Written by Lauren Irvine
Those who are already working in the fitness industry already know just how incredibly rewarding a career as a personal trainer can be. Personal trainers and fitness coaches actively work with their clients towards achieving their personal goals, whether that be fat loss, hypertrophy, general wellbeing or something else.
However, the impact that a personal trainer can have on the life of their clients long after they’ve stopped working together, is what truly makes a career as a personal trainer a special one. And it’s these lifelong impacts that make being a personal trainer both a responsibility and a real privilege.
Exercise helps to prevent diseases
Studies have shown that regular exercise has multiple benefits on people throughout their lifetime. In adults, regular physical activity can reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis. Not only this, but the research shows that the benefits of exercise are so profound, there should be more of an emphasis on integrating prescribed physical activity in the care plans of those already suffering from chronic diseases.
Personal trainers have the opportunity to be a part of allied health teams whose focus is on improving the quality of life and longevity of adults as they get older.
Physical activity improves cognitive performance
In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, there are many mental benefits that come from keeping active on a regular basis. For older adults and the elderly, exercise can have a positive impact on age related decline and reduced cognitive impairment. Multiple studies support the evidence that exercise can improve brain function and health, especially in older adults.
From this, it’s evident that personal trainers working with older populations have an important role when it comes to their cognitive health. Additionally, helping younger clients create regular exercise habits from an early age can set them up for life.
Exercise can help to reduce depression and anxiety
Studies and research have repeatedly shown exercise to play a beneficial role in both the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety. Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, boost depressed moods, have a positive impact on self esteem, improve motivation, sleep, immune function and much more.
While many clients will come to you wanting to achieve their aesthetic or performance goals, it’s important to educate them on the positive impacts from above, which will be incentives for them to continue exercise throughout their lives, even after achieving their physical goals.
If you are a working personal trainer or someone looking to get into the industry, it’s important to remember that your role within your clients’ lives is much more than just being a trainer they see once or twice a week. You have the ability to not only educate them but help them to implement a regular exercise regime that fits in with their lifestyle, enabling them to stay continuously active throughout their lifetime.
If you can do this, then the ripple effect of all the positive benefits of regular exercise above will follow.
Want to make an impact? Enrol into our industry leading Master Coach Program to become a qualified personal trainer and start changing lives! Click here for more information.
References:
1. Mora, J. C., & Valencia, W. M. (2018). Exercise and Older Adults. Clinics in Geriatric Medicin, 34(1), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2017.08.007
2. Kirk-Sanchez, N., & McGough, E. (2013). Physical exercise and cognitive performance in the elderly: current perspectives. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 51. https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s39506
3. Archer, T., Josefsson, T., & Lindwall, M. (2015). Effects of Physical Exercise on Depressive Symptoms and Biomarkers in Depression. CNS & Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets, 13(10), 1640–1653. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527313666141130203245
