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When you think of fitness coaching, you probably picture an in-person training session with a personal trainer. These certified professionals instruct clients through weight lifting, cardio exercises and stretching techniques.
But a fitness coach goes further by connecting with clients on emotional and mental levels. Even small cues, such as the words they use to motivate or encourage, can make a big difference for certain clients.
Motivation
Fitness coaches are responsible for mentoring clients through their journey to a healthier lifestyle. They work closely with clients to develop training programs, conduct physical fitness training sessions and learn medical histories for risk assessment. In addition, they provide nutritional guidance to help clients achieve their goals.
A person’s level of motivation can play a significant role in their ability to reach fitness goals. Having the right motivation can help individuals stay consistent with their workouts, push through obstacles and persist in challenging situations.
According to Self Determination Theory (SDT), there are several types of motivation. Introjected and external regulations occupy the less self-determined end of the motivation continuum, while intrinsic motivation results in positive motivational consequences. For example, if someone exercises for the reward of a healthy body, they’re likely intrinsically motivated to continue their exercise routine. Conversely, if they’re exercising to meet their employer’s expectations or to avoid punishment, they’re more likely to be amotivated to continue their exercise routine.
Nutrition
Fitness coaches often have nutrition-related qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree in health or exercise science. Many also seek certification to work as personal trainers, which requires specialized knowledge in fitness techniques and anatomy.
A fitness coach can teach a student how to build and maintain a healthy diet, helping them improve their overall health by addressing their eating habits and educating them on the importance of maintaining a balance between exercise and nutrition. This type of training is important to a client’s success and well-being, as it can help them prevent diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
Keep your students motivated by encouraging them to stay on track and be honest when they are slacking. For example, if a student is struggling to meet their goals, it’s your job to remind them that quitting won’t help them achieve what they want and that failure will have negative consequences for their life.
Techniques
During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders and indoor gathering restrictions left many gyms, fitness studios and other venues closed for months. During this time, many clients worked with fitness coaches on online training sessions. These arrangements allow trainers to build workout programs for clients that they can execute from their homes or other places where they’re comfortable working out, and coaches check in via calls and messages with the client.
For example, a personal trainer might instruct a client to perform the bench press using a certain number of reps and to push themselves to a maximum effort level during their set. They might also ask them to record their strength and technique so they can look back and compare it to future videos.
Fitness coaches with a strong online presence can make passive income by creating and selling their own self-guided training plans or other proprietary fitness content, such as an eBook on exercise motivation. They can then market this content across their social media and email lists to generate sales and engagement.
Assessment
Fitness assessments are a great way to measure your client’s physical condition and track their progress. These tests give a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses, which allows the trainer to curate a workout program that better meets their goals.
For example, if they have good stamina and endurance but lack upper body strength, the trainer will create a workout plan to improve their grip and arm muscles. Regular fitness assessments also serve as a motivator to keep clients on track with their fitness goals. Seeing that they’re improving can give them the push they need to keep going when they want to quit.
The type of specialty a fitness coach chooses to offer depends on their experience and expertise in the industry. Common specialties include strength training, pre and post-natal, recovery and competitive athletic training. Some fitness coaches also offer online coaching services. This allows them to reach a wider audience and provide personalized fitness programs.