WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching is an emerging profession that began in the early 1990’s. It had its roots in applied behavioral science, and the field of corporate training evolved to include one-on-one coaching. Behavioral scientists have shown that one-on-one coaching is among the most effective approaches to helping people make and sustain improvements in their lives. The relationship between a coach and client offers a profound level of support, guidance, and encouragement to making changes, without being judgmental. A coach enables change by focusing on a client’s stated agenda including needs, values, vision, and goals, and helping to bring out his/her personal best.
Today, new coaching specialties have emerged that address a variety of areas including leadership, work/life balance, relationships, and most recently fitness, health, and wellness.
Through thoughtful assessment and inquiry, collaborative problem-solving and goal-setting, and safe, open and honest dialogue, coaches help their clients become clearer on where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there. Clients feel accountable to themselves and their coaches. They make and honor their commitments to reaching their goals, accomplishing more than they believed possible when they began. Coaches provide instruction and mentoring to their clients, and help them set goals, define an action plan, and navigate the path until they reach their goals. Coaches facilitate learning and help clients put the learning into action.
Coaches focus on helping clients find their own answers, rather than just providing the answers. While psychologists and therapists help clients understand how the past is influencing the present, coaches focus on the present and help the client move towards the future.
Clients find that having a coach helps them move to a new place in their lives, and helps them make changes happen. Having a coach is particularly powerful when a client has decided to fully commit to making significant changes in one or more areas of his/her life.
WHAT IS FITNESS COACHING?
A fitness coach combines a systematic coaching process and personal training or fitness instruction to empower clients to develop a fit lifestyle as well as the ability and self-confidence to maintain a fit lifestyle.
A fit lifestyle includes a level of regular physical activity sufficient to:
