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A well-grounded philosophy is the cornerstone on which everything else is built. A sound philosophy is required for effective methods and consistent, positive results. Finally, a desire to find a better and more efficient way to train that is clearly defined and adapted to the needs of each individual client is essential. Think of a fitness system that provides continuous progress toward improvement. This system is scientifically based, resulting from the disciplines of physics, biology, anatomy, and physiology. This system is self-competitive in that it is based on constant adjustments that are necessary for achieving and maintaining fitness success. This system is continuously evolving because we understand there is no such thing as perfection: no plan is perfect; no person is perfect; and, therefore, no system is perfect in a dormant state. This system maintains a continual use of checks and balances: self-check; self-critique; evaluate; reevaluate; and then move forward, onward, and upward. This system was built to raise the level of understanding of fitness. We use it, evaluate it, and rate its usefulness to others. We want our clients to truly understand the whys, whens, whos, and hows of the system, the company, and the people in which they have invested to achieve their health, fitness, and athletic success. Learning to ask the key questions is essential to our clients- fitness success. Why are we doing what we are doing? How are we actually going to do it? What specifically are we going to do? When are we going to do it? Answering these questions enables us to design the most effective training programs for our clients. This system is the condensed wealth of information, testing, practice, and refinement that has come from the world's best minds in the physical fitness and sports sciences. It represents a continuing quest toward improvement in the world of human fitness. It is delivered by our trainers to our clients and applied in familiar contexts we can all understand. Flexible thinking, lateral thinking, openness to new ideas, and a willingness to experiment should be in all trainers minds. Change seems to be the only constant in life, so we ought to try to make ourselves and the people we come in contact with change for the better. There is somewhat of a spiritual nature to the process of learning about and obtaining optimum levels of fitness. There are many differences in approach, style, and beliefs, but there is a common set of objectives or outcomes at the root of a successful training system. Our goal is to use this system to help our clients on the path toward more intelligent and productive training and, of course, better, faster results in less time than the antiquated systems currently being used.
FUNDAMENTALS When we set out to design an efficient and effective training program, we first look at fundamental movement skills. We start with a vision of how the client wants to look or perform at the end of the program and break it down into progressive parts to arrive at that point, never losing sight of the whole. The ultimate result is a functionally integrative training program. Functional training is more than just using stability balls and stretch cords. It encompasses a range of methods and applications that aid in the transformation from training to results. Functional training is still evolving and open to innovation. We are the innovators of that evolution. Function employs an integrated as opposed to isolated approach. That is why we call it FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATIVE TRAINING or (FIT). It involves the movement of multiple body parts and the movement involves multiple planes. It is not a matter of functional or nonfunctional; rather, it is an understanding of how functional a particular movement or exercise is relative to the training objective. Movements that are less functional are isolated, repetitive movements. Examples are the leg extension and leg curl. These exercises repeat themselves and they are an end in themselves. Compare this to the lunge, which is progressive and can lead to many variations. The body is a linked system, and training involves the timing of the movement of the links of the kinetic chain. The outcome is FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATIVE TRAINING which incorporates a global systems approach to fitness training. Training for function is training with variety for a specific purpose. Functional training taps into the wisdom of the body. The most successful trainers (whose systems create the most successful clients) can sense, feel, and articulate how the body moves. More importantly, they understand how important it is that the body move efficiently. They understand that each link in the training chain has a specific role to play, that each link is part of an integrated whole, and that the results are the achievement of optimum fitness. Training the whole system, understanding the interrelationship and interdependency of the links, is what function is about. It is free flowing, not segmented. It is rhythmic, not jumpy. From both a philosophical and practical viewpoint, we must recognize the importance of basics, the fundamental movements. From there, we must understand that we are the trainers of people, not of just their bodies. Training is not something we do to the client; it is something we do in cooperation with the client. It is a partnership. Instead of paying attention to just the workout, we strive to develop the whole person: mentally, physically, and socially. It is about working closely with each individual client to define their goals and teach them how to achieve their goals. It takes imagination and enthusiasm. It empowers the client to take responsibility for his or her actions and success. Training, like parenting, teaching, and managing, provides the roots to grow and the wings to fly. Ultimately, a great trainer is an educator. Training is communicating, and communication is the key to effective training. The pursuit of fitness excellence has its own rewards. It is just as important to enjoy the journey as it is to enjoy the destination. This is accomplished through a systematic, progressive approach to the total training process. It must be manageable, measurable, and motivational. It also must be practical, personal, and proactive. Unfortunately, the majority of facilities that offer personal training and the trainers they employ continue to churn out old-style, conventional wisdom/follow-the-crowd training to justify their multi-million-dollar investments in outdated, useless, and sometimes dangerous masses of machines. This approach does not require any risk because virtually everyone has been doing it this way for the past third of a century. That is why the fitness industry and, more importantly, their customers are undergoing long-term stagnation. The innovators use conventional wisdom as a starting point and proceed from there. It is not always comfortable to innovate, but it keeps you involved and alert. It is not change for the sake of change, but purposeful change based on sound principles. It is having the resolve to design the best programs possible for your clients and having the confidence to teach them well. We have to drag the current fitness paradigm to its grave and produce programs that people stick with and form which they obtain a lifetime of benefit. In selecting exercises for training, you may have similar exercises but you can perform them differently (e.g., different tempo, with or without resistance) to adapt the exercise to each individual client. The point is that it is more than just the exercise; it is the context in which the exercise is applied that will ultimately matter the most. We have cultural, physical, educational, and economic obstacles to overcome. Today's society is much more sedentary than previous generations were. That coupled with the increased intake and the decreased quality of food has resulted in rising rates of obesity at all age and socioeconomic levels. Failure has a social price tag attached to it as well as a physical one. Crash programs usually crash. Both client and trainers need to be realistic in the time frame to allow the program to work. The training program must be dynamic. It also must be a collaborative process. The key to effective training is that the exercises must be productive as well as have a specific purpose and direction. The interaction of the various components must incorporate the proper stress but also allow adequate time for adaptation. First you identify the client's priorities, choose the methods to achieve those priorities, select the means of training, develop a menu of exercises and specific training modules, and choose appropriate tests and evaluation methods to measure results. Always keep the big picture in mind: stay away from isolation methods that ultimately limit the ability to improve fitness; instead, take full advantage of the functional interdependence of the body to develop the optimal training program for each client. Evaluate, plan, clearly define objectives, determine means and methods to reach those objectives, create an environment where success becomes natural, work with purpose and direction, design training sessions that foster and encourage discovery, and, finally, know your strengths and weaknesses as a trainer. Manage change rather than have it manage you. Remember, when you are finished changing, you are finished. We encourage trainers everywhere to get out of the weight room and broaden your horizons to incorporate training of all types. Focus on developing complete programs that will most benefit your clients, helping them be at their physical best and stay injury-free. The great trainers have certainly evolved into much more valued and prestigious figures than they were many years ago, but, unfortunately, 95% of trainers don not fall into the category of great. We understand that and try to instill greatness in our trainers. All the technical knowledge in the world is wasted if the information cannot be imparted in a format and style that benefits the client. Our company and our trainers do not merely want to be considered the best of the best; they want to be considered the only ones who can do what they do. And it all begins with establishing our training philosophy. That is the cornerstone on which successful trainers, clients, and companies are built. Thank you, Todd Mayo Executive Director U.S. Fitness Group.
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