The Fitness Professionals We Need

The role of trainer could represent the most powerful force in the health of this country. This case is often made because the number of interventions, the duration of those interventions, and the scope of the interventions is greater between client and trainer than between patient and doctor. Did I just say doctors are less important? Nope. Did I just say trainers should replace doctors? Nah. 

I’m saying the fitness professional is immeasurably important to our society. Keep in mind that our society is both sick and physically incompetent. 

With that in mind, none of us can afford to lack interest in how this profession can maximize its impact on society. That said, there’s a common divide between what trainers and coaches think the world needs versus what trainers and coaches actually need. 

Classically, trainers often assume that being an expert is the desired result, when in reality the world needs competent trainers who behave like a student. This ensures they will continue to improve and remain curious on developmental offense instead of being defensive and dogmatic. It’s surprising how much time fitness professionals spend fighting for “rightness” about fitness dogma that could be spent helping people. 

Many trainers are of the mindset that their athletics accomplishments are paramount to their coaching legitimacy. In reality, the skill of performing and the skill of coaching deserve to be categorically different and respected as such. Being proficient as an athlete is important insofar as much as it helps your coaching craft, not an ounce more. Often, it’s used as a bargaining chip. “I’ve won this event, therefore I am proficient as a coach” is clearly broken logic. No one cares… still. If you want to claim 14th place in a weekend strength sport event, great! Just don’t think that you’re fighting the good fight for the craft of coaching. 

The world doesn’t need more people with abs using their abs to claim authority. The world needs fitness professionals that are interested in being great at their responsibilities. In many ways, our country’s health depends on it. 

What Trainers Think We Need Trainers to Be:                          What We Actually Need Trainers to Be:

A respected authority.                                                                         A competent and curious student of the craft.

An elite athlete.                                                                                     An elite trainer. 

An intense motivator.                                                                          An effective communicator.

Exclusive.                                                                                               Inclusive.