Competence 8. Organise, position and supervise projects and programmes promoting sports and exercise
Sports Professionals manage the policy cycle independently with a view to safeguarding and developing the continuity and quality of the sports and exercise options as well as the organisation or sports organisation, and stimulating various target groups into (sustainable and responsible) sports participation.
Since the main services of MIBOSO are delivering training services to clients and I would like to develop myself in the skills this involves as well, Kelly offered me the opportunity to do so. In the beginning of the internship period I had more of assisting role in delivering the services mentioned below. In which Auke van Dijken and Sam Flik took a leading role and let me take over smaller parts of the training sessions.
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Personal training sessions with clients
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Small group training sessions with clients:
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Trx fit
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Urban fit
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Spin fit
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Group of seniors
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Later, I had earned the trust of the team and owners to deliver these services by myself as well. Here I could use the knowledge I gained throughout the educational program of Sport Studies as well as knowledge gained through my minor abroad about the topic of nutrition and coming from personal interest in training and coaching clients towards their personal goals.
The small group training sessions I put together and delivered were TRX fit that makes use of suspension band training, urban fit that a form of indoor/outdoor bootcamp training and spin fit that involves spinning. At first, I observed how Auke van Dijken and Sam Flik delivered these services while taking notes doing so and discussing with them how I should approach the lessons myself. My role in the spin fit lesson was sort of asked for by the situation since one of the trainers had issues considering his knee. To assure this service would still be provided I saw this as a change to develop myself in training and coaching and sustain the quality of business MIBOSO delivers.
Considering the training of seniors was something I took up voluntary, since I have some previous experience in training this target group and this would help to improve my training and coaching skills even more.
The results where lessons of that are in line with the wishes from MIBOSO and clients. Reflecting on my approach I would like to say at first my approach was too much in depth and my instructions were sometimes difficult to follow by the clients. Therefore, in future lessons I used an approach that was more in line with the level of knowledge of the clients. This helped the lessons turning out to be of better quality and with a smoother course.
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My first experience in giving a personal training session at MIBOSO was with a male client using a work out that was created by Sam Flik on the 2nd of October 2018. In this moment I learned that personal training session could be given with more in-depth detail than the small group training sessions settings asks for. So, while giving personal training sessions I could elaborate more on training techniques and be more aware of execution of the client in question.
This insight turned out to be useful in my next interaction with a female client on the 3rd of October 2018. By myself I put together her goals, needs and point of attention before creating a personal work-out program to reach her goals before her deadline of the end of 2018. I used former experiences to create a plan in which so would accomplish her goal of squatting her bodyweight for multiple repetitions. As the picture on the previous page shows her goal was met before the year-end.
So, reaching this goal with her had turned out to be successful in terms of programming and coaching here towards this goal.
During the number of weeks towards reaching her goal, I noticed that training clients aren’t focussed as much in helping them executing the exercises with proper technique. The largest part of helping the client in reaching her goal was on the mental side of being physically active. As a health professional in the personal training industry, it takes a good notice on the emotional state of client during a specific training session. This to change up the training sessions accordingly to the state being.
This mental aspect delivering personal training involves helped me to improve as a health professional in sensing those needs and empathising with the target group of MIBOSO even more which was useful in my graduation project. Since there I had to find out how clients would like to be stimulated towards healthier behaviours which are on the mental aspect.
Reflecting on my development on training clients throughout the year I can state I have developed a lot in this area. With the support of the feedback shown below from the female client in question that my perspective is substantiated. There is still room for improvement in communication Gaining more experience will help to improve myself towards the level that I want to reach. Improvement and development on this area has a great personal interest and I was glad to hear clients noticed this.
‘’I see Arjo as a reliable, calm and empathetic person. He bets during the training sessions or connects with your needs at that time during training sessions. Arjo is open, honest and critical of attitude and technique. He deals with us as a customer in a professional manner and is clear in his communication. You know exactly what you can do with him. He fulfils his agreements and clearly communicates about this. Because of his accessible attitude you can go to him for all types of questions. And if he doesn't know? Then he will sort it out for you. I do not have any points for improvement in the field of professional conduct. Regarding communication, he may follow his own line and plan a little more. He is the trainer! I see that Arjo has been developing strongly in this area lately. I can deduct from this that his (professional) development is of great importance. ‘’
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Another client empowered the feedback that is given above as can be read below. More feedback can be found in the document below. To me personally this does a lot on the emotional level since I have had quite of a rough year. To hear that I can have a positive influence on the health and happiness of clients makes me want to improve my professional skills even more in the future. After reaching level C on this competence of course. One step in this process is going to get a certification in personal training so the skills and knowledge I possess at this moment are getting certified and being developed even more.
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‘’ As a trainer, he motivates people to walk / cycle just a little faster at suitable moments. Because he listens to what customers say and is therefore able to find out what the customer needs, he ensures that customers do different training sessions than they are used to do. Arjo is intrinsically involved in his work and strives for progress and improvement, but above all he is a fun and cheerful person!’’