The acronym ‘S.M.A.R.T’ describes the various attributes that a fitness goal should have to ensure the greatest possible probability of success. The actual adjectives which the acronym stands for differ based on the circumstances:
- Specific: Goals must be clear as well as unambiguous. Vagaries in addition to platitudes have no place in goal setting.
- Measurable: What good is a goal which you can’t measure? Measuring the goals ensures that they have milestones to indicate e their progress.
- Attainable: Goals must be realistic, agreed upon and attainable and not too extreme and out of bounds.
- Relevant: Goals must be relevant, realistic, result orientated to what they want tot to be achieved.
- Time-bound: Goals must have a starting point ending point and a fixed duration.
Whether your client’s goal is to lose weight, gain muscle or just be fit setting S.M.A.R.T goals will give them an edge by keeping them focused and motivated throughout their endeavour. The following is an example of setting fitness goals.
Be specific about your fitness goal
Your client may start with a reasonable goal like ‘I want to lose weight’ but if you actually stop to think about it that goal is not quite specific enough. What amount of weight do they want to lose? When do they want to lose this by?
Make your goal measurable
Measuring your client’s progress of frequent intervals is as important as setting the goal in the first place. This serves a two-fold purpose:
- Firstly the client known pretty quickly whether what they are doing is working or not you guide the client to take corrective action to keep themselves on track.
- However, the greater advantage is the motivation that initial success will give your client: nothing will boost their confidence and morale more than seeing their body change for the better in the mirror every day.
Set attainable goals
Creating reasonable and attainable goals for your clients will propel them to success and keep that motivation factor alive as well. set small, attainable targets and they will be alright because it’s the attaining of small goals that boost their morale and help them aim higher.
Be realistic
Be realistic and ask your client what the chances are that they will stick to any drastic change in behaviour.
Stick to timely goals
Finally, no goal has meaning unless you attach a timeframe to it. By limiting the time your client has to achieve a goal you have a fixed timetable to work with as well as the sense of urgency that will spur you and your client to keep on track.
By using making use of S.M.A.R.T technique of goal setting to your fitness regimen you will notice slow but steady incremental benefits that are bound to raise your moral which will, in turn, enable you to raise your own expectations even higher.
Once you and your client have set S.M.A.R.T goals it is important to set dates t measure and reassess the progress of these goals. This makes the client and personal trainer accountable for the progress and achievement of the goal.
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