Over my years as a fitness professional, I have come to realise one thing.....there is no 'one size fits all' in the fitness field. The principles and the laws are the same but every person can't be trained the same way. There are just too many different goals, preferences, personality types, body types, etc.
I have also come to realise that peoples preferences change.
For eg. If we are training children and watch them as they grow we notice a progression. When they are much younger, they like running around, doing the animal walks and crawls, hanging off things, jumping. As they start to grow the variety of what they do starts to get more focused. They start to head off into sports most of the time. By the time they are reaching high school and college they are looking at training into athletics or already establishing hobbies. At that point they would focus more on skills needed for the sport rather than animal crawls and hanging off trees. If they are bar athletes thats fine and they might still continue hanging off things but otherwise some things are being dropped off and certain skills are being focused on for their interests are just what they want to do.
Not only are their activities changing, their eating habits are changing. Their lifestyle is changing.
The same way it is with every individual who comes up to a trainer or a fitness expert. These are also things the fitness trainer must realise. Just because the trainer wanted 6 pack abs and did 2500 crunches per day (though that is not the way to get them), doesn't mean that all the peole who come to him/her should do that.
Here are a few rules according to me that a trainer/coach should keep in mind while training.
1) Every person is different and unique - This is the primary information you have to keep in mind. Only then can you coach effectively. If you have 20 people and all 20 people are doing exactly the same thing or rather being forced to do the same thing without understanding what they need at that time and moment you are not a PERSONAL trainer.
2)Stick to basics. - Coming back to basics is always a good bet. You can repeat it as many times as you want with different rep/ set schemes, training system patterns, etc. on exercises. With nutrition, things don't have to be complicated. Just follow basics.
3) Variety - Once the appropriate system has been found, just add a little bit of variety every now and then. This gives a break from the regular training pattern and forces the body to adapt. e.g. - Squats - Back squats, front squats, sumo squats, hack squats, pistol squats, etc.....
4) Motivate - Learn how to motivate your clients. Find out what makes them tick. A motivational strong point for one might not be the same for another. For example - One client might just need a reminder of their goal and deadline but another would need the trainer to actually go out there and help them finish off a set with them encouraging them.
5) Cue them: Give them points on how to correct their movement. Eg: If someone if lifting a weight, you can tell them, 'Lift as fast as possible, hold for a second at the top of the contraction and lower slowly.'
6) Remember people change: What might have worked in the first month in terms of motivation might not work in the thrird month. Most of the time as people get stronger and show positive results there is a change in their attitude and psycology.
These 6 points will definitely help you relate to your clients better. It also builds the platform to where the client and you are understanding each other better where the client looks up to you as the professional and you understand the ways to help the client reach their goals.
I have also come to realise that peoples preferences change.
For eg. If we are training children and watch them as they grow we notice a progression. When they are much younger, they like running around, doing the animal walks and crawls, hanging off things, jumping. As they start to grow the variety of what they do starts to get more focused. They start to head off into sports most of the time. By the time they are reaching high school and college they are looking at training into athletics or already establishing hobbies. At that point they would focus more on skills needed for the sport rather than animal crawls and hanging off trees. If they are bar athletes thats fine and they might still continue hanging off things but otherwise some things are being dropped off and certain skills are being focused on for their interests are just what they want to do.
Not only are their activities changing, their eating habits are changing. Their lifestyle is changing.
The same way it is with every individual who comes up to a trainer or a fitness expert. These are also things the fitness trainer must realise. Just because the trainer wanted 6 pack abs and did 2500 crunches per day (though that is not the way to get them), doesn't mean that all the peole who come to him/her should do that.
Here are a few rules according to me that a trainer/coach should keep in mind while training.
1) Every person is different and unique - This is the primary information you have to keep in mind. Only then can you coach effectively. If you have 20 people and all 20 people are doing exactly the same thing or rather being forced to do the same thing without understanding what they need at that time and moment you are not a PERSONAL trainer.
DO NOT DO THIS!!
2)Stick to basics. - Coming back to basics is always a good bet. You can repeat it as many times as you want with different rep/ set schemes, training system patterns, etc. on exercises. With nutrition, things don't have to be complicated. Just follow basics.
3) Variety - Once the appropriate system has been found, just add a little bit of variety every now and then. This gives a break from the regular training pattern and forces the body to adapt. e.g. - Squats - Back squats, front squats, sumo squats, hack squats, pistol squats, etc.....
4) Motivate - Learn how to motivate your clients. Find out what makes them tick. A motivational strong point for one might not be the same for another. For example - One client might just need a reminder of their goal and deadline but another would need the trainer to actually go out there and help them finish off a set with them encouraging them.
5) Cue them: Give them points on how to correct their movement. Eg: If someone if lifting a weight, you can tell them, 'Lift as fast as possible, hold for a second at the top of the contraction and lower slowly.'
6) Remember people change: What might have worked in the first month in terms of motivation might not work in the thrird month. Most of the time as people get stronger and show positive results there is a change in their attitude and psycology.
These 6 points will definitely help you relate to your clients better. It also builds the platform to where the client and you are understanding each other better where the client looks up to you as the professional and you understand the ways to help the client reach their goals.
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