Sport specific training is one of my favorite types of training. Most anyone can do it and with a bit of planning, any fitness center can offer it. It’s pretty easy to get started. And, it helps people achieve their specific goals, which keeps members motivated and coming back for more.
Defining the approach
Fitness and performance training designed specifically for athletic performance enhancement typically focuses on strength, speed, power, endurance, mobility, flexibility, agility, nutrition, mental training, recovery techniques and exercises for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
With such a far-reaching scope, there is something on that list almost anyone in your club wants to improve upon, and there’s probably something on there to encourage a new member to join, too. They just might not think of what they want to do as “sport specific.”
It’s all functional
Sport specific training helps athletes improve in the areas that make them better at their sport of choice. But every sport — from basketball and baseball to boxing and soccer — relies on natural body movements, making sport specific training a form of functional training. And we all know that functional training is one of the best ways to build the muscles we use in everyday life, making this type of training ideal for athletes, exercisers and anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.
Easy to get started
All sport specific training begins with general training, so both the club and the exerciser can get started by using existing fitness equipment like cable-based strength machines, treadmills, rowers, indoor cycles and of course, everything in your functional area like balls, bands and kettlebells.
Clubs need to make sure their personal trainers are equipped to offer sport or skill specific training options. Primarily, it’s a safety issue, but each sport has its own unique movements and requirements for maximum improvement, too.
There also needs to be a constant balance of general training and sport specific training to improve overall fitness and biomechanics.
For example, a basketball player looking to improve their vertical jump would start with a body weight squat before moving on to a weighted stationary squat, something considered “general training.” Finally, they’d work towards a sport specific skill like a jump squat. The average exerciser can use this same progression to improve their core and leg strength — and their vertical jump, too.
Promotion
Once you have the staff in place, it’s time to promote the classes. Whether you offer small group or one-on-one training, start with an introductory session to demonstrate the benefits of sport specific training for both the athlete and the average gym-goer. While there is value for both, neither may realize just how much is in it for them.
Keep them motivated
Sport specific training helps athletes perfect their sport, improve in the skills and measurables that matter most and train the muscles specific to their discipline. Because it’s so specific, results can be more noticeable than general training alone, which helps to motivate each client.
Because the athlete is focusing on their sport and the average exerciser is doing something fun and out of the norm, they are more motivated to come back.
Incorporate boxing or MMA, functional training with tires, sledgehammers and battle ropes, or sport specific options like golf or youth sports to really amp up the motivation level. Try offering classes around the local sports seasons to complement the work already being done with the team.
Athletes will see the results on the field and exercisers will see the results in their overall fitness. Trainers will get an influx of new clients. And club operators will have better retention, improved employee satisfaction and a packed club with motivated members.
Sonja Friend-Uhl is a Lead Master Trainer for Star Trac and a certified personal trainer. Sonja is also a club operator and businesswoman, having developed and coached fitness and personal training programs while serving as the athletic director for The Athletic Club at Weston and The Athletic Club Boca Raton. She can be reached at 877.782.7872 or sfrienduhl@startrac.com.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
