Personalisation in Fitness: Tailoring Workout Routines for Individual Clients
Traditionally, fitness training programs usually were one-size-fits-all. Generic workout plans and dietary plans were devised for a specific goal and clients were expected to adapt to this model. Although this approach would work for some people, it does not guarantee the same results for all types of clients.
For example, Mary has decided to join her local gym to lose weight and improve her overall fitness levels. She started off with a group fitness class that was advertised as suitable for all fitness levels. However, after attending a HIIT class, Mary was overwhelmed and did not have a good experience. This got her demotivated and she ended up quitting after a few sessions.
People have different needs, fitness levels and lifestyles which play a big role in what their goals and motivations towards fitness are. This is why personalisation is the cornerstone of today’s evolving world of fitness and wellness.
The Significance of Personalisation
Maximising Results
The main reason for gym owners to personalise their workout plans and routines is the ability to maximise results. When you tailor your fitness program to your client’s specific needs, body type, fitness levels and lifestyle, the chances of them surpassing those goals and seeing results are significantly higher.
Say you have two clients looking to lose weight, let’s call one James and another Jane. James is a 30-year-old accountant while Jane is a 25-year-old student. Both lead very different lifestyles and have different work schedules. As their trainer, recognising the differences in their lifestyles will give you the ability to create a personalised workout for them to maximise their output without causing any loss in motivation.
Injury prevention
Injuries are the most common setback in a fitness journey. These can be caused by overexertion, improper form or from pushing too hard. Understanding more about your clients can help you create fitness workouts that play to their strengths and reduce the likelihood of injury. Gym owners and trainers who understand this and can adapt their fitness programs easily can have higher levels of retention as their clients can see results and continue to be motivated in their fitness journey.
Long-term commitment
Daniel, a 35-year-old IT consultant, had never managed to be committed to his fitness routine. You, his fitness trainer noticed this and incorporated Daniel’s love for technology into his fitness routine by recommending fitness apps that tracked his progress. This personalised gamification experience helped in keeping Daniel engaged with his workout plan leading to a long-term commitment to fitness.
As you can see from the example above, personalisation plays a key role in ensuring long-term commitment towards fitness from your clients. By showing actual results and progress, your clients can feel that the fitness program they follow is focused on their needs which makes it more likely that they will stick to it!
Tailored nutrition plans
Fitness is not just about exercise; nutrition plays a significant role as well. Personalised fitness programs often include dietary guidance that aligns with an individual's goals. Whether someone needs to gain or lose weight, manage specific health conditions, or improve overall nutrition, personalised recommendations can make a significant difference.
You might be wondering how fitness trainers like you can easily add more personalisation to your client’s workout plans.
Your personalisation journey should begin the moment your client joins your gym. Only by taking a detailed assessment of your client can you create a strong personalised plan for them to follow. Things you should ask in this assessment -
- Their current fitness levels
- Goals and milestones they want to achieve
- Had they suffered from any injury in the past
- Any specific requirements they might have
- Do they have any limitations - e.g. particular movements can’t be done
Once you’ve got a proper understanding of your client’s needs and objectives, you should work together with your client to set clear and achievable fitness goals. These could include weight loss, muscle gain, improved cardiovascular fitness or any combination of these. After this, you can start with your client’s customised fitness plan.
It is very important to continuously monitor your client’s progress through the fitness program. Regular check-ins will help you know if your client is on track or not which can help you make adjustments to their workout plan. Personlisation does not end with the initial plan, you have to continuously adapt to your clients' progress which can also help in keeping them motivated.
How can technology help with your personalisation efforts?
According to research conducted by Straits Research, The global wearable fitness tracker market size was valued at USD 45 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 192 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.5% during the forecast period (2022–2030). With the introduction of fitness apps and fitness trackers like Fitbit, the world of fitness routines has completely changed.
Fitness wearable technology can help you monitor your client’s activity levels and heart rates during a session and during evaluations. This data can help you adapt your client’s workout routines and provide real-time feedback enhancing the overall personalisation process.
Post-pandemic, we have also seen a rise in online fitness training platforms. This has helped fitness professionals to expand their audiences and made personalised fitness programs more accessible. Platforms such as Strava can help track if your clients are progressing well or do they need more recovery days which can help you adjust your workout routines.
In conclusion, adding personalised fitness plans to your fitness business can benefit not only your fitness studio but also your clients. By tailoring workout plans to individual client needs and goals, you can help them achieve their goals in an effective manner and keep them committed to their fitness journey. So, whether you're a trainer or someone on a fitness journey, remember that personalisation is the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving lasting success in the world of fitness.
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