AOM Customer Series: "Programming"

Now that Bob Esquerre & I have published our Anti-obesity Medication (AOM) Support Program Overview "Think Piece", we will start to dive into various operational components of a potentially successful AOM Business Strategy. As we have consistently mentioned, the AOM Program is about the Customer.

As a minimum, the following Planning Assumptions have been identified that should be considered by our Readers when we develop & launch Programming Options that support the goals & objectives of both AOM Customers & Non-Customers. This list is "not" absolute but is designed to start the AOM programming conversation.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #1: PRIMARY PROGRAMMING OBJECTIVE ?????????????????????????????????

All programming options must be Customer-Centric in their focus & outcomes. The Customer-Centric Program Design Process will be driven by a branded Customer Assessment (CA). The CA will consist of input from 2 sources of information:

Source #1. After receiving the appropriate release from the Customers, the Program will request input from the members of the Customer's Support Network as and when needed.

Source #2: This will consist of input that is obtained from the Customer by their assigned Fitness Professionals. This customer provided information will enable Fitness Professionals to create initial Physiological & Psychological Profiles, with collaborative support from the Support Network, for each customer.

This data will be consolidated and be used to create (1) a "Readiness-to-Start-Profile" for each Customer and (2) determine each customer's starting point in the AOM Physical Continuum: Movement, Activity or Exercise.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #2: PERIODIZATION CONCEPT ??????????????????????????????????????

Based on our collective experiences, we recommend that AOM Support Programs utilize various components of the Periodization Concept to support our program design options.

For those readers who may not be familiar with this Concept, Periodization is a systematic approach to training that involves dividing a training program into distinct periods or phases, each with specific goals and strategies. This concept is widely used in sports, fitness, and rehabilitation to optimize performance, prevent overtraining, and promote long-term progress. 1 (The full explanation of Periodization is beyond the scope of this Article. We will send additional details on the Periodization Concept via email upon request.)

In our AOM Support Model, customer-centric programming will be built around, as a minimum, 3 Programming Blocks-of-Microcycles: 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks & 12 Weeks. These Customer-Centric Programming Blocks will have short-term goals that support the short-term needs, goals, wants and objectives of each Customer.

These short-term outcomes will result in short-term wins that will eventually build to support each customer’s mid-term & eventual long-term needs, wants, goals & objectives.

The programming options will be flexible and customized so that they can support the Customers in any part of their Wellness Journey.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #3: "ONE-SIZE-DOES-NOT-FIT-ALL"

During the branded Customer On-Boarding Process, the Club/Studio Fitness Professionals or in the case that Fitness Professionals have their own AOM Support Businesses, will utilize input from each Customer and from the members of the Customer's External AOM Support Network, if needed, to create an initial "Programming-Roadmap-to-Success".

This Roadmap will be divided into the appropriate Periodization Phases: Initial/Short Term (Microcycle); Mid-Term (Mesocycle) and Long Term (Macrocycle). Each flexible stage will consist of Customer-Centric Micro Cycles that are built on the outcomes from each previous Micro Cycles. The Graphic below illustrates the Roadmap Potential for each customer.

Each Stage will have specific goals, objectives that will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #4: THE FITT PRINCIPLE

The FITT Principle (Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type) is a valuable recognized training guideline for designing exercise programs based on individual needs and goals.

When an individual is taking anti-obesity medications, the FITT Principle may need to be adjusted to account for the physiological, psychological, and behavioral effects of the medication. These customer-centric adjustments can ensure a safe and effective approach in improving overall health & wellbeing. 2 (The full explanation of the FITT Principle is beyond the scope of this Article. We will send additional details on the Periodization Concept via email upon request).

A FEW POTENTIAL FITT PRINCIPAL CHALLENGES: Frequency (How Often A Customer Exercises): Impact: Anti-obesity medications may reduce energy levels, appetite, or motivation, potentially influencing how often an individual feels capable of exercising.

Intensity (How Hard a Customer Exercises): Impact: Some medications may cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, or reduced energy, which can limit the intensity of exercise.The programming options should be flexible, customized training progressions so that they can support the Customers in any part of their Wellness Journey.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #5: PROGRAM DELIVERY OPTIONS

The programming options, depending on your facilities, could be deliverable in the following formats: (a) One-on-One Training; (b) Two-on-One Training; (c) Small Group (3 to 7) Training; (d) Large Group (8-15+) Training; (e) Group Exercise Classes: Land Based; and (f) Group Exercise Classes-Aquatic Based, if Available.

For those Readers who are not familiar with the world of Aquatics Programming, we have included a Sample Programming GRID below. Ann Gilbert has been using Aquatics Programming for 30+ years as a successful training & transition protocol to get Inactive Women Active. Once her Customers are comfortable from both a physiological & psychological perspective, Ann would create a transition plan that would get them all Active onto Land-based Programming.

The outcomes from each programming option must support each Customer's goals and objectives.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #6: VALUE OF COMMUNITY & CAMARDERIE

Whenever & wherever possible, Small Group Training options will be utilized as a teaching/training/inspiring/empowering technique that will stimulate a sense of an authentic & an inclusive sense of community.

The sense of belonging to a like-minded & supportive community will reinforce camaraderie, accountability, a sense of a safe place, both physiologically and psychologically.

For those Readers who are not familiar with the world of Aquatics Programming, we have included a Sample Programming GRID below. Ann Gilbert has been using Aquatics Programming for 30+ years as a successful training & transition protocol to get Inactive Women Active. Once her Customers are comfortable from both a physiological & psychological perspective, Ann would create a transition plan that would get them all Active onto Land-based Programming.

The outcomes from each programming option must support each Customer's goals and objectives.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #7: THE ROLE OF FITNESS PROFESSIONALS

All AOM Movement/Activity/Exercise Programming Options will be delivered by Fitness Professionals who are (1) trained & recruited as Coaches?who will (2) support AOM Customer Goals & Objectives.

FINAL NOTES: ?Again, none of these Planning Assumptions are absolute. Our "Think Pieces" are designed to keep our collaborative operational & programming conversations on track.

As additional feedback & research becomes available, adjustments will be made accordingly.

Our final thoughts to our Readers……..If your current Operations & Programs can support the unique needs of AOM Customers, Great.

If not, are you prepared to “rethink” what you currently do so that we can collectively successfully support each AOM Customer?

As always, we want your feedback on each "Think Piece so we can continue o evolve our discussions.

The Only Absolute is that there are No Absolutes!

Our next discussion……..Staff Training!

1 2(If anyone would like more details about the Periodization Concept or the FITT Principle, please reach out to either one of us).

Legal Disclaimer: The information that Ann & I are providing is for educational, operational & programming purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Our intention is to provide customer-centric operational & programming support for AOM Customers.

Ann Gilbert: Club Owner/Operator, Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator & Author. Creating Health & Fitness Sector Programming Solutions for Active & Inactive Agers Since 1983.

Bob Esquerre: Business Growth Strategist & Operations Analyst: Health & Fitness Sector Hybrid FitPro, Coach, Speaker, Educator, Author. Creating?Health & Fitness Sector Business Solutions Since 1993.PLANNING ASSUMPTION #5: While all parts of the AOM Customer Support Network is important, nutritional guidance & support will have the most impact on the success &/or failure of the AOM Customer.