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Training Philosophy
After observing my clients and years of watching the trials and tribulations of Personal Trainers and their clientèle, I realized that many of our plans and goals to lose weight, gain muscle, and stay healthy fall prey to some very simple mistakes.
There are three aspects to a successful exercise program (or any self-improvement program). Yet, the way we learn and train today, we all do one aspect well, but fail with the other two. Many people - from professional personal trainers to regular individuals - are excellent at defining one aspect of a successful exercise program; creating an Action Plan to achieve a stated goal. However, that’s only one third of the battle. There are two critical ingredient’s missing; Clear Goals and an Impartial Measure of Accountability.
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Clear Goals, Action Plan, and Accountability…Yet so few of us know how to set clear goals because we have never been taught how to do it properly. Even fewer of us understand how to measure and judge accountability over an extended period of time.
Since no Action Plan will succeed if the goal is not clear, most of us fail when we try a new diet, exercise program, or sporting game. We may have the perfect diet, however we have no idea how to integrate it into a system of Personal Accountability and Goal Setting.
I’ve developed a training philosophy to help my clients (as well as myself) set clear goals, define action plans, and institute accountability programs. Known simply as “G.P.A.”, my training philosophy captures Clear Goal Setting, Developing Action Plans, and Accountability Agreements between clients and trainers.
Clear Goal Setting
A stated set of clear, easily articulated, and tangible goals is essential to the success of any personal training program.
If you don’t take the time to be crystal clear about exactly what it is you’re trying to accomplish, then you’re forever doomed to spend your life observing the success of those who do.
Developing Action Plans
Most Personal trainers and clients can create and follow exercise programs, routines, and workouts that can get them closer to their goals. In fact, a majority of personal trainers believe that is all they need to do for their clients.
However, if your goals are not clear, no matter how good your action plan is, you will not achieve the results you desire. This is why so many great personal training programs do not produce results over a long period of time. The goal is muddled and fuzzy, which leads to erratic action plans, which allows clients to drop the program any time they are dissatisfied.
It’s easy to drop an excellent program when it’s built around incomplete goals. However, it’s not the exercise program, diet, or sport that is at fault, but the lack of clearly defined goals at the outset.
Accountability Agreements
The best of intentions, programs, and effort will be defeated without an implemented accountability system that is not subject to personal whims.
My clients sign an Accountability Agreement with me to reinforce that I will be following their progress towards their goal. By allowing someone else to worry about the accountability function of the program, clients concentrate solely on their goals and the action plan to achieve it.
My G.P.A. method is always a work in progress. In fact, my Goal is to refine it over time until it captures the essentials of a successful exercise program for my clients. My action plan is to chronicle how my clients respond. Finally, my accountability is in my agreements with my clients to deliver for them the results of the goals which they pursue.
I am always looking for input and feedback on my program. If you have any, please email me.
Please see my section on Personal Training for more information about Fun 2B Fit and our services.
- Leslie
