I have been coaching for 15 years. 1 Big Mistake I Made When I Was First Getting Started

As a beginner in fitness coaching, I made several mistakes—one of which stands out as particularly significant:

Overemphasis on Nuances, Lack of Context

Here's what happened:

When learning new concepts, whether they're training-related or stem from scientific research advocating novel exercises, the tendency is to implement them prematurely and without adequate contextual understanding. This often led me to overload clients with information, thinking that would help them but the fact is much of which did not directly contribute to their progress. Consequently, clients left training sessions either confused by the complexity or discouraged by the difficulty. This approach often resulted in either client burnout or ineffective training sessions that fell short of achieving substantial improvements.

Despite this misstep, it was a valuable learning experience.

As fitness coaches, we live and breathe these information daily, but our clients do not. They hire us for our expertise and experience to facilitate their growth, not to overwhelm them with exhaustive details. Many clients are at the outset of their fitness journey; they may struggle with exercise execution, have poor daily habits, and encounter challenges managing stress.

Therefore, the key is to break down complex training knowledge into digestible chunks that is more applicable to their lifestyle, allowing them to develop skills gradually. It's essential to be attuned to their concerns and questions, offering the appropriate guidance with clear and simple instructions rather than overloading them with information, guiding their learning experiences and giving them space to internalize their experience is far more beneficial than offering exhaustive explanations.

Even when working with sports athletes, whose is enhancing strength and improving performance, stuffing them with intricate details about muscles, bones, and the physiological mechanics isn't always beneficial. Athletes benefit most from practical guidance that directly influences their performance. This includes tailored exercise routines that bolster their sport-specific strength, agility, and endurance. It’s vital to focus on applying the knowledge strategically to meet their needs, foster confidence and develop skill within their sport.

I encourage everyone to view mistakes and "failures" as essential steps in their journey.

Each mistake carries a lesson to be learned.

Thank you for reading. I hope to hear from you about any thoughts or questions that you have. Write to me at [email protected] or subscribe to my newsletter