The Struggle pt 3

"Without a set standard there is no way to measure achievement."- D'Ghon Culpepper


   Within THE STRUGGLE there will always be standards. These standards are not one sided. They will be set by both trainers and clients alike. It is the obligation of the trainer/coach to set standards and make them known to each client. These standards should be high and at the same time based on the individual that they are being set for. These standards should be set in a manner that allows the client to exceed expectations. At the same time the trainer/coach should instill the thought that the client needs to set standards of their own, and progressively exceed the standards that they have set for themselves. Standards will always be a key factor in overcoming THE STRUGGLE.

The Struggle pt 2

                    "Without a struggle, there can be no progress."- Frederick Douglas


       THE STRUGGLE will rear it's head in many different shapes, forms, and fashions. It will show up as a time issue, while in other moments it will camouflage itself as a genetic factor. THE STRUGGLE will even go so far as to present itself as a result of the past that just isn't meant to see change. Whatever it presents itself as, it is the obligation and duty of the fitness professional to isolate and expose the true identity of THE STRUGGLE. If we are not able to do this, we are of no use to our clients and it may be time to find a different profession or direct them to someone who can.
       THE STRUGGLE is usually the key factor in getting clients to the next level in their quest to attain whatever their goal may be, but that factor has no relevance if we have not taken the time to unveil it. This unveiling can at times lead us to small details that need to be addressed, or it can be the big white elephant in the middle of the room. This process should be the most detailed and in depth part of the journey simply because each person that we encounter will have specific factors in their life that only apply to their situation. It is usually the job of the fitness professional to not only help find these factors, but to also help the client identify and acknowledge these factors. Once we have done this we have given clients the power to decide for themselves if they are really ready to move towards overcoming THE STRUGGLE.
      

The Struggle pt 1

"Without a struggle, there can be no progress.”- Frederick Douglas

"The only time progress comes before struggle is in a dictionary"- GLC

     Being a fitness professional comes with many perks that can be easily overlooked and taken for granted. The not so small conveniences that we have at our disposal can be a huge dilemma for the next person. For instance ask your local trainer or resident gym rat for the best ab exercise, what the best protein to use is, or the best machine to help with the back and core and you are sure to find yourself drowning in suggestions, philosophies, and 'what I do ism's'..... both good and bad at times. This plethora of "gym knowledge" is usually gained from hours upon hours and years upon years of gym time, research, and good old fashioned experience which are the key perks that many fitness and strength professionals overlook. We usually find ourselves in the midst of countless pieces of equipment and in the company of others who do just as much research and experimentation as we do. This allows us to not only learn by word of mouth but also by testing theories and either proving them true or throwing them out and moving on. The key factor is the discipline involved in testing these theories aka THE STRUGGLE.
     Too often we find ourselves bombarded by the same questions whether it is from different individuals or someone who didn't believe the first answer we gave them. Blame our microwave society for giving the disillusion that results can happen in a short period of days. At the same time we need to blame ourselves for reinforcing this thought process by never explaining THE STRUGGLE when dealing with the public. The second that we answer that  oh so famous "What do I do to get a.......?" with "Try this exercise or supplement !".. We have unconsciously led someone down a path of disappointment simply by not taking time out to address THE STRUGGLE.