PT as we know it could be dying!

After watching a very passionate video by my friend Bobby Cappuccio on Facebook, I was interested to see the positive responses he got from people who already converted to the training of human beings rather than just human bodies. It got me thinking; I wonder if everybody agrees? Surely someone out there took offence and thought, no way! Technology could never replace me! I'm an excellent trainer. I've made people lose lots of weight, and my clients all love me.

In the video, he states some fantastic stats, (for example 95% of businesses that start are finished within one year!) about success and failure and how technology is going to be able to coach people without the need of a one-on-one or group trainer. He talks brilliantly about how, in fact, wearable technology will know more about a person than any trainer ever could. What he does state as a positive though is that there will always be a need for personal communication. The difference being, that although technology can tell someone what to do (think of all the group fitness classes already being taken virtually) and how to do it (there is already technology that can monitor someone’s movement and effort). It cannot create an empathetic space (relationship if you will) for someone to create his or her change. I feel that he is alluding to the days of standing there with your clipboard or pre-determined program are gone. The days of standing there and counting reps are dead! Or at least in the final gasping stages of life. And I for one am looking forward to the wake! The only skill you have as a coach that isn't replicable is that of creating a relationship. Helping someone feels safe enough to set up their own change.

Recently I was reading the Tim Ferriss book "Tools of the Titans." (An excellent read and I highly recommend it). One of the stories that I feel brings Bobby's rant to life and is very pertinent to the fitness industry is the story of BJ Miller (pages 400 - 405). Ferriss describes Miller as ‘an expert in death’ (interesting thing to have on your business card). In his role as a palliative care physician at the University of California and advisor to a Hospice Project, he works with people coming to the end of their lives. Akin to Bobby alluding to the end of the fitness industry as we know it. Miller has had some tremendous struggles in his life. In fact, he became a triple amputee due to an electrical accident in college! He is also responsible for one of the most viewed TED Talks in 2015 titled: "What really matters at the end of life." The reason I gave you all that information is to help you understand where the following quotes from the book are coming from. The life experience behind them and thus the utter power they have in relation to Trainers just training human bodies.

The first quote that made me sit up and think of Bobby's video is this: "we as human beings, as long as we're in this body, are feeling machines. If we're cut off, if our senses are choked off, we are choked off." Let's relate that to fitness. We feel! We react to those feelings. If you do not create an ‘I feel safe' environment, space where people feel safe physically and emotionally, the ‘machine’ will not be a happy place. If you’re cut off, we are choked off! I have lost count of the number of times I have seen a client or potential gym member try and share their wants and needs and the trainer cuts them off to tell their story! We are literally as Miller puts it choking people!

The second quote that I feel is super appropriate to us as fitness professionals and very much supports Bobby's thoughts. Not just in his video but I have heard him say similar things many times in different ways is the following: "I think I've gotten in trouble when I've tried to come with a predetermined idea of advice-giving. Oftentimes, that's not really what's needed. It's more just the camaraderie and bearing witness. So to answer your question, (this answer was given after Tim Ferriss asked a question about resources he would give to someone that is suffering), when I do go into folks' rooms, I'm there, and I'll avail myself to any question they have. But I think most of the power of the visit is just visiting, just being together."

Just being there with no predetermined idea of the advice that you think this person needs. Let them tell their story. Give them an empathetic space to feel safe in and when someone visits you (call that a PT session or group fitness class if you will), avail yourself to any question they have! That way, you should never be replaced by technology.

Chaddy