As a Fitness Coach and Trainer of over 8 years, I am constantly working to evolve in my work, messaging, and how I show up for and with clients. As the years pass, my underlying message remains the same;

I am just so glad you are here!

I hope we create a connection in where you feel safe to explore your movement, power, and autonomy. So, as I sit here and reflect over my experiences as a life-long Athlete and Coach, I consider how we, as professionals, can do better (myself include). Provided below are 5 ways I believe Coaches and Trainers drive disconnect with clients, and how we can evolve:

1. Assuming all individuals come to us with the same history, abilities, and considerations.

2. Assuming all individuals come to us with the same wishes, wants, needs, and goals.

3. Assuming problematic narratives in effort to “motivate” fitness, health, movement or performance.

4. Assuming we as trainers know a client’s body and mind better than they do.

5. Providing feedback to clients that does not allow for mental and physical scaffolding (or self-motivated progressions).

What we can do:

1. As Coaches and Trainers, we are part of our clients support team. We cannot effectively support each individual if we do not understand (or try to understand) a client’s history, abilities, and considerations. Learning these aspects are the foundation for our work together.

2. Next, understanding what our client is looking for when they come to us is important. Just as there is no one-size-fits-all for our history, abilities, and considerations, there is no one-size-fits-all for our wishes, wants, needs, and goals.

3. Regarding motivation to complete goal-based plans with clients; the fitness and wellness industry unfortunately has a long history of utilizing problematic tactics and narratives such as shame and guilt (to name only a few) in efforts to create change. Not only are these tactics not backed by research on being effective motivation strategies, they generally have been proven to create much more long-term harm than positive outcomes.

4. Center the individual and their experiences. Allow space for individuals to feel and experience movement in their body and mind.

5. Start with foundational movements where clients move slowly to notice how their body feels. This also allows us as Coaches and Trainers to observe movement tendencies of our clients and observe their mindset when engaging in movement.

6. Guide clients in both their movement and mindset with mental and physical scaffolding. Think of how to help them answer the question, “what will I do next when I meet this milestone or goal?” when giving progressions and coaching cues.

7. Check-in often with clients regarding how they are feeling. Listen to the feedback their body is providing them and adapt goal-based plans based on feedback.

And of course, I would love to hear from you! What are some things that feel supportive when working with Fitness Coaches and Trainers?