I’ve Changed.

I’ve changed

As we all do, or should, over the course of our lives.

Straight out of my Level 3 qualification I had all sorts of ideas about what being a PT was, how my sessions would go, what my clients would do. Over time I learned many things that changed those initial ideas though I still held on to my core values, believing that exercise is something we should all be doing (ideally enjoying) in a way that enhances our lives.

A few things I no longer do…

Obsess over the details of a training programme and stick rigidly to it. In my initial years of PT. I had little flexibility towards the session plan. If it was squats that day we were doing squats, maybe bit lighter if you were tired but that was the only real adjustment. I was quite married to my programming and whilst I think this helped me to be more efficient in planning and delivering sessions my approach now is far more relaxed. 

Stretch clients,

This one was weird and I’m not sure why it happened. It didn’t last.

Spent too much time on good form. Yes, it is important, what’s more important is getting the exercise done though. I’m better at choosing appropriate exercises now which helps massively but I’ve also seen enough bodies move to know that they’re all different and form is a guide rather than a rule.

Encourage calorie tracking.

I did this for a while myself and had some success so it was probably the only way I  knew to help others.  People who did not have the same time or inclination as me to faff around with weighing their  food. I quickly learned this one wasn’t going to be for everyone and moved towards a more habit based approach using a visual food diary than a my fitness pal log.

The long and short of it is, I’m way more chilled out than I was when I first started but no less passionate. I love getting people moving, seeing them enjoy exercise, get strong, do cool things. It never gets old. I no longer obsess with the most optimal type of training, coaching the big lifts or being frustrated with people for not following my programming exactly. Those things matter far less than enjoyment and consistency when it coms to getting great results.