By Wednesday of this week I’ll have completed over 100 virtual sessions in just the past three weeks. It’s taught me a ton - at least a few hundred different insights. We’d be here for weeks to cover half. So, I’ll just share three.
First, people have stepped up big time to support small businesses. Second, there is no reduction in coaching need AT ALL. It’s gone UP. Third, there is a stark contrast between genuinely/personally connecting with people and whatever it is that fitness opportunists are doing.
It’s been interesting to watch the learning curve during panic. Companies scrambled to piece together virtual programs. Any time I get on my phone I receive sponsored ads from newbs on how to do remote and online work even though they just started and I’ve been doing distance coaching for 10 years.
As far as I can tell, all of those companies and personalities are just vomiting out millions of exercise variations and regurgitating routines. That is not actually helpful. It’s a distraction. Right now people need progression. They need accountability. They need leadership, direction, connection, program, consistency. A template doesn't do that. Another routine doesn't do that. Lots of exercise variations don't do that. People can get in incredible shape with the same 5 exercises consistently performed, and progressively outperformed. Variation is nice. But it quickly becomes a distraction from skill development, health and fitness, and athleticism. A jack of all trades is a master of none.
Real coaches need to step up. Real trainers need to step up. Because the cookie-cutter templates and 30-day sign-up deals never worked for anyone before the pandemic; and they sure as hell aren’t going to cut it while people are struggling with motivation and mindset. The "influencers" who've never worked a day in an actual professional fitness business are the ones gumming up social media news feeds right now. The profiteering large fitness companies are shlepping online challenges and massive "engagement" groups on Facebook. Where's the personal human connection? Where's the listening? Where's the individual focus? Only with real, experienced coaches. So, the real, experienced coaches and trainers need to do what they do best. The marketplace wants and needs it more than ever.
First, people have stepped up big time to support small businesses. Second, there is no reduction in coaching need AT ALL. It’s gone UP. Third, there is a stark contrast between genuinely/personally connecting with people and whatever it is that fitness opportunists are doing.
It’s been interesting to watch the learning curve during panic. Companies scrambled to piece together virtual programs. Any time I get on my phone I receive sponsored ads from newbs on how to do remote and online work even though they just started and I’ve been doing distance coaching for 10 years.
As far as I can tell, all of those companies and personalities are just vomiting out millions of exercise variations and regurgitating routines. That is not actually helpful. It’s a distraction. Right now people need progression. They need accountability. They need leadership, direction, connection, program, consistency. A template doesn't do that. Another routine doesn't do that. Lots of exercise variations don't do that. People can get in incredible shape with the same 5 exercises consistently performed, and progressively outperformed. Variation is nice. But it quickly becomes a distraction from skill development, health and fitness, and athleticism. A jack of all trades is a master of none.
Real coaches need to step up. Real trainers need to step up. Because the cookie-cutter templates and 30-day sign-up deals never worked for anyone before the pandemic; and they sure as hell aren’t going to cut it while people are struggling with motivation and mindset. The "influencers" who've never worked a day in an actual professional fitness business are the ones gumming up social media news feeds right now. The profiteering large fitness companies are shlepping online challenges and massive "engagement" groups on Facebook. Where's the personal human connection? Where's the listening? Where's the individual focus? Only with real, experienced coaches. So, the real, experienced coaches and trainers need to do what they do best. The marketplace wants and needs it more than ever.