The first class on Day 1 of the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Optima Conference was a welcome indicator of what was to come. Being my first time at this event, I was not sure what to expect but James Fitzgerald of OPEX Fitness put any concerns to rest.
The class was titled "The Case Against High Intensity". It's a great hook for trainers like myself and my husband because we KNOW high intensity training is not the answer, we just don't always have the right words to express it or have the current science and evidence about it. It's funny because I signed up for this class based on what I thought the headline would bring but of course ended up learning so much more! Here's the gist:
What can I do to be a better coach?
I could do some more continuing education, which is necessary and needed, but there's only so many new techniques, updated research, new evidence you can take in before you start to realize: am I coaching to the best of my ability? With all this great information, am I giving my clients what they want or am I just bogging them down with a ton of info they don't necessarily even understand?
Like I said, I absolutely need to know how the new cardio model works (to be discussed in a later post) or how Self-Myofascial Release is now Self-Myofascial Technique (it's a technicality really, they claim there's no actual "release" of the muscle or fascia and the brain will just reset the area within about 20 minutes so you're really just interrupting neurological patterns but I still see it as a temporary release of tension...I digress). So it's important to know all of that BUT how can I be more effective in my coaching, listen better, program better, communicate better? That's where OPEX comes in.
I'm currently going through their intro course to the Coaching Certificate Program which I already decided I'll be applying for. I have enough continuing education for now, it's time to hone in on my practice and make it the best it can be. I'm certified with the highest rated, most sought after organizations in the industry: NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach. I don't settle for anything less than the best of the best (of the best, sir!) and OPEX Fitness offers the education for coaches seeking career success, longevity, and fulfillment (https://opexfit.com/story-of-opex/). I look forward to this next step in my journey and cannot wait to share it with my future #trekersforlife!
The class was titled "The Case Against High Intensity". It's a great hook for trainers like myself and my husband because we KNOW high intensity training is not the answer, we just don't always have the right words to express it or have the current science and evidence about it. It's funny because I signed up for this class based on what I thought the headline would bring but of course ended up learning so much more! Here's the gist:
- We need to look at fitness as the "long game"
- Is this program I've created sustainable for someone to start in their 30's and continue into their 40's, 50's, what about their 80's?
- Is my client able to perform without compensation, are they able to recover, and are they able to repeat this program 3-4 days every week?
- If the answer to any of these is no, should they even being doing it? What is the intention of that exercise or program?
- Quick fixes/Instant gratification are not sustainable but it's what we all want, right? It's what the media promotes.
- It's my responsibility to combat that "bad" marketing with good, quality information.
- When you really take the time and ask your clients the tough questions and get down to the root of why they want to get stronger, lose weight, etc. you find out what they really want is to live longer, healthier, move better for their kids, their grand kids.
- For people out there changing lives on a large scale, let's use Tony Robbins as an example, he wants to keep spreading his message for as LONG as he can. Don't you think he'll be doing everything necessary to ensure that happens? Do you think if he was doing HIIT training that would deliver the results he wants? The answer is no.
In short, it's an uphill battle for coaches like James Fitzgerald, myself, my husband, and others like minded. No one wants to hear it's going to take a year to reach their goal, they want the 30 Day Transformation! Let me be blunt: It doesn't work, it won't last, and you can't do it the rest of your life.
So what can I do?
Here's what I learned after continuing my discussion with OPEX after the class:
I could do some more continuing education, which is necessary and needed, but there's only so many new techniques, updated research, new evidence you can take in before you start to realize: am I coaching to the best of my ability? With all this great information, am I giving my clients what they want or am I just bogging them down with a ton of info they don't necessarily even understand?
Like I said, I absolutely need to know how the new cardio model works (to be discussed in a later post) or how Self-Myofascial Release is now Self-Myofascial Technique (it's a technicality really, they claim there's no actual "release" of the muscle or fascia and the brain will just reset the area within about 20 minutes so you're really just interrupting neurological patterns but I still see it as a temporary release of tension...I digress). So it's important to know all of that BUT how can I be more effective in my coaching, listen better, program better, communicate better? That's where OPEX comes in.
I'm currently going through their intro course to the Coaching Certificate Program which I already decided I'll be applying for. I have enough continuing education for now, it's time to hone in on my practice and make it the best it can be. I'm certified with the highest rated, most sought after organizations in the industry: NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist and a Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach. I don't settle for anything less than the best of the best (of the best, sir!) and OPEX Fitness offers the education for coaches seeking career success, longevity, and fulfillment (https://opexfit.com/story-of-opex/). I look forward to this next step in my journey and cannot wait to share it with my future #trekersforlife!
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| I'm blurry but you can see me next to her right shoulder in blue! |
Im interested in learning more about the myofascial technique and your thoughts on this topic. I have heard and studied some radically differing views.
ReplyDeleteThe change from "release" to "technique" is going to be released in the newest version of NASM's CPT program along with the updated understanding of how the muscles and fascia are all connected and controlled by the brain. We were told we would have access to this info even though we're already certified so I look forward to reading that and will certainly post about it once I understand more.
DeleteFor now, my personal opinion/experience, once I learned the proper ways to use foam rollers, thera canes, etc. I always see a benefit. Does the knot/adhesion go away after the first treatment? No, but it lessens and after repetition, it does. They can call it whatever they want but it's changed how I train/warm up/recover and for the better!