1.1 What is Personal Training?
To accurately describe personal training, we need to ask every client a personal trainer has ever trained, as the experience is highly individual. However, we can offer our perspective on personal training to help you better understand the PT Business Academy (PTBA) Personal Fitness Trainer course structure and what to expect from the insights and knowledge provided in this textbook.
A common misconception among the general population with no experience in personal training is that it merely involves counting repetitions and occasionally correcting the trainee’s exercise form. This perception could not be further from the truth. The PTBA views personal training as a holistic health, fitness, and performance approach. Therefore, we believe the term “personal training” is an understatement of our work and should evolve into “personal coaching” in the future.
By referring to personal training as coaching, we acknowledge the comprehensive process through which we guide our clients. This process starts with a solid and foundational understanding of humans as a whole, as Martin Luther’s anthropological scheme describes: a human consists of body, soul, and spirit in time and space. By this definition and our responsibility for the well-being of the whole human, we need to widen our knowledge to serve our clients’ needs.
The Body
Personal training, by the definition of “training,” focuses on the physical aspect of an individual – the body. A personal trainer designs customized workout plans tailored to clients’ needs, abilities, and goals. These plans should consider age, weight, fitness level, medical history, and specific health conditions or injuries of the trained individual.
The trainer should also teach and educate clients on proper exercise techniques and provide the necessary motivation and support to help clients achieve their goals. Personal trainers often collaborate with other professionals, such as physicians, physical therapists, and other related professionals, to create a well-rounded program for their clients that addresses physical fitness, diet, and rehabilitation, if necessary.
The Soul
The soul encompasses an individual’s emotional and psychological well-being. Indeed this aspect of personal training is familiar and well-established in fitness. Therefore we wanted to provide greater insight for the PTBA Personal trainers into psychology and the available tools to improve and elevate our services. Personal trainers should know their clients’ emotional states and adjust their approach accordingly. For example, if a client is experiencing overwhelming stress, anxiety, or is experiencing other emotional states, that can influence the client’s functional living and performance. In that case, the trainer might incorporate stress-relieving exercises or techniques into their overall strategy and the workout plan of that client.
Moreover, personal trainers should help clients develop positive mindsets and self-confidence. They should encourage clients to set realistic goals, overcome self-doubt, and celebrate accomplishments, no matter how small. By addressing the soul, personal trainers help clients develop the mental resilience needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve long-term success.
The Spirit
The spirit represents an individual’s inner drive, passion, and motivation. Personal trainers must understand that each client is unique, and therefore, their sources of motivation will vary. The trainer is responsible for identifying what drives a particular client and using this knowledge to inspire and empower them.
By recognizing the importance of the spirit, personal trainers can promote a sense of purpose and commitment in their clients, which is crucial for long-term success. This might involve helping clients identify their “why” for pursuing a fitness journey or finding activities they genuinely enjoy and feel passionate about. By tapping into the client’s spirit, personal trainers can ensure a more meaningful and enjoyable fitness experience.
Personal training is more than simply counting reps and correcting exercise form. It involves a holistic approach to health, fitness, and performance that addresses the individual’s body, soul, and spirit. Understanding and catering to these aspects are crucial for personal trainers to provide clients with a comprehensive and transformative experience.
Our Mission
Our mission at the PTBA is to redefine personal training as personal coaching and emphasize the holistic nature of our work. The PTBA Personal Fitness Trainer course aims to equip aspiring trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to help clients achieve their goals by addressing all aspects of their well-being. By embracing the concept of personal coaching, we believe that personal trainers can better serve their clients, create lasting change, and elevate the industry as a whole. Suppose you are considering a career in personal training or seeking a personal trainer. In that case, it is essential to understand the full scope of what personal training entails and how it can impact your or clients’ lives. We congratulate you on taking the right step and welcome you at the start of your journey as a personal trainer.