• If your client is very time-poor and struggles to attend all training
sessions assigned each week, then his or her lifestyle is not
suitable for living like an athlete; without the required training, a
satisfactory performance in competition is unachievable.
Note that some of these red flags do not necessarily mean that you
should deny your client the right to compete; rather they indicate that
you need to have an in-depth conversation with your client. You need
to ensure that he or she has considered their all-round health and
wellbeing, and you need to collect all of the necessary information
to decide together whether or not competing in powerlifting or
bodybuilding is appropriate.
If your client is adamant about competing, but you think that this is
an unsafe or unethical decision, you will need to stand your ground,
even if it means you risk losing the client. It is more important to do
what is right by the safety of your client than to hold onto business.
This protects your professional integrity and demonstrates to your
client that their safety is of paramount importance to you, which
in the long run is a great attribute to offer to individuals and to the
industry as a whole.
If there are no red flags, or if you are able to have a conversation
about any potential risks and arrive at the conclusion that competing is
the right decision for your client, then it’s time to get to work! This may
mean that your client has some extra homework to do, or may require
a long preparation phase in order to minimise risks. Depending upon
the individual, make a decision on what (if
any) initial changes or extra work needs to be
put into place to ensure that your client is able
to achieve his or her goal safely and in a way
that maximises both their competitive edge
and enjoyment of becoming an athlete.
Susy Natal is a Sydney-based performance
coach, wellness writer and personal trainer with a
background in psychology. She works with a varied
clientele, from beginners through to competing
athletes across multiple sports. susynatal.com
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