I remember when I first started working as a Strength and Conditioning intern, I would sit back and observe how the coaches would coach and cue the athletes. After a few months I earned my right to be able to coach and give feedback to my own athletes. As I recall it sounded very similar to this:
“From the start tuck your chin in, make sure you have good shin angles and drive off BOTH feet, throw your elbows back hard, make sure you have a strong back side extension, don’t turn over too quickly but make sure you’re not bounding, once you hit X point you need to open that stride length up, pull the track back HARD, etc…”
Sports Performance Training Gibberish
Now put this into the perspective of a young athlete that doesn’t fully understand sprint terminology, nor the positionings as well as a sports performance trainer = VERY confused athlete.
To the athlete you pretty much sound like the “Micro Machine” guy:
My young naive performance coaching self was so eager to spread knowledge and to validate myself by spitting out all this gibberish, that I failed the athlete. I cued the athlete around 9 different points to focus on?! Did this help my athlete out? NOPE, not one bit.
Personal Training Gibberish
Being a personal trainer in NYC allows me to work side by side with others trainers in Manhattan’s private personal training gyms. Now this is a good and a bad situation: good that I get to be around my personal training buddies but also bad because I’m around some questionable personal trainers too.
The other day I watched a personal trainer talk to his client about anatomy and positions. As my client and I finished up on the platform (15-20min), I walked past the same trainer and client having the same exact conversation?? While it’s good (to an extent) to impress your client, it’s NOT good to utilize your clients time like that. Secondly, your client will not fully understand your cue when dropping anatomical terminology (for most clients). Sadly I also watched this same personal trainer get so frustrated, he started yelling at his client…word of advice, DO NOT yell at your client. Nothing else needs to be said about that, no excuses, just don’t do it.
Speak Less = More
When I first stated I was a super eager young strength and conditioning coach read to spill off knowledge to anyone that would listen. After working with other coaches and more practical experience, I quickly learned to speak the clients language. NYC Personal trainers need to do the same, is it better to say, bring your knees up or I need more hip flexion out of you?
What’s the benefit of all that time spent, if your client doesn’t fully understand what you want? A true sign of an experienced and effective sports performance coach or personal trainer, is one that can communicate his/her thoughts simply and effectively to any client. Training and coaching can be very simple but sometimes we get so eager to spread our new found knowledge and information that we overcomplicate it.
Keep it simple,
Team Fusion Trained
About the Author
Speak Your Mind