Real-Life Decision Making
People come into your aerobics classes for different reasons and with different
expectations, making it difficult to accommodate everybody. The last thing
you want is to have members complaining, leading to dissatisfied customers
leaving your center. But at the same time, according to aerobics instructor
Carrie Markin, it is your duty to "safely instruct fitness participants."
Most people come just to maintain a healthy body, while others come in
with outrageous expectations, hoping to change their physical figures within
days. However, you know that some of these expectations are either impossible
to reach, or simply unhealthy.
One day, as you finish your aerobics class, you notice one of your new
students walking up to you. She joined your class a few weeks ago. Recently,
you've noticed there were a few days that she dropped in twice on the
same day.
You were a bit concerned she might be overexerting herself, but she seemed
fine after the aerobic workouts.
Now, with sweat dripping down her forehead, she gasps for air as she stands
next to you and hands over her physical assessment card. All new members are
required to receive a physical assessment in order to monitor the progression
of their health. She is trying to catch her breath while in conversation with
you. You read her assessment and see that everything about her health is normal.
She begins to speak to you in a desperate tone. She tells you her graduation
photos are next week, and she is desperately trying to lose five pounds in
order to look good in those photos.
She's currently on a diet, has been working out every day for the
last week and wants your advice on how she can lose more weight. She tells
you she wants to tone her thighs, buff her arms and lose two inches around
the waist area. You're shocked. You don't think she can accomplish
this within a week, and even if she could, it would definitely be unhealthy.
What advice should you give her? If you say her goal is unattainable, it's
possible she'll be extremely dissatisfied and leave your fitness center.
On the other hand, you could advise her to do all she has planned, and
encourage her to keep up with her dieting and exercising regimen. That should
keep her happy and perhaps more likely to stay with your center.
What will you do?