What To Expect
From Fitness Coaching

In most gyms, quotes like “Every workout counts”, “No pain No gain”, etc are written. They are good for motivation. But they are usually with some human images like olympic bodybuilders with larger biceps, broad chest and six-pack abs etc. which mislead some people to expect unrealistic body while some run away from exercise in the fear of getting such a huge body.

Today fitness industry has become a “showing” (body aesthetic) business rather than “being” (fit & healthy). Inquiries related to fitness programs are loaded with doubts, myths and misconception.

It could be because of influencers’ social media account, health magazines are having body images that are portrayed as idealistic/symbol of perfection in current society. And unfortunately bigger picture of improving five fitness components and Holistic Health are getting ignored or missed out for the sake of a small screen selfie picture.

Here is my attempt to help you understand what one should expect from qualified Fitness Coach/ Personal Trainer, to benefit maximum from her/his knowledge and experience. In books based on a positive mindset, it's mostly said: “expectations bring disappointments”. But I feel wrong expectation brings unhappiness and not expectation itself. As ‘how to expect rightly’ cant come in one single quote line, the right knowledge about a person or object or project is very important.

I have tried putting this knowledge about Fitness counselling and Personal Training sessions into the following points for easier understanding:

1. After understanding your current Fitness level, lifestyle Pattern/ Routine, medical reports, body composition/body type/measurements analysis, the coach/trainer understands your current fitness status.
2. In-depth fitness counselling session is a must where discussion on fitness components, right goal setting, lifestyle changes, exercise scheduling is done.
3. Fitness training is all about scheduling weekly exercise program and guiding on form, technique & progressive overload for all fitness components.
4. Customization, modifications and motivation in the exercise plan as and when required is the USP.

What To Expect:

# First 12 sessions:

• For anyone, it's a stepping stone to start a fitness journey.
• It's a period of understanding your body, understanding exercise and adopting a new lifestyle.
• Be an observer, a learner and a follower in these first 12 sessions.

# 24 to 36 sessions:

• Exercise now becomes a part of your weekly schedule.
• Start noticing improvement in physiology e.g. strength, stamina, flexibility, focus, mind-body coordination and muscle toning.
• Be a learner to correct form and technique while exercising.

# 36 sessions onwards:

• If someone remains focused on this program, he or she starts embracing fitness as their mission. This is the time to focus on progressive overload at every exercise.
• Exercise done along with healthy eating starts showing improvement at body composition, body toning and in medical reports if any.
• Few have also shared that they have experienced mental strength and emotional well being as its truly said mind and body are interlinked.
  ***Now if in case anyone discontinues exercise, the benefits of exercise stops. Nothing worst going to happen like body swelling, fat gain unless he/she practices an unhealthy lifestyle. It is the same like we stop getting money when we stop working for it. And go bankrupt if starts spending more money than having. Consistency in healthy habits is essential in every area, we should not blame exercise for it.

I am sure by now you must have acquired the right knowledge that each Fitness Training session is a step towards a fit and healthy body that optimize general physical preparedness and not look at it as just a six-pack abs, large bicep or spot reduction tool.

The bigger picture is that we can develop a mind and body that gives sound sleep at night, that prevents both communicable as well as non-communicable diseases, that recovers faster from diseases if occurs, ages gracefully and helps to do trekking/swimming/skiing even at life’s second inning.

Disclaimer : This blog is informative, its application must be done under the guidance of a health professional.