Strength & Conditioning for Health & Fitness

Sometimes we accept pain as a permanent part of our lives. Something we have to put up with because it's just there and a part of us and we feel there is nothing we can do about it but take pain killers and anti-inflammatories! It does not have to be that way and I am going to outline why it doesn't have to be that way and what can be done to effect that change.

"Constant pain is debilitating and can impact life quality too."

I think this is an unnecessary situation to be in for many reasons. I am not talking about chronic pain from debilitating conditions such as Crohn's disease or arthritis or any other such condition but pain from bad posture, and inactive or tight muscles.

For the purpose of simplicity I will refer to Strength & Conditioning Coaches and Personal Trainers as Coaches; and athletes or clients as athletes.

Bad posture and tight muscles can for the most part be corrected with time, effort and the correct input from a qualified Coach or Physical/Physiotherapist. To reduce or remove someone's pain through stretching, foam rolling, manipulation and exercise will improve your athletes wellbeing and quality of life. Your athlete will be happier and will recommend your skills and services to their friends and family. 

"An appropriate intervention will help to correct postural deficiencies"

I am not going to talk about any corrective exercise regimes here or what particular postures are bad or which muscles are most commonly tight. What I want to make clear is that those of us who deliver Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning or Physical Therapy should be able to assess an athlete's posture and identify obvious muscular imbalances and from there, design and deliver an appropriate intervention.

Coaches must be able to deliver more than a strength programme or a weight loss routine to our athletes. We, as coaches, are in the business of improving our athletes, helping them achieve their goals and changing their lifestyles. Sometimes a more holistic approach to training and educating our athletes is needed and to do this effectively we must have the necessary skills.

Coaches must educate and equip themselves with the skills and tools needed to appropriately assess their athletes and deliver the necessary interventions. This is essential both as a developmental process for individual coaches as well as increasing the professional standards needed within this industry. Our athletes pay us for a service that can potentially improve their health and wellbeing as well as get them fitter or stronger. They are trusting us to look after them and that we know what we are doing! 

"Ongoing education is a must for all aspiring coaches."

However, it is also important for athletes to understand that they must either speak to their coach or find a coach to work with who has the skills and experience needed to assess and address any postural deficiencies or muscular imbalances. 

I have several athletes who have seen improvements in their shoulder or hip range of motion as well as a reduction in pain whilst moving or exercising. Some of this work is ongoing while with others it has been a bonus product from a rounded programme that includes appropriate exercises and effective stretching. 

To find out more about this or other training programmes get in touch with me at Lifestyle Fitness, Kilmarnock or via my Facebook page, Get Coached.