| COACHING IN GENERAL | | | | We no longer have the luxury of leaving physical |
| The coaching process facilitates the exploration of | | | | activity to the athlete or the laborer. Society is |
| needs, motivations, desires, skills and thought | | | | becoming more and more sedentary. The generic |
| processes to assist the individual in making real, | | | | goals of "losing weight" or "getting fit" are losing |
| lasting change. | | | | ground without either intervention or collaboration |
| In the past the term "coaching" often referred to | | | | with a mentor or guide. The key is accountability. |
| performance training for remedial purposes. | | | | The Personal Trainer is of the intervention model. |
| Today coaching is embraced by both the high | | | | I train very few people personally anymore. It can |
| achiever and those individuals who feel stuck and | | | | be very effective when the personalities are |
| want to grow beyond their current limitations and | | | | matched well and goals are clear and reasonable. |
| reach their objectives within a short-time frame. | | | | It is an authoritarian model though and generally |
| As there seems to be no end to the paths, | | | | does not bode well with my natural, more |
| methods and protocols to personal achievement, | | | | collaborative teaching style. |
| coaching provides a dedicated and trained | | | | As a LF Coach, I help bring out the true |
| professional to act as a facilitator for growth and | | | | aspirations of the individual. The "why" is just as |
| achievement. Coaching sessions are generally | | | | important as the "what". In fact the "why" may |
| between 20 and 40 minutes in length, and clients | | | | very well determine the definition and application |
| speak with their coaches on a weekly basis. | | | | of the "what". Do you work out alone as opposed |
| The client will be the one to determine the goals | | | | to with a partner or a group? Why? Is it better |
| that need to be accomplished. | | | | to steer a client who is shy and subdued into an |
| The coach observes, gives objective feedback, | | | | animated group class, rather in a one on one with |
| teaches, helps to develop a plan and holds the | | | | a trainer? Is it more productive to steer a loud |
| client accountable for taking action. The coach | | | | and boisterous client to a quiet yoga or Tai Chi |
| helps the client clarify and address issues that | | | | class rather that a noisy hard core gym? Maybe. |
| may be holding them back. The coach uses | | | | Maybe not. That's why dialog and the collaboration |
| creative tools and techniques, personal experience, | | | | are so important. |
| expertise and encouragement to assist in bringing | | | | There is more to an active lifestyle than shedding |
| their behavioral changes about. | | | | bad habits and developing constructive ones. |
| Coaching has similarities to consulting. However, | | | | Depending on the activities one may engage in, |
| the distinction is that coaching uses questioning | | | | there are mental and emotional processes, |
| techniques to facilitate the client's own thought | | | | engaging unfamiliar muscle groups, building new |
| processes in order to identify solutions and actions | | | | musculature where it may be lacking, develop |
| in a consistent on going relationship, helping | | | | new central nervous system responses to |
| implement change, develop new skills, and reach | | | | unfamiliar stimuli, et al. It can overwhelm a |
| goals. The focus is on assisting them to discover | | | | strategy strictly based on habit reformation. |
| the solutions on their own. Consulting is usually a | | | | The key goals are core changes in physical, |
| wholly directive approach often dispensing advice | | | | mental, social and maybe even spiritual well being. |
| and telling people what they should do in a given | | | | A head above a flatter belly or bigger biceps. |
| set of circumstances. | | | | In any fitness coaching or training program, the |
| Coaching is not therapy. Therapy typically is used | | | | PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) |
| to help clients resolve the issues of the past that | | | | must be completed by all clients prior to engaging |
| still affect the client in the present. However, | | | | in any other assessment. Regular physical activity |
| coaching is focused on the future, achieving | | | | is fun, invigorating and healthy, and more people |
| personal growth by setting goals and changing | | | | are choosing to become more active every day. |
| self-defeating or non- productive behaviors. If it | | | | Being more active is relatively safe for most |
| becomes apparent that a client is wrestling with | | | | people. However, some individuals should check |
| issues that are more appropriate for a therapist, | | | | with their doctor before they start becoming |
| we will make a referral to a qualified professional. | | | | much more physically active. |
| Depending on the goal of the client, a coach may | | | | If you are between the ages of 15 and 69, the |
| also recommend and administer an assessment at | | | | PAR-Q will tell you if you should check with your |
| the start of a coaching relationship. There are | | | | doctor before you start. If you are over 69 |
| several types of assessments that help clients | | | | years of age, and you are not used to being very |
| identify their own behavioral styles, preferences, | | | | active, check with your doctor first. |
| goals, strengths and challenges. | | | | People face tremendous pressure today as they |
| LIFESTYLE FITNESS COACHING / FITNESS | | | | try to juggle career or business and family issues. |
| INTEGRATION | | | | Many times the well being, nutrition and physical |
| Lifestyle Fitness Coaching , or Fitness Integration | | | | conditioning of the individual is subordinated to the |
| relies on a protocol of dialog and to help the client | | | | immediate demand. Over time this breaks down |
| discover what they hope to achieve, the | | | | the core energy that we all need to function and |
| resources they are willing to invest, and the paths | | | | thrive. As your coach I will work with you to find |
| they are likely to commit to in order to reach | | | | the best path and passion for strength, agility, |
| their goals. | | | | endurance and especially energy. |