It may surprise you the
number of people that begin a fitness regimen or training program for a
specific goal such as a marathon or triathlon and have no idea what they are
doing why they are doing it. While
exercise is good, understanding why you are doing something will greatly
improve the results.
In order to maximize the
effectiveness of any exercise program, understanding a simple concept in
learning is important. While the traditional model of learning in the education
system has predominately utilized a “push” method of learning – a one way
dissemination of information, to really facilitate learning and maximize the
time and effort you are putting in to training, I recommend adopting a “pull”
focused learning strategy.
What do I mean by a “pull”
learning strategy? That is a good question, literally. A pull strategy is where
a facilitator or independent learning uses good open ended questions to
facilitate learning. Instead of trying to simply remember everything, and then
apply it, you use a series of questions to dig deeper into the information to
gain a better grasp of learning.
For example, if I am learning
about how the body utilizes food for fuel during exercise, instead of simply
reading the information, I will ask myself and others “open-ended” questions
(questions without a yes or no answer) to help me research the material to have
a better understanding of the concept and how to apply that knowledge to my
particular situation.
Using open ended questions in
your exercise program can help you gain more from your efforts and have more
rewarding experience. Here are some examples to get you started.
Ask WHAT are you going to do?
If your goal is to run a marathon, question
why you want to do it and write in detail what it means to you to accomplish
this goal. What training plan will you use? What equipment do you need?
Ask HOW…How are you going to train. How much time do I have to train? How are you going to tackle your training
plan? How are you going to measure the results of your training to make sure
you meet your goal? How are you going to deal with the mental aspects of
rigorous training and racing? How will
you continue to learn and grow towards your goals?
Ask WHERE…..Where is the race
going to be that you want to do? Where
will you conduct your training so you train on a course similar to the race
course? Where will you do your strength training? Where will you work out when
the weather is bad and you can’t be outside?
Ask Who….who will be your support team for moral encouragement? Who will be your trainer? Who will be your medical support?
While these are a few examples,
effective questioning, especially when using who, what, when and how together
for most topics, will stimulate the thought process that will ultimately lead
to research, growth and personal development.
HERE’S TO
BEING FIT FOR LIFE!
Chris is a Certified Personal Trainer, USA
Triathlon Level 1 Coach, Group Exercise Instructor, exercise and endurance
enthusiast. He competes yearly in
numerous running races, marathons, ultra marathons, triathlons and other
endurance events.