Being a trainer and training clients for few decades does give one an opportunity to think about purpose behind why I do what I do. I'm sure that people in different industry may have thought about this too.
For the last few years, I have been working on understanding and actually verbalizing the purpose behind all of the exercise that I give for myself (yes, I workout too), and for my clients.
I call it "verbalization of purpose". It is the process of understanding the reason behind the purpose. This purpose can be your goals, thoughts, relationships, and also movements. In order to verbalize purpose, you will need to be ready to learn and change because your mind will stop when you do not have enough information. Many times I've done this, something that I thought was logical can no longer be logical, which you will need to be ready for.
Lets say I'm doing a squat. Where should my knees and toes pointing towards?
If you say outward, you got it. But why?
In any exercise, you want to maximize the usage of stronger muscles. In case of squat it is gluts and quads. That's not the only muscles you are using, however, these are the primary muscles for the lower extremity.
What are the main function for gluts or gluteus maximus? You can google this but external rotation and extension of the hip joint.
So if the external rotation is one of the main function, does it make sense to turn your hip out where toes and knees are pointing outward instead of straight? Therefore, if you want to maximize the use of gluts during squat or any exercise, your toes and knees should be turned outward.
This is a "verbalization of purpose" for squat form. Of course this is just a part of squat form since we haven't discussed about upper body form.
"Verbalization of purpose" will help you understand whether your mind and action are lined up towards what you are working on accomplishing or not. If your knees and toes are turned inward during squat, you will not be able to maximize the usage of gluts. So it is not in line with what you are working on accomplishing.
Interesting thing is many of the professional athletes are verbalizing their skills and asking questions so they can understand the purpose for each skills and improve them. Soccer players, for example, may be questioning about how many steps should I take before taking a shot in soccer? What distance should I keep between myself and their defender so I won't be at risk of losing the ball?
Is this important or necessary?
Absolutely! If you can answer those questions, then you will have more meaningful practice rather than running 5 miles and agility ladder because your coach said so. And by able to answer those question will help you readjust your skills when things are not going well.
How about goals?
I'm going to use myself as example. My purpose of becoming a personal trainer was because I love training and coaching people and see them improve. That is a reason, however, that is just a tip of the iceberg of true reason.
Up until high school, I wanted to be professional soccer player. I worked hard. Other than going to school, I was kicking the soccer ball and working out pretty much all day but didn't really had an opportunity. Unlike now, information was not easily accessible 20 years ago. Following the passion was not easily accepted by peers.
Purpose of me becoming trainer is to provide result based training to every person so that they have more opportunity to do amazing things in life. Could be high school athlete becoming professional athlete. Could be 70 year old wanting to travel around the world until 90. Could be single mom want to stay in shape and have time for her self.
This is my "verbalization of purpose" for my being a trainer.
What is your purpose? Why are you doing what you are doing? If things are not going well why do you think is not working out for you? Start utilize your brain and start understanding purpose your action and goal. Don't stop your thoughts and don't give up thinking by saying "I don't know". Find out what you do not know. Keep your mind going.
If you are not sure where to start, start with one question about your career. "Why am I doing this?". One question will create a ripple effect and gives you more questions.
Kota Shimada
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