I was given an administrative role to start off my work experience. I was handling booking for clients, managing the Whats’app group and tracking the client progression.
The administration role links to my career path of a physiotherapist, as it is important to create health programmes for each client to see how well they are progressing. With the individual information I was able to help plan a realistic goal to achieve within a specific time frame.
Personal trainers can either have one to one session with clients or group sessions whereas a physiotherapist focuses on one person at a time to reach their goal. This can be from losing weight, flexibility, and resistant machines whilst providing them with all information they require to use equipment.
Within this placement, I was able to find alternatives to keep my clients motivated to have them continue with the goal their desired goal. Positivity is key for upholding the number of cliental. As a personal trainer you are more than a teacher, you are a motivator, mentor, friend and workout partner.
The Skills I developed whilst the first 10 hours of my placement was, an active listener, communicating and creativity. As I am now exposed to the process used to create programmes for a client or a group and the structure of how to conduct a class from start to finish.
I am at the stage of completing 20 hours at placement, I noticed I lacked confidence in instructing a group. I could be unclear when explaining what to do and I found myself demonstrating straight after. Speaking to my mentor could increase my confidence and help with my verbal communication and research strategies.
During my placement, the C28 programme focused on the full body from cardio, body toning with resistance and core exercises. I was able to instruct the warm-up and cool downs. The activities I set out for the group were basic stretches to prepare the body for the work out and to return the body back to the resting state.
For the warm-up, I started the group off with a 5-minute brisk walk, increased the brisk walk to a light jog for another 5 minutes to prepare them for a run. When the run was completed, the personal trainer (PT) took over to start the main work out. The warm-up took place either outside of the venue depending on the weather or inside of the venue whereas the warm-up would consist of a fast pace cardio warm up. Cool downs is a slow-paced workout routine that gradually decrease intensity by walking in place until everyone can control their breathing for approximately 10 minutes followed by a full body stretch which helps improve flexibility. I start the cool downs from the bottom half of the body and work my way up until the full body is stretched. Starting from rotating the ankles, calf stretches, hamstring, quadriceps, gluts, hips, upper back, arms, chest and shoulders to relax all major muscle groups in the body, (Crouch).