (with or without WLS) is feeling like:

- people will stare

- the trainers don't understand how it feels to move when you are big (flexibility, fat in the way of folding your knees, belly, etc, just being heavy), etc.

- trainers don't understand the difference nutritionally if you have a band, GBS, etc. (and NO online diet planner gets it)

- trainers often have a bias against the obese, or think WLS is a "cop-out" (if they only knew how untrue THAT is!)

- it's hard to find good support after your first year out (unless you're in an active support group). I relocated this last year and had a terrible time finding the help I was getting back home!

So, the idea is that we'd either open a gym JUST for WLS or people over a certain BMI (and yes, you could stay when you're not any more, because you'd be a role model). We'd train the personal trainers etc. on all the details and help them get into the mode (still thinking about how to create a weighted "fat suit" for them to do workouts in, so they can feel it). We'd build relationships with the bariatric programs in town, mental health specialists and physical therapists, so there is a network of support (and have support meetings etc). We've also considered coming up with a training program to train personal trainers on how to work with our community. So, in general, a nice, helpful, safe place to work on your health!

From the web-searching I've done so far, I think we've found a huge gap in the industry. What do you think? Would this kind of thing interest you? Any other suggestions?

[luluc 6]

interesting concept.

i had to "educate my trainer" on WLS & the band - which he was more than open to. he had never had a WLS client - so he took it as a learning experience for himself, rather than insult me that i took the easy way out.

we "together" discussed nutrition & i let him know that while i valued his opinion - he knew i had a bariatric team that managed the scale & my health. i needed him to push / work me harder than i would myself and that's what i hired him for.

you can get the band, but it doesn't come w/directions to the gym....

i'm not sure though even before hitting goal i would go to an exclusive WLS surgery gym, just like i wouldn't attend an all female facility. is there a gap for qualified trainers for the obese absolutely, and that might be a better direction to go -rather than isolate...but that's just my opinion.

[pizzicato66 1]

Excellent tips! Thanks!

[pizzicato66 1]

Just putting a better title on the subject line. Looking forward to more ideas from you all!

[bambam31 168]

In line with lulu, I think a traditional gym which had trainers educated in WLS process would be the most ideal. That might pry a few more people to get active who otherwise wouldn't. The two biggest pitfalls I see for bandsters are 1) improper nutrition (frequently including too LITTLE food intake) 2) inadequate exertion. These lead to people throwing their hands up and declaring that the band just didn't work for them. When in fact, there is a huge market waiting to be capitalized upon for someone who can lead these people to results. A structured approach through a gym with a WLS educated trainer may be the only way for some people.

Good luck!

Brad

[willowcat 93]

I like my local Y--the people working out there come in ALL sizes. I think that's way cooler than having a lot of overweight people (mostly women would be my guess) all eye-balling each other to see who is or isn't losing weight--or "she's not working out hard enough, no wonder she's not losing weight" kind of thinking/chit-chat going on. Not to mention that bypass patients lose weight a lot faster. Sorry, but depending on the size of the gym, I could see it getting too much like junior highschool for me. That's my two cents worth. I wouldn't sign up--but that's just me. Good luck with whatever you end up doing, though! :thumbup:

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

From a practical point of view, by limiting your clientele to post-surgery WLS patients, you might be automatically putting yourself out of business for lack of enough business. Not every WLS patient is going to even want to go to a gym in the first place, and then you don't want "regular" clients? I think a regular gym that promoted the fact that it has personal trainers with background specific to WLS might be more successful because you wouldn't limit your population.

[kcmagu 3]

I could understand where some people might find the concept agreeable for them. In that case if there was such a place and it works for you - awesome - whatever gets you in the gym!!!

However, I agree with Luluc and BamBam - I personally would like to see more offerings/support for the bariatric members at regular gyms - and they might find that lucrative for their buisness. I also would not like to see any further isolation/segregation of the obese.

Let me be dramatic for a moment - For those that say wouldn't you rather not feel like everyone's staring at you, making comments, etc. - Think about the comments such as "Oh - you go to the 'fat' gym"