Coaching Non-Traditional Athletes

Total Learning Time: 4-Hours

The fitness industry is great at catering to young, slender, able bodied men, while everyone else gets pushed to the sidelines.  This workshop will shift the focus to non-traditional athletes and how to attract and coach these clients.  In this context, non-traditional athletes include (but are not limited to): 

  • Plus-Size Athletes

  • LGBTQIA+ Athletes

  • Athletes with Disabilities

  • Athletes working through fitness anxiety and body dysmorphia

PRE-REQUISITES

  • Basic understanding of anatomy, kinesiology or exercise science

  • For NASM, AFAA or ACE credit: current certification

  • Identify and address biases against nontraditional athletes

  • Diversify their client base through inclusive marketing practices

  • Feel more confident creating movement modifications for different bodies

  • Redefine standards of athletic success

This Course Helps Fit Pros To

If you have a physical body, you're an athlete. -Roz The Diva

If you have a physical body, you're an athlete. -Roz The Diva

Take a look inside the Course Curriculum:

  • Welcome (15-Minutes)

    -Introductions

    -Review course objectives

    Lecture & Discussion (45-Minutes)

    -Who is a Non-Traditional Athlete?

    -Complete Workbook Section I

    -Defining Non-Traditional Athletes

    -What inclusivity truly means

    -Unique challenges for these athletes

  • Lecture & Discussion (30-Minutes)

    -Creating inclusive spaces online & in-studio

    -Complete Workbook Section II

    -Social Media & Marketing Materials

    -Merchandise

    -Instructor dDversity

    -Equipment

    Break (15-Minutes)

  • Lecture & Discussion (30-Minutes)

    -Principles of Modifications

    -Definition and purpose of a modification

    -Removing the stigma of modifications

    -Why people don’t want them

    -Lead by example

    -Alternative language

    -Setting modification as the baseline for everyone

    Deconstruct an exercise looking at:

    *Purpose of exercise

    *What muscles are used

    *Enjoyability

    *How an athlete might have trouble executing

    -What elements are functional vs. cosmetic

    Reconstruct a movement with the following considerations:

    Redefine purpose

    Focus on one or two functional movements at a time

    Center the enjoyability

    Alter the cosmetics: speed, height, resistance, posture, external support, range of motion

    Small Group Exercise (60-Minutes)

    -De/Reconstruct Breakout Groups

    Complete Workbook Section III

    In small groups, participants will work with each other to practice customizing as many of the following exercises as time allows: squats, push-ups, planks, pull-ups & rows, burpees, Turkish get ups, lunge with twist, mountain climbers

  • Discussion (30-Minutes)

    -Wrap Up

    -Complete Workbook Section IV

    -Review major concepts

    -How to put this info to use

    -Final observations and questions