In 2016 the UK Fitness Industry is worth approximately £4.4 billion. Fitness centre members top over 9 million for the first time ever in the same year. Alongside getting fit in gyms, people are also turning to mobile personal trainers and a competitive online market. There is no shortage of fitness training options. With such crowded market place, establishing a niche has become important for the fitness coach and personal trainer. The fitness industry is home to lots of specialists. They are experts in a particular aspect of fitness and human performance. However, beware of the pitfalls associated with specialisms and expert personal trainers who must be sure of looking at the whole picture when working with clients.
Specialist fitness coaching can improve performance
There are advantages with becoming an expert mobile personal trainer in Fulham who is recognised for their specialist expertise. You can generally charge a higher premium for your time. Specialist trainers are also able to identify, isolate and develop very specific aspects of fitness and performance. They focus upon a specific aspect of fitness or movement more often than your average fitness professional. Take a look at the fitness classes timetable at your local Fulham gym to see sessions devoted to specific aspects of fitness. Check out the back room staff at a professional sports club to see a long list of specialist fitness coaches.
Expert coaches develop high levels of knowledge and experience and can solve specific fitness and performance issues relating to that area. For example, a specialist consultant doctor is often more capable of diagnosing and treating specific medical issues versus a GP doctor. This is because the consultant has more knowledge and expertise in a particular area, whereas the GP has to have a general knowledge across a broad range of medical conditions. The same is true of leading personal trainers in Fulham.
Start with the whole picture
The problem with increasing specificity in fitness training is that it can neglect analysis of movement as a whole. No amount of specialist strength and conditioning support will help if a client has poor basic functional movement patterns. Trying to develop specific aspects of fitness on poor basic movement patterns will have limited impact. This is when personal trainers need to assess and correct whole body functional movement. Functional movement screening should be performed early on when working with a client. Take time to correct movement dysfunction before isolating specific movements. Specialist fitness training and athletic conditioning is then more effective.