By Janine Stichter, PhD (Behaviorist) and Scott Schutte (Coach/Gym Owner)

In recent years, the fitness industry has been opening its doors to an interesting and fruitful arena: behavior science. As gym owners and personal trainers, we understand that the efficacy of a well-structured exercise regime goes beyond its physical components. What truly drives change and progress is a blend of physical and psychological factors, making the inclusion of behavior science an exciting advancement in our field. However, as we delve deeper into this new arena, it's important to ask: are we leveraging behavior science in the best way for our purposes as fitness professionals?

The role of behavior science in fitness is much like the necessity of a well-planned exercise regime. We all agree that exercises, when performed correctly, bring numerous health benefits. Yet, without an effective program design, the benefits can fall significantly short of the goals we set for our clients. Likewise, a smattering of behavior techniques and knowledge gleaned from books and podcasts is a step in the right direction, but it is incomplete without a robust system and process in place.

Motivational interviewing, accountability coaching, and habit coaching have emerged as popular strategies to influence behavior, and rightly so. Yet, without a comprehensive understanding of their nuances, their implementation can be lackluster at best and counterproductive at worst.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a counseling technique. It is a collaborative conversation style that strengthens a person's motivation and commitment to change. This can be a game-changer for clients struggling with motivation. However, the limitation lies in its implementation. It is not simply about asking open-ended questions or providing affirmations. Successful motivational interviewing requires skillful conversational maneuvering, a deep understanding of the client's perspective, and readiness to change. When done incorrectly, it could end up being just another conversation that lacks direction and impact, leaving the client vulnerable and feeling unsupported.

Accountability Coaching

This is another popular approach focused on behavior change. It is designed, to keep clients responsible for their actions. This can provide a necessary push for clients to adhere to their programs. But, the downside is its potential to create an over-reliance on the trainer. Instead of promoting self-efficacy and independence, it could inadvertently cultivate a dependence that may be detrimental in the long run. Accountability coaching must strike a balance between providing support and fostering self-reliance. Additionally, if the only way a client can adhere to a program is having someone prompt them, its a good sign that the program is not a great fit for the person and lifestyle.

Habit Coaching

This approach has gained tremendous popularity, given its promise to make healthy behaviors automatic. However, many trainers approach habit formation superficially, without recognizing its complex underpinnings. Simply advising a client to repeat a behavior until it becomes a habit ignores the intricate process of habit formation. Furthermore, the 'one-size-fits-all' approach often disregards individual differences in habit formation timelines and fails to account for potential barriers.

The enthusiasm of the industry to integrate behavior science is encouraging. And in no way do we want to minimize these efforts. Nevertheless, it's essential to remember that behavior change is not a linear, one-dimensional process. To truly optimize the benefits of behavior science in fitness, there needs to be a system and process in place that takes into account the complexity of human behavior and that is easily executed by coaches in a scalable manner.

So what does behavior science program design look like?

A successful behavioral change strategy must be client-centered, individualized, and multi-dimensional. It should start with a thorough understanding of the client's current behavior patterns, motivations, and potential barriers to change. This should inform the design of a tailored strategy, which is flexible enough to accommodate changes in the client's circumstances and needs.

A robust system and process are necessary to truly reap the benefits of behavior science in fitness. It starts with understanding your client's unique behaviors, motivations, and barriers. This information then informs a tailored, multi-faceted strategy that follows the key tenants of change in a systematic way that creates sustainable change.

Recognizing these complexities, at Healthy Behavior Institute we have taken a leap forward by designing education, systems, and software that maximizes the potential of these behavior science techniques. Our solution allows fitness professionals to incorporate these techniques seamlessly into their practice without the need to become therapists or to practice outside of their scope.

This innovative approach is not just about achieving better results. It is also about transforming behavior science techniques into a valuable addition to your suite of services. In doing so, we provide an opportunity for gym owners and personal trainers to diversify their income while delivering a more comprehensive, results-driven service to their clients.

The integration of behavior science into fitness is not just a passing trend, but a revolution in how we understand and influence the health behaviors of our clients. With our tailored education, systems, and software, we aim to equip fitness professionals with the right tools and knowledge to lead this revolution effectively and responsibly.

The journey towards effectively incorporating behavior science into your practice may be challenging, but the results - empowering clients to achieve their goals and lead healthier lives - will undoubtedly be worth it.

As gym owners and personal trainers, let's not just be excited about the incorporation of behavior science into fitness. Let's take the initiative to learn more, understand deeper, and implement smarter, to truly bring about the transformation that we, and our clients, aspire to achieve. Let's leverage the power of behavior science in fitness to its fullest potential.

In conclusion, the entry of behavior science into fitness is an exciting development. However, much like how a great exercise regime requires more than just performing exercises, leveraging behavior science requires more than just understanding its basics.

You can learn more about behavior coaching and how this can improve your income and impact at www.healthybehaviorinstitute.com.

Janine Stichter & Scott Schutte