HOW MUCH EXERCISE SCIENCE DO I NEED TO KNOW? ANATOMY OF A FITNESS PRO PT. 3
It’s really common for coaches to feel like they need to be science experts to be a good coach.
So as we continue to dissect the Anatomy of a Professional Fitness Coach, we wanted to take on some misconceptions about, well, anatomy (and exercise science broadly) and how much a coach really needs to know.
We’ll let you in on a little secret.
Your clients don’t care if you can recite every muscle in the body or explain the Krebs cycle.
In fact, if you speak to them like a walking textbook, you’re likely to do more damage than good. (An essential part of being an effective coach is meeting people at their fitness IQ and talking to them in a relatable way.)
What Knowledge and Experience Are Most Essential?
There are plenty of talented coaches getting great results who don’t have a university degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field. Having a college education in science isn’t required and doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a more successful coach. We’d argue that solid principles and experience in the gym are actually more important in the long run.
That said, we do believe that striving to understand the science behind principles and the “why” behind the practical application of program design is important. Taking the time to learn the science can help you solidify your understanding of what gets results, and what doesn’t.
When you start the OPEX Coaching Certificate Program one of the first things you’ll do is complete the Pre-Course Readings. This module is a crash course in Exercise Physiology, Anatomy, Motor Learning, Nutrition Science, and Behavior Science.
The goal of these foundational science readings is to get you comfortable with scientific terminology, provide you with a reference to return to, and give you a base of understanding for the program design principles to follow.
Armed with this knowledge, we know that you’ll feel more confident and capable as you encounter new research papers, communicate with other fitness professionals, and continue delivering your clients the best service possible.
Spots in the next CCP mentorship group are open, but continue to be reserved quickly. Apply to CCP now and receive instant access to the online curriculum, so you can begin to increase your knowledge and confidence today.
FULL 7-PART SERIES
Part 3 | How Much Exercise Science Do I Need to Know?