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A few weeks ago, while in LA presenting, I was asked a simple question by one of the attendees:
A simple inquiry to be sure. However, required a bit of heft to answer. I mean it’s not like they asked my thoughts on Linear Periodization, kipping pull-ups, or, I don’t know, the atomic mass of Manganese,all of which can be answered with witty footnotes. My response was likely a bit of a curveball. While I could have easily gone into the nuances of assessment, program design, and the importance of positional breathing and what philosophical pivots I’ve made on each in recent years – or waxed poetic on why “textbook technique” doesn’t exist – I didn’t. Instead, I brought up the words we use as coaches, and how they can have a profound influence on our clients and athletes. Words MatterLets start with an inane example. A word. A word we use all the time in the fitness industry and one that serves as a cornerstone for what we do as a profession: AssessmentFor us (coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, athletic trainers) the word induces or implies a start. We use an amalgamation of our expertise in anatomy, program design, bodily movement, and exercise technique/prescription (amongst other thing) and apply all of it to best fit the needs, goals, and ability level of the person sitting in front of us. In other words: We attempt to find the most efficient, safe, and straightest line possible between Point B (where the client wants to go/goals) and Point A (where they are presently). Alternatively, for them (clients/athletes/pirates), the word “assessment” can mean a plethora of things:
Above all, though, I think most people feel an assessment is nothing more than 45-60 minutes of a complete stranger judging the shit out of them:
In short: It’s a window of time where some douchy trainer takes every opportunity possible to showcase how much of a walking ball of fail someone is. I’ve personally taken steps to try to omit the word “assessment” from my vocabulary. I just feel the connotation breeds a negative tone out of the gate and is something I’d rather avoid. I ain’t got time for that. Instead I’ve opted to steal a page from my colleagues Ryan Ketchum and Doug Spurling who, in an effort to make things more palatable, have resorted to using the term SUCCESS SESSION in lieu of assessment. It just feels less judgy, doesn’t it? The Power of ‘Of Coursing’I have many friends in the fitness industry and it’s not uncommon for us to commiserate with one another about asinine things we read on the internet or maybe share a frustrating story regarding a client. Here’s a recent back and forth I had with a friend:
Admittedly, after reading his description of events, I too had to resist the urge to jump in front of a bus. Why are people so adamant on repeating the same thing(s) over and over and over again to the tune of the same inconsistent results? Five years ago Tony would have handled things the same way my friend did. Present day Tony had this to say:
This is a tactic I stole from my wife, Dr. Lisa Lewis, and it works like a charm. Instead of berating or guilting a client who’s trying to lose fat for eating a bowl of Golden Grahams before bed – “you’re weak,” or “I guess you don’t want it bad enough,” or “I’m not mad, just disappointed” – I’ll opt to “of course” him or her to death.
Or what about the client who misses a few workouts?
Or what about the client who wants to give keto a try?
Kidding of course. But do you see the general theme here? By leaning in and recognizing why someone would choose to do what they do – and not being an uppity curmudgeon about it (in addition to offering a solution) – you open up the doors for change to actually happen. Try it. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2018/11/words-use-matter/
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AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
April 2023
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