There is no doubt that becoming a personal trainer can change someone’s life forever. By being a mentor, personal trainers develop a deep connection with clients, helping them reach their physical goals and becoming healthier in the process.
However, there is another side of personal training that is often overlooked – the power of improved mental health.
Across the country, tens of thousands of Australians struggle with mental health, whether as the result of an injury, event or the circumstances of their life. More than two in five Australians (42.9 per cent) aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, with one in five Australians (21.5 per cent) experiencing a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, according to findings released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
As a support person, personal trainers become an important part of their client’s lives – providing an outlet for change and in the long term, enhancing their own mental outlook.
The link between exercise and mental health
It is vital for personal trainers to remember that every mental illness is different and it also varies from person to person. As such, the benefits of exercise may work straightaway or take some time to manifest. In any case, it’s vital to take mental health illnesses seriously and design training programs and exercises around what makes your client the most comfortable.
- People who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.
- Exercise is important for people with mental illness – it not only boosts our mood, concentration and alertness, but improves our cardiovascular and overall physical health.
- Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous, structured or take a long time to have benefits.
- Any exercise is better than none, but experts recommend adults should be active most days, aiming for a total of 2.5-5 hours of moderate physical activity, or 1.25-2.5 hours of vigorous physical activity per week.
Personal trainers can play a critical role in helping clients with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental illnesses, and is something that many of us will feel at some time during our lives. With exercise playing a critical role in decreasing the effects of anxiety, personal trainers need to know that their efforts contribute to something wider than physical changes, it can promote a healthier way of thinking, and therefore living.
Working with those with mental illness
As mentioned earlier, it isn’t always easy to identify mental illness. This means that personal trainers may work with someone that doesn’t disclose their condition, is undiagnosed or keeps it hidden from public view.
Personal trainers may work with someone that doesn’t disclosure their condition or keeps it hidden from public view.
If they are open about their mental health and explain their history of anxiety or depression etc., it is vital that personal trainers treat them with the same care and respect as any other client. However, as a personal trainer is a key part of their support group, there is a number of positive communications elements that can help their development.
According to Health Direct Australia, communication is key.
The authority states that “communication can be a struggle” for those that experience mental health disorders and while some want to engage, others may have trouble expressing feelings and opinions.
As such, personal trainers must keep up positive reinforcement and discuss progress and programs with their clients on a regular basis. Exercise may not have been the first course of treatment for someone with a mental illness which means that they will want to know how they are doing.
While personal trainers need to motivate their clients, it is also important to understand limits and whether this form of exercise is having the desired effect. This highlights the significance of goal setting and developing clear objectives at the start.
For more information on anxiety and depression please visit: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
Personal training – a life changing occupation
Helping people become healthier isn’t all about the muscle. The concept of well-being is so much more and can have a dramatic impact on the emotional side of human existence.
If you would like to learn the art of personal training, contact the team at Australian Fitness Academy today.
References:
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/two-five-australians-have-experienced-mental-disorder
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health
