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Why Safety Has to Be the Fitness Industry's Top Priority in 2018

 

While the year is just getting started it’s a good idea to set the proverbial mold now before it hardens. What I’m saying here is that we need to set the standard now and that standard must focus on a fitness environment that values safety on top of achieving one’s fitness goals.

 

[National Posture Institute] Why Safety Has to Be the Fitness Industry's Top Priority in 2018

 

If you’ll recall, 2017 had a lion-share of new developments, but most of all we saw a rise in popularity in some of the most intense exercise styles. In response, there’s been a host of new negative developments, including conditions born from the higher intensity workouts and lower recovery periods, atop the lack of safety and precautions necessary to ensure a positive outcome.

 

It’s gotten real bad in some cases and we need to put our best foot forward and focus on safety once again. Whatever happened to that agreement we made when we became fitness professionals? Every professional should know that safety is the top priority when working with clients. It seems that has conveniently been pushed to the wayside for brasher and bolder workout programs.

 

We’ve developed a new standard that says intensity is the name of the game; it’s as if some are being programmed to believe that unless their workouts are gut busting, sweat inducing, or their legs feel like jelly after then the workout didn’t hit the mark. Since when did this become the norm for a successful workout session and why aren’t more professionals frowning on it?

 

It doesn’t take a high intensity workout to achieve results. Sure, it’s possible to design a workout program that includes a few days where the intensity is higher, but when is enough, enough? Where do we go from here and how will fitness professionals seek to increase the intensity or the challenge? Is it even necessary? I’m asking these questions to raise suspicion because many know that it takes more than just exercise; it takes good dietary habits and consistency.

 

If one thinks that higher intensity workout programs are the way to go, there needs to be designated time for recovery days and a keen eye on injury prevention. Gyms are boasting all sorts of fat loss, weight dropping, and muscle building programs, but their professionals, though qualified, aren’t considering the members of their class. They aren’t considering limitations, adequate modifications, or recovery time. All this will eventually lead to more injuries; more people will feel overworked and will fall right back into whatever habits they had prior to getting on their fitness journey.

 

Members of the fitness industry are supposed to help their clients achieve their results in a safe and healthy manner, but too many of us are focused on fast and somewhat unrealistic results. What’s worse are the professionals who say that these programs can help, but know that they can’t on their own. However, they’ll still push their clients to the brink and over if need be because they stand by their method and their clients believe it’ll work.

 

So, where do we go from here? How do we start this ball rolling? If you’re accustomed to higher intensity workouts or you want to incorporate them into your sessions be mindful of what was mentioned here. Modify and make accommodations for your clients. If you’re teaching a large class, be aware that everyone in there won’t be able to do your workout, while others will follow you to the ends of the Earth. Either way, this means their wellbeing is in your hands so design a class where you can modify techniques and set limits.

 

Ask clients to pay attention and respect their limits; that could mean slowing down when everyone is going fast. That could also mean taking more breaks and ultimately attending the class more often to get into the groove of things. Time is important, encourage them to stay consistent and tell them the truth about achieving their results. Nothing happens overnight and higher intensity doesn’t necessarily mean increased chance for results.

 

Safety first, right? We’ve all heard it, but it’s time we lived by this and take steps to actively put measures into place to protect our clients. Sometimes, we need to protect them from themselves, as they’ll no doubt want to push and jump on everything that sounds like it could help them. Be confident in approaching them and explaining how to make their workouts safer and how to achieve their results over a healthier timetable.

 

With all this said, we’re proud of our NPI-Certified Resistance Training Professional™ (NPI-RTP™) certificate program. This program teaches professionals about the most common exercises and shows how to modify them. The important part here is body alignment and respecting one’s limits. We value you and your clients, and want to help you put your best foot forward in 2018.

 

Here’s the program >>

 

 
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