Studying resistance and gym supervision can be beneficial for individuals interested in pursuing a career in fitness, personal training, or gym management. Here are several reasons why studying this field can be valuable:
- Expertise in Resistance Training:
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- Understanding the principles of resistance training is essential for designing effective workout programs. Studying resistance training provides knowledge about different types of resistance exercises, proper techniques, and the physiological responses associated with this form of exercise.
- Program Design and Customization:
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- Knowledge in resistance training and gym supervision enables individuals to design tailored workout programs based on clients’ fitness goals, needs, and any specific health considerations or restrictions.
- Client Safety and Injury Prevention:
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- Proper supervision is crucial to ensure clients perform exercises with correct form, reducing the risk of injuries. Studying resistance and gym supervision equips individuals with the skills to create a safe training environment and provide guidance on proper exercise execution.
- Understanding Exercise Physiology:
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- Resistance training is closely linked to exercise physiology. Studying this field helps individuals comprehend how the body responds to resistance exercises, including muscle growth, strength gains, and adaptations in different physiological systems.
- Nutrition and Fitness Programming:
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- A comprehensive education in resistance and gym supervision often includes a focus on nutrition and how it complements fitness programming. This knowledge allows professionals to offer holistic advice to clients aiming for overall health and wellness.
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- Communication is vital in a gym setting, especially between trainers and clients. Studying resistance and gym supervision helps individuals develop effective communication skills, allowing them to explain exercises, motivate clients, and provide constructive feedback.
- Client Motivation and Engagement:
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- Knowing how to keep clients motivated is key to long-term success in the fitness industry. Studying resistance and gym supervision provides insights into motivational strategies, helping trainers engage clients and keep them committed to their fitness goals.
- Business and Management Skills:
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- For those interested in gym supervision, studying this field may include elements of business and management. This knowledge is valuable for individuals aspiring to manage fitness facilities, personal training studios, or even start their own businesses.
- Industry Certification and Recognition:
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- Many fitness professionals seek certifications in resistance training and gym supervision from recognized organizations. These certifications can enhance credibility, attract clients, and open up opportunities for career advancement.
- Stay Updated on Industry Trends:
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- The fitness industry evolves, with new research, equipment, and training techniques emerging regularly. Studying resistance and gym supervision helps individuals stay informed about the latest trends and advancements, ensuring they provide clients with up-to-date and effective training methods.
- Diversity in Career Paths:
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- With a background in resistance and gym supervision, individuals can pursue various career paths, including personal training, group fitness instruction, strength and conditioning coaching, or gym management.
Overall, studying resistance and gym supervision provides a well-rounded education, combining practical skills with theoretical knowledge, to prepare individuals for successful careers in the fitness industry.
Course Content & Structure:
There are 6 lessons in this course:
Types of Resistance Training
- Principles of Resistance Training
- Principles of Exercise; frequency, testing, time, type
- Benefits of Resistance Training
- Types of Resistance Training; Weights, Body Building, Power Lifting, Tubing
- Muscle Contraction
- Isotonic, Concentric, Eccentric, Isokinetic Exercise
- Terminology
- Resistance Training Program Components
- Type of Activity
- Misconceptions about Training
- Major Muscle Groups
Equipment and Applications
- Choosing the Best Training Equipment
- Resistance Training Systems: free weights, pin loaded machines, isokinetic, resistance bands
- Design of Fitness Equipment; Exercise Bikes, Rowing Machines, Treadmills, Step Machines, etc.
- Training Variables: repetitions, sets, duration, workload, intensity, training frequency, work out time, etc.
- Overload and Over training
- Stretching
- Warm Up
- Recovery and Cool Down
- Risk Management
- Posture
- Gym Maintenance
- Health and Safety
- Gym Standards
Understanding Movements
- Flexibility
- Exercises
- Movement and Muscles; how muscles work, Muscle Fibre, Skeletal Muscle Types
- Types of Movement; free active, active assisted, active resisted, relaxed passive, forced passive, etc.
- Types of Muscle Work
- Types of Muscle Contraction
- Physiological Adaptation
- Muscle Tone
Selection of Exercises
- Introduction
- Body Shapes
- Exercises for Different Sports; basketball, football, track and field, etc.
- Problems During Exercise
- Training Response
- Tolerance capacity
- Fatigue
- Recovery
- Training effect (i.e., overcompensation)
- Deterioration (i.e., decay)
- Injury and Ignorance
Developing Training Methods
- Training Principles
- Principles for beginner training; intermediate principles and advanced
- Resistance Training Tips
- Training with Your Own Body Weight
- Use of Resistance Training
Planning a Program
- Mental State for Training
- Risky Clients
- Fitness Goals
- Length of Training Phases (Cycles)
Resistance Training can Achieve a Great Deal when it is Better Understood
Resistance training is used for different reasons. The common uses of resistance training are to increase strength, to increase power, to increase muscle mass and definitions as well as to develop aerobic conditioning.
It isn’t only about building a muscular physique
Strength and balance in muscles is important for holding your body together; keeping bones and tissues in the right places and functioning properly. When some muscles are really weak and others are too strong; bones can more readily go out of alignment, back and neck problems can develop, and a whole range of medical issues can arise.
Often visits to a chiropractor or physiotherapist become necessary because of imbalances in muscles caused by lack of appropriate or balanced exercise.
Muscle Contraction
There are a variety of different ways that muscles may contract, and different types of contraction relate to different types of exercise. It can be valuable to understand these differences, when planning an exercise regime for resistance exercise.
Isotonic
Sometimes called dynamic exercises, these involve moving a constant weight (resistance) over the full motion of movement. It is the most common form of exercise and uses concentric and eccentric contractions. The key is to concentrate on the specific muscles doing the exercise. Correct form is essential. The cheating methods of ‘throwing and swinging the weight’ will do little for muscle development and more for injury.
Details on how isotonic exercises work are covered in books such as The Encyclopaedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Dobbins (1985) (London, Pelham Books).
Concentric
Where a muscle shortens as it contracts e.g. bicep curls (biceps muscle). The upwards phase is known as concentric.
Eccentric
Where a muscle lengthens as it exercised e.g. biceps are eccentrically exercised as the weight is lowered in a biceps curl.
Isokinetic
Isokinetic training involves contraction at maximum tension throughout the full range of movement. In practice this is achieved with a machine called an ergometer which equals force (from the athlete) with a reactive force (from the machine). This is similar to Circuit equipment.
Isometric
Sometimes called static exercises, these involve little movement (but usually no movement) of the limbs however muscles are contracted. It is a lot like trying to push over a building. The disadvantage is that strength is not developed over a full range of movement; however certain sports require this type of strength such as gymnastics, wrestling and martial arts.
Some time ago isometric exercises were considered harmful to the health of many individuals (due to the belief that it causes higher strain on people with weak hearts). Today this form of exercise is seen as a useful adjunct to other traditional isotonic.
Course Aims:
- Identify different types of resistance training, the purpose of each, and explain the misconceptions that are commonly held about training.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of types of resistance training equipment available, its use, care and maintenance and application to training variables and client program needs.
- Recognise correct resistance training form in exercises and apply correct techniques where necessary in demonstrating and instructing.
- Select training methods and programming principles relevant to increasing strength, power, speed, local muscular endurance, cardio vascular endurance and weight loss.
- Outline the training method relevant to increasing strength, cardio vascular efficiency, muscular endurance, physical rehabilitation and programs for sports people.
- Plan and describe elementary circuit or resistance training programs for non risk clients.
What does this course offer me?
- Learn about the different types of resistance training.
- Understand movement, the right equipment to choose and how to exercise.
- Develop training methods.
- A course to benefit you or to help you in your learning to help others.
You can start at any time – you can enrol on Resistance & Gym Supervision today. Study by distance learning with the support and guidance of our expert tutors.