AOM PROGRAM STRATEGY: STAFF TRAINING

This is the 3rd Article in our Collaborative Anti-Obesity Series that review several project & operational planning considerations that need to be addressed/reviewed "before" implementing AOM Customer Support Programs. Today's Topic: Staff Training.

ARTICLE PREFACE

According to the International Obesity Collaborative (IOC), a Global Obesity Advocacy Group, Obesity is a chronic, progressive and relapsing disease, characterized by the presence of abnormal or excess adiposity that impairs health and social well-being.

Obesity increases the risk for a range of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, types of cancer, mental health conditions, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease, fertility, fatty liver disease.

Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to address.

The majority of our Clubs, Studios and Fitness Professionals are not appropriately trained to create, deliver and manage programs that can support customers who are on different stages of managing their weight challenges with AOMs. However, this does not mean that we cannot learn how to do just that.

What Are Obesity Advocacy Support Groups?

Obesity Advocacy Support Groups are organizations that are dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for individuals living with obesity as a chronic disease. ???

They also provide scientifically backed information on obesity as a chronic disease, including treatment options such as lifestyle interventions, anti-obesity medications (AOMs), and bariatric surgery.

In order to increase our understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, we are recommending, as a “Best Practice”, that our Sector establish working relationships with our local Obesity Advocacy Support Groups.

PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS

As a minimum, the following planning assumptions have been identified and should be considered by our readers when reviewing the skill sets that fitness professionals will need to support the needs, wants, goals, and objectives of both AOM customers and non-customers.

The following list of Planning Assumptions is "not" absolute & is “not” all inclusive. But these are designed to continue our AOM Project Management conversation that was started on August 27th and updated on February 15, 2025.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #1: Understand Potential Customer Profiles. ?????????????????

This Assumption consists of 3 interrelated sections: Physiological, Psychological and the Customer-Centric Reactions to their AOMs. These Graphics summarizes these potential conditions in each category.

Depending on these customer-centric profiles, individual reactions to these three profiles may or may not impact program design, exercise selection, and training progression. Regardless, we should be aware of these potential challenges and be prepared to respond and adjust as needed.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #2: Upskill & New Skill Requirements

We use the Yin and Yang Concept as a way to show the critical relationship between Hard (the Science) & Soft (Relationship Building) Skills.

Yin and Yang is a concept in Chinese philosophy that describes two opposing forces that are interconnected and self-perpetuating, forming a whole. One cannot exist without the other.

Because of the unique details in the 3 AOM Customer Profiles that we have identified above, the needs of AOM Customers exceed the competency skill sets that are provided in the Introductory FitPro Certifications.

We can define what these advanced credentials should include based on the available data we have collected and experienced so far. However, these advanced skills will need to evolve as more data is collected, reviewed, and validated.

Our Teams will need to be reskilled, acquire new skills, and upskill as necessary. This process will also involve learning how to work and collaborate with other certified and licensed professionals who are included in the organization’s Professional Customer Support Network.

The Chart below is an example of what a potential Professional Customer Support Network would look like.

After requiring that our Fitness Professionals obtain the appropriate Special Population Specific Credentials from recognized organizations (e.g. NSCA, NESTA, ACE, ISSA, NASM, CIMSPA, etc.), there is still a need to provide additional training that specifically address training AOM Customers.

OPTION #1.

Eric Durak, MSc, developed in 2024 The GLP-1 Exercise Specialist Course. Eric's Course is a training fundamentals primer for Fitness Professionals who are working in the obesity management space. ?

What's also unique about Eric's course is that it will be a dynamic resource document that will evolve as he collects research & outcome data from active AOM Customer Support Programs.

OPTION #2: COLLABORATION With Obesity Advocacy Groups

Partnering with obesity advocacy groups is a game-changer for fitness professionals supporting individuals using AOMs. These groups provide firsthand insights into the physiological, psychological, and emotional challenges faced by AOM users, ensuring trainers understand side effects and metabolic changes for safer, more effective exercise programming.

Beyond expertise, advocacy organizations offer educational resources that train fitness professionals in inclusive coaching approaches, fostering a supportive and stigma-free environment. Programs that integrate advocacy support often see higher adherence rates, as participants feel understood and empowered throughout their fitness journey.

The Chart below is a of teaching/learning resources that are currently available from 2 globally recognized Obesity Advocacy Groups.

Additionally, since advocacy groups are recognized authorities in obesity care, a collaborative relationship will add credibility and trust to our support programs. By working together, we can create customer-centric, science-backed fitness solutions that truly meet the needs of individuals managing obesity.

OPTION #3: Soft Skills

These 2 Graphics below identify the "Soft Skill Sets" that Fitness Professionals should have if we are to be successful in getting AOM Customers to join our Programs, stay in our programs and refer to our programs.

PLANNING ASSUMPTION #4: The Concept of Emotional Intelligence.

In Planning Assumption #3, we introduced the Concept of “Soft Skills” into our Staff Training conversation. We now want to add a more structured framework to this discussion by formally reviewing Emotional Intelligence (aka EQ) into the staff training mix. ?

[The "Q" in EQ stands for "Quotient," reflecting the idea of measuring or assessing emotional intelligence, similar to how IQ measures cognitive intelligence. This abbreviation has become widely accepted as shorthand for emotional intelligence in both academic and popular contexts].

Emotional Intelligence is the “Art” & “Science” of personal and interpersonal effectiveness. It is also the ability to collect and process information, particularly as it evolves the perception, assimilation, understanding and management of emotions.

AOM Customers have gone through various emotional rollercoasters up to the time that they make the decision to do something about their obesity. At that decision point, they may potentially begin a new series of emotional rollercoasters during this new part of their “journey-to-success”.

Our Club/Studio/Facility AOM Support T.E.A.M.s must be properly trained in Emotional Intelligence so that we can optimally support them.

What’s unique about Emotional Intelligence Training is that we must first be able to deal with our own emotions so that we can provide the necessary customer-centric emotional support to AOM Customers.

EQ training will complement our Behavioral Modification training that we had received in our initial Certifications.

With proper EQ training, Fitness Professionals can successfully deliver our Job #1 is to " ……TEACH-INSPIRE-MOTIVATE-EMPOWER…." Our Customers.

ARTICLE RECAP

We believe that one of our biggest opportunities for our success in our AOM Customer Support Programs is the teaching/learning benefits that we can achieve by the collaboration between the Global Health & Fitness Sector & the Global Obesity Advocacy Support Groups.

We call this a "Triple Winner"! The Health & Fitness Sector, The Advocacy Groups & The Customers.

Once again, none of our Operational & Programming Assumptions are absolute. These assumptions are designed to continue the Operational & Programming conversations within the AOM Space in the Global Health & Fitness Sector.

The “Only Absolute” is that there are “No Absolutes”!

As always, please give us your feedback so that we can continually evolve our Think Pieces.

Our next discussion……..The AOM Customer Support Network!

Legal Disclaimer: The information that we provide 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.