| "It
is a well known fact that drop-out rates for those beginning
and exercise program are alarming and a number of studies report
drop-outs from standard exercise programs to reach 50 percent
or more by the end of the first six months" (Dishman, 1991).
Michael
Sachs PHD – Professor of Sports Psychology at Temple University
(Philadelphia) states, "One needs to set specific, achievable
goals," and a well known champion professional bodybuilder,
Ronnie Coleman, states, "One needs to prioritize commitment,
and stay focused, which is essential to long term success
in bodybuilding." It is further suggested that the reason
for the dropout rate being so high is sometimes complex, and
multifaceted.
The newcomer’s
ability to resolve common barriers to exercise, such as travel,
injury, illness, competing demands on time, boredom and high
stress periods finish the list of barriers and are often difficult
to overcome. One has to exercise appropriately and effectively
and attempt to develop self-confidence in being able to engage
in physical activity or complete an exercise program.
The ability
to persevere without external rewards, the perceptions of
program convenience and enjoyment, and perceptions that the
activity is not overly uncomfortable or difficult, are also
important. Often a newcomer to exercise is not aware of the
myriad of choices in program design that ensure the program
remains exciting and challenging.
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Personal
trainers are able to provide a needs analysis of the individual,
goal setting, a needs analysis of the activity, fitness testing,
a general yearly training plan, a specific yearly training plan,
create daily workouts and provide constant evaluation and required
motivation.
While
developing the appropriate prescription of training, the Professional
Trainer also works towards directing his/her client to foster
self-management of his/her program. What follows is a sense
of personal responsibility and commitment to exercise. It
is critical to realize that one must take charge of one’s
exercise regimen as a lifelong goal, rather than as a time-limited
commitment that ends when certain goals have been reached.
In addition to providing ongoing expert advice and instruction
about effective training for a client, a major part of the
personal trainer’s job is motivating the client to stick with
a regular physical activity routine.
Developing
strategies to keep each client interested and motivated is
often as important as designing the actual exercise program.
Feedback is just as important as self-direction in maintaining
focus and motivation, and motivations must be dynamic in nature.
A trainer is also in a unique position to provide accurate
information and encouragement for the development of a healthy
lifestyle beyond exercise. When unplanned breaks in the exercise
regimen due to illness, work schedule, unplanned travel, holidays,
or failure to observe further gains, following a period of
significant progress occur, the professional trainer will
be able to help the client re-focus and motivate him/her to
return to activity, or to reach the next "plateau."
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