[Christina]

I remember several years ago before I was interested in becoming a personal trainer, I thought that in order to be fit you had to have a really muscular body. I noticed that as I became more educated in exercise science my views became more relaxed. Has anyone else experienced this? Or have you gone the complete opposite direction?

[megfit]

Hi Christina,

Interesting question. I guess I've been in the business so long that I can't remember my earlier perception of fitness!

I think that as I worked with more and more clients, most of who were older adults who just wanted to function and look better, my perception started to change. These were not people who were going to run a marathon. (Those were the people I saw for sports nutrition counseling.) These weren't even people who were likely to get back into their 20 year old size 6 pants, either! But they were the people who would be able to play with their grandchildren without moaning and groaning and could now get down on the floor. They were the people who could, literally, now make their bed without pain!

And so I guess what this points out is WHO'S perception of fitness?? I guess that's what I've learned the most. I would never expect that the perception of the fitness level for ME should be what my clients should aspire to. And, as I age, I don't even worry about achieving a PREVIOUS fitness level for myself.

I have a very good friend who, in the past, was a competitive cyclist and did the Hawaii Ironman three times. Today she's in constant pain and has had multiple surgeries because of genetic issues. She is in great physical cardiovascular and muscular shape but to watch her walk, she looks like an old lady. However, although she doesn't ride, run or swim today, she does hike; she does Pike's Peak every year, she recently (before a major fall hiking in the snow and almost died...) did the rim-to-rim hike at the Grand Canyon, and she's done two major treks in the last few years. Mt. Kilimanjaro and... augh, I don't remember the name. A peak in South America that starts with "A". (LOL: oh, memory goes with age, too...)

So, again, fitness is extremely variable, depending on who you are referring to.

Margie

[rbd]

I think our society has changed so much in the last decade, so I think the perception of fitness has to change. People today that join clubs or become your clients are coming in at a lower baseline then before, so your programming as to be different in today's age. Your education needs to be better and you need to have more tools in the tool box for todays client. I think as your education expands so does your definitions. What I considered fit as coming out of undergrad is much different now as I have been in the field for almost 11 years. I think fitness is a revolving term and is really based on each individual client and what they consider to be fit. Interesting post Christina and I would be interested in the other posters point of view.

[Christina]

Alwyn Cosgrove once gave a presentation (or perhaps it was one of his articles) where he showed photos of several athletes and asked, "Who is strong?" He had a photo of a powerlifter, dancer, cirque du soleil performer, martial artist, etc. It made me realize that if there are that many definitions of strength among athletes then the same must be true for the general population.

[Liz]

Christina,
I absolutely agree with, and love your thoughts here! Very insightful!

[C Lenart]

I believe it's important to demonstrate by example. In my opinion, this means being in "reasonable" physical condition so one can show the client the benefits of training. In other words, don't ask someone to do something you cannot or would not be willing to do yourself and always respect the dignity and the opinions of those you are advising. Keep in mind that you as a trainer, health instructor, or fitness professional may be on the "receiving end" of that advice one day yourself.

Finally, always listen to the patient or client, they know more about their bodies then you do.

Curt

ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor