Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to promote exercise and incorporate behaviour change strategies into fitness instruction, programming and provision of fitness advice.
This unit applies to personal trainers who work in controlled and uncontrolled environments. These individuals typically work independently with some level of autonomy. Work is performed according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Consolidate understanding of behaviour change strategies. | 1.1 Source and access information on motivation and behaviour change relevant to fitness outcomes. 1.2 Use knowledge of motivation and behaviour change in day-to-day professional practice. 1.3 Discuss/explain how understanding of motivation and behaviour change contribute to client commitment and confidence. 1.4 Use a wide range of motivation and behaviour change relevant to fitness outcomes. |
2. Apply knowledge to own professional practice. | 2.1 Assess ways in which knowledge of motivation and behaviour change may be used, adapted or challenged in instruction and provision of fitness advice. 2.2 Identify current and emerging knowledge of motivation and behaviour change relevant to development of own professional practice. 2.3 Modify approach to fitness programming activities and advice as required. |
3. Maintain and update knowledge of motivation and behaviour change. | 3.1 Identify and use opportunities to update and expand own knowledge of motivation and behaviour change. 3.2 Monitor response to changes made to own professional practice or instruction. 3.3 Continue to adjust own practice to optimise results. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role. This must include period(s) totalling at least three hours comprising at least three different client contact sessions and:
use knowledge of exercise behaviour change strategies to improve own instructional practice to improve exercise adherence of clients:
collect information from each client regarding attitude towards exercise:
belief systems and values
client expectations
coping techniques
social support systems
stage of readiness for change
perceived barriers to exercise participation and adherence
implement behaviour change models
provide guidance relevant to client characteristics
consider personal and situational factors
motivate clients during exercise programs using:
principles of goal setting
arousal control techniques
positive feedback.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
organisational policies and procedures in relation to:
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
confidentiality of client information
ethical considerations
strategies to promote exercise behaviour change:
contracting
prompts
reinforcement
perceived choice
feedback
rewards
self-monitoring
goal setting
social support
decision balance sheet
physical setting
exercise variety
minimised discomfort and injury
group training
enjoyment
periodic fitness and health assessment
progress charts
components of motivation to enable effective assessment of progress:
direction of effort
intensity of effort
persistence of behaviour
role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in exercise behaviour
methods of evaluating self-motivation, self-efficacy and stages of change
personal and situational factors that may affect behaviour and/or exercise adherence:
family, cultural and social situation
habits
lifestyle
personality
self concept
stages of change:
pre-contemplation
contemplation
preparation
action
maintenance
relapse
principles of goal setting:
short, medium and long term goals
SMART goals
outcome, process and performance goals
goal achievement strategies
goal support
evaluation and feedback
recording goals
arousal control techniques:
anxiety management
progressive relaxation
stress management
visualisation
self-talk
common barriers to exercise participation:
perceived versus actual barriers
initial low fitness level
time and access to facilities
self-consciousness in client
methods of collecting information about client’s attitude towards exercise
scope of practice for a personal trainer.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a fitness industry workplace or simulated environment with clients with real or simulated health and fitness goals.
Assessment must ensure access to:
motivation and behaviour change information and resources.
Assessment must ensure use of:
planning and evaluation templates with space to identify improvements to professional practice
client record forms:
appropriate documentation suitable for acquiring client information regarding exercise and lifestyle factors
appropriate documentation for goal setting and monitoring of client progress and changes
clients; these can be:
clients in an industry workplace, or
individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
demonstrate ability to incorporate motivation and behaviour change knowledge into the instruction of sessions, catering for:
beginners, intermediate and advanced participants
improve client exercise adherence and motivate clients within industry realistic timeframes.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisation’s requirements for assessors, and:
have achieved a Diploma of Fitness or above; and
have at least 1 year consecutive post qualification fitness industry experience in the application of the skills and knowledge of the Diploma of Fitness.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | source and comprehend often complex motivation and behaviour change information. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide guidelines and suggestions tailored to client to increase incidental physical activity and adhere to regular exercise program use open and closed probe questioning with clients to: discuss client needs, expectations and goals acquire information about current exercise behaviour, attitude, perceived barriers to exercise and determinants of exercise adherence determine level of motivation, commitment and confidence to make positive fitness changes. |
Problem-solving skills to: | make connections between own practice and conclusions drawn from information about principles of behaviour change. |
Planning and organising skills to: | determine lifestyle modifications and strategies to promote behaviour changes and modifications. |
Sectors
Fitness
Competency Field
Fitness