Getting Clear on Fitness Goals

Providing a bespoke experience as a fitness professional goes well beyond numbers.

Goal setting in Pounds, Kilos, Percentages looking to be lost or gained over the next few months doesn't represent anything more than a relationship to gravity.

Valuable data to track but these numbers rarely feel personal.

They play their role in something much larger.

As coaches we don't set a client's goals for them, but we can help them find clarity.

During a seminar with Michael Keeler held by Business for Unicorns we covered a questionnaire that's provided in the shape of a circle with eight sections having us rank from 1-10 how satisfied we were in key areas of life. 

1 (Unsatisfied) at the center of the circle and 10 (Complete Satisfaction) at its edge. 

Family, Relationships, Fun & Enjoyment, Career, Finances, Health & Aging...

After ranking, Michael asked that we now connect our scores via lines. Drawing what one would hope to be a well-rounded shape floating near the perimeter. 

I ranked, plotted my lines and sighed.

In all its inconceivable clarity, there was a chunk missing.

Two scores on my wheel, ranked lower than the rest, contributing to what would be a very uncomfortable bike ride.

In auditing my schedule and priorities, it become obvious that I was spending more time in areas that I had already ranked highly while the deficits sat idling.

Fooling myself into thinking I was making meaningful progress, I wasn't focussing on what would actually move things forward.

The other attendees were as enthused about this as I was and being a virtual room of gym owners and personal trainers, the application of this exercise for our clients was clear. 

Will we ask the "Life" questions?

How happy are you in your familial, personal, and intimate relationships? Probably not.

Instead, on a scale from 1-10 how satisfied are you with your: strength, muscle tone, body fat %, cardiovascular endurance, sleep, stress management, nutrition, number of steps per day?

Most of the general population looking for training will have never been asked to complete such a form and given its simple, illuminating nature, may be grateful that you had.

Not for its clarity on what they want 3, 6, or 12 months from now but for the clarity gained today. Allowing them to identify for themselves what needs to be done and trusting their coach to provide the bespoke program.

A roll of fabric isn't exciting when buying a custom coat.

It's the tailors skill in making it yours.

Exercises and nutrition guidance are just wool, silk, tape measures and chalk, but used correctly, people look and feel incredible.

Spending the last 6 weeks in London I've noticed the difference between off-the-rack and Savile Row.

Coaches can provide the equivalent but delivering a perfectly cut, peak lapel, soft grey pinstripe suit starts with making sure that that suit is precisely what the client had in mind.

Greg Morrone of The Fit Lab, Inc. in Hoboken, NJ introduced me to the importance of identifying how a coach can go from good service, to exceptional, "I can't wait to tell my friends about this" service. He also introduced me to Michael and Business for Unicorns, so Thanks, Greg!

If you're a coach and now consider adding this to your intake I'd love to hear about it!

If you'd like to explore your own options for Bespoke Online Fitness and Nutrition Coaching, feel free to shoot me a message.