"There is no perfect program, there is no perfect exercise, there are only the client and the professional who follows him" (Busin et al., 2004). And 'This is the outcome of the International Sports Sciences Association of Philosophy, better known as ISSA, a leading association in the formation of Personal Fitness Trainers. Philosophy that focuses attention on two well-defined entities, the client and the "professional", but who is this professional? Who is the fitness instructor in general and what is its role in the environment where it acts?
There is an endless literature on the customer, like him loyal, how to communicate with him, what to say, what to do, and the instructor as it is, what does it do? How motivated is as pleased with his work, why does this work, what drives him, is the instructor for gratification, a passion for educating others, to feel 'someone' or 'appear' someone?
The world of fitness in Italy is constantly evolving and has grown in recent years, perhaps, a bit 'too fast, creating the inevitable confusion that characterizes the activities that do not yet have a clear professional identity, typical of everything that grows quickly without legislation will protect both the user and the professional in terms of health and the safety (Adams, P., 2002/06).
Only in the early 90s takes shape 'fitness', thanks to the collaboration between history, sports doctors, nutritionists and psychologists who are placed in numerous federations and associations, mostly autonomous, whose main purpose 'should' be training of trainers (FIAeF, 2002). In the past the activities practiced were mostly sports uncoded taught by unqualified instructors who faces more than the appearance of being, with a typically narcissistic attitude.
The term narcissism is derived from Narcissus, the young man who according to Greek mythology fell in love with his reflection in a spring. In its normal form, narcissism is the love we feel for ourselves, our person (Sica, 2001). All good, until it borders on the pathological and becomes an anomaly in which the subject manifests an excess of admiration towards himself (Sica, 2001). The narcissist shows a strong conviction of its importance and to be 'unique', unique, supreme, perfect. The subject always exaggerates his achievements, the results obtained, their skills and points out just how special his problems; has the merit of his success, luck has nothing to do. It is still fairly easy to get into any gym and see the instructor and some customer-pose and "pose 'in front of the mirror, contemplating his own physicality. At this point one wonders how an instructor too full of himself to meet the needs of a typical customer, who often feels the need to be understood, together, listened to before being 'trained'.
Up until very recently in Physical Education, teacher training institutes deputies physical education, fitness was not covered except in an experimental and outside programs. Only a few years, as part of university courses in Science, are introduced and organized courses, masters and 'amnesty' to remedy at least in part to the great confusion that reigns in fitness centers in Italy.
The occupation of fitness instructor has suffered in recent years a series of transformations is related to the evolution of the various related activities, both to the many scientific advances that have occurred in the disciplines which study the human system in the learning situation, such as psychology and pedagogy.
Until a few years ago the role of the instructor was assigned to a person who had practiced as a sport to a level acceptable and which declared itself ready to teach the fundamental movements that characterize this or that discipline (Buck, 1996). Currently, the teacher should be concerned to study the process of teaching and behavior of its parts, in a scientific and systematic, in order to identify factors that facilitate and remove those that hinder. The trainer is not simply asked to convey his knowledge and skills, but also to educate, organize, collaborate and, above all, motivate choosing the moment to moment what is best for the client or client group (Deer, FIN, 1996) .
In order to successfully undertake this role are objectively necessary to the special qualities of availability, flexibility and understanding is not separated by a highly motivated continuous updating in order to improve their level of skill and knowledge (Buck, 1996).
Teaching means "being in continuous relationship with other people and systematic" (Bonifazi M. et al., 1996) and therefore relate to a set of situations that change in directions that are not always the instructor is able to guide or control, regardless of the his good intentions, even the best practitioner is to carry out its activities in personal psychological situations are not ideal and in any case must carry out his work. And 'perhaps in these critical situations that reveals the deep personality of the instructor than the ability to perform their jobs well. The true professional sees, feels and perceives its role, or that set of values, attitudes, opinions, behaviors that constitute the prototype of good professional, what is certain is that one can not but be aware of their own philosophy of teaching , it is simple and straightforward or very complex and, or, why not copied from some teacher success.
It is believed that the first skill required of a fitness instructor-and-not only is that of having practiced for a certain period of time, to an acceptable level, that specific discipline. "Period of time 'we' accept 'the 36 months that are required for example to an instructor to attend a refresher course, college (cf. Decr. Rett. Univ Genoa, n. 2736 of 25.05.2006) , the statement "acceptable level" is unfortunately difficult to codify and not just have to stick to common sense and the ability to self-criticism of the instructor himself. It is considered necessary to have experienced first hand the various stages of the learning process, from initial to final, in order to better convey the necessary technical steps to overcome the most difficult and complicated, and understand the feelings that are trying our customer when he is performing a certain exercise or a specific type of training.
REFERENCES
1. P. Adams, "The Fitness in Italy? A world without rules ..", press office FIAeF, Rome, 2006.
2. P. Adams, "The faces of fitness, including history, movement, health and economy," University of Rome-Tor Vergata University, Master in "Economics and management of sport", 2006.
3. Bonifazi M. et al., "Handbook for Educational Training of Instructors of 1 ° and 2 ° level", the Italian Swimming Federation, 1996.
4. Cerri U., "How is it perceived the figure of the Personal Trainer" by Fitness & Sports, published by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, n. 1, 2005.
5. A. Deer, "Elements of psychology and pedagogy courses for coaches of 1 ° and 2 ° level", prepared by the Technical Education Sector of the Italian Swimming Federation, 1996.
6. Decree of the President of the Regional Council on 11 February 2003, n. 4, "technical standards, sanitary and safety facilities and equipment for the exercise of gymnastic activities, the bodybuilding, physical education and physical activities for seniors, pursuant to art. LR 5 of 29 / 02/2002, n. 6 ".
7. Board Resolution No. Reg. 1727 of 23/12/2005.
8. Musumarra L. et al., "The discipline of motor sport and in Europe: the protection of the consumer between sports law, state and community," adapted from the European Project "Sure Gyms", available at www.palestresicure.net
9. Sica L. "Narcissism tics of the masses", The Independent,
There is an endless literature on the customer, like him loyal, how to communicate with him, what to say, what to do, and the instructor as it is, what does it do? How motivated is as pleased with his work, why does this work, what drives him, is the instructor for gratification, a passion for educating others, to feel 'someone' or 'appear' someone?
The world of fitness in Italy is constantly evolving and has grown in recent years, perhaps, a bit 'too fast, creating the inevitable confusion that characterizes the activities that do not yet have a clear professional identity, typical of everything that grows quickly without legislation will protect both the user and the professional in terms of health and the safety (Adams, P., 2002/06).
Only in the early 90s takes shape 'fitness', thanks to the collaboration between history, sports doctors, nutritionists and psychologists who are placed in numerous federations and associations, mostly autonomous, whose main purpose 'should' be training of trainers (FIAeF, 2002). In the past the activities practiced were mostly sports uncoded taught by unqualified instructors who faces more than the appearance of being, with a typically narcissistic attitude.
The term narcissism is derived from Narcissus, the young man who according to Greek mythology fell in love with his reflection in a spring. In its normal form, narcissism is the love we feel for ourselves, our person (Sica, 2001). All good, until it borders on the pathological and becomes an anomaly in which the subject manifests an excess of admiration towards himself (Sica, 2001). The narcissist shows a strong conviction of its importance and to be 'unique', unique, supreme, perfect. The subject always exaggerates his achievements, the results obtained, their skills and points out just how special his problems; has the merit of his success, luck has nothing to do. It is still fairly easy to get into any gym and see the instructor and some customer-pose and "pose 'in front of the mirror, contemplating his own physicality. At this point one wonders how an instructor too full of himself to meet the needs of a typical customer, who often feels the need to be understood, together, listened to before being 'trained'.
Up until very recently in Physical Education, teacher training institutes deputies physical education, fitness was not covered except in an experimental and outside programs. Only a few years, as part of university courses in Science, are introduced and organized courses, masters and 'amnesty' to remedy at least in part to the great confusion that reigns in fitness centers in Italy.
The occupation of fitness instructor has suffered in recent years a series of transformations is related to the evolution of the various related activities, both to the many scientific advances that have occurred in the disciplines which study the human system in the learning situation, such as psychology and pedagogy.
Until a few years ago the role of the instructor was assigned to a person who had practiced as a sport to a level acceptable and which declared itself ready to teach the fundamental movements that characterize this or that discipline (Buck, 1996). Currently, the teacher should be concerned to study the process of teaching and behavior of its parts, in a scientific and systematic, in order to identify factors that facilitate and remove those that hinder. The trainer is not simply asked to convey his knowledge and skills, but also to educate, organize, collaborate and, above all, motivate choosing the moment to moment what is best for the client or client group (Deer, FIN, 1996) .
In order to successfully undertake this role are objectively necessary to the special qualities of availability, flexibility and understanding is not separated by a highly motivated continuous updating in order to improve their level of skill and knowledge (Buck, 1996).
Teaching means "being in continuous relationship with other people and systematic" (Bonifazi M. et al., 1996) and therefore relate to a set of situations that change in directions that are not always the instructor is able to guide or control, regardless of the his good intentions, even the best practitioner is to carry out its activities in personal psychological situations are not ideal and in any case must carry out his work. And 'perhaps in these critical situations that reveals the deep personality of the instructor than the ability to perform their jobs well. The true professional sees, feels and perceives its role, or that set of values, attitudes, opinions, behaviors that constitute the prototype of good professional, what is certain is that one can not but be aware of their own philosophy of teaching , it is simple and straightforward or very complex and, or, why not copied from some teacher success.
It is believed that the first skill required of a fitness instructor-and-not only is that of having practiced for a certain period of time, to an acceptable level, that specific discipline. "Period of time 'we' accept 'the 36 months that are required for example to an instructor to attend a refresher course, college (cf. Decr. Rett. Univ Genoa, n. 2736 of 25.05.2006) , the statement "acceptable level" is unfortunately difficult to codify and not just have to stick to common sense and the ability to self-criticism of the instructor himself. It is considered necessary to have experienced first hand the various stages of the learning process, from initial to final, in order to better convey the necessary technical steps to overcome the most difficult and complicated, and understand the feelings that are trying our customer when he is performing a certain exercise or a specific type of training.
REFERENCES
1. P. Adams, "The Fitness in Italy? A world without rules ..", press office FIAeF, Rome, 2006.
2. P. Adams, "The faces of fitness, including history, movement, health and economy," University of Rome-Tor Vergata University, Master in "Economics and management of sport", 2006.
3. Bonifazi M. et al., "Handbook for Educational Training of Instructors of 1 ° and 2 ° level", the Italian Swimming Federation, 1996.
4. Cerri U., "How is it perceived the figure of the Personal Trainer" by Fitness & Sports, published by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan, n. 1, 2005.
5. A. Deer, "Elements of psychology and pedagogy courses for coaches of 1 ° and 2 ° level", prepared by the Technical Education Sector of the Italian Swimming Federation, 1996.
6. Decree of the President of the Regional Council on 11 February 2003, n. 4, "technical standards, sanitary and safety facilities and equipment for the exercise of gymnastic activities, the bodybuilding, physical education and physical activities for seniors, pursuant to art. LR 5 of 29 / 02/2002, n. 6 ".
7. Board Resolution No. Reg. 1727 of 23/12/2005.
8. Musumarra L. et al., "The discipline of motor sport and in Europe: the protection of the consumer between sports law, state and community," adapted from the European Project "Sure Gyms", available at www.palestresicure.net
9. Sica L. "Narcissism tics of the masses", The Independent,
Good information. I agree with your thoughts.Hiring a personal instructor is one of THE best investments one can make.
ReplyDeletePersonal Training Albert Park