NLP – The Way Forward for the Fitness Industry

This article was written as part of a series for FitPro Magazine and was first published in 2002.

NLP for the Fitness Industry

The majority of gym users, and personal training clients, are usually looking for a change of some sort. Convention dictates that they are told what to do, that is exercise more and eat less (assuming the change they want is to become slimmer), and if they haven’t been to the gym before they are taught how to use the equipment. Similarly if they don’t know what constitutes a healthy diet they might be given nutritional advice. Only a very small minority of clients employ a personal trainer regularly enough and over a long enough period to ensure the success of this approach. The most a trainer can do in his or her absence is hope that their clients will comply with their instructions. For the majority of people, epitomised by the legions of gym members who never become gym users, it doesn’t seem to be enough. So what is missing? This approach focuses on the client’s behaviour but doesn’t take into account the client’s thoughts or feelings. NLP takes into account how the client feels about themselves.

A Different Way

NLP provides a more integrated, mind-body approach, that allows for who your clients are, and the values and beliefs they hold. Initially NLP will allow you to help clients identify negative thought patterns, such as ‘I am fat’ and change these for more useful patterns that will support the client in pursuit of their goals. You will be able to help your clients understand how their beliefs can help – or hinder – them. Techniques also exist which will help your clients develop belief in themselves and their potential to reach their current fitness goals by having them focus on other areas of their lives where they have enjoyed success.

One of the most powerful techniques that NLP offers is having clients focus on the consequences of carrying on with their current bad habits such as overeating. Such techniques employ more than creative visualisation – they require that the client use all five senses; sight, hearing, touch/feeling, taste and smell. The practitioner asks questions while the client steps into the future experience, in this case negative, such as ‘What can you see, hear and feel’ – experiencing themselves as five stone heavier in all its glory is usually enough to get anybody moving, literally! Then using similar techniques, you can help clients shift their focus from what it is they don’t want in the present, for example, to be overweight, to what it is that they do want – to be slim and healthy. This strategy in itself is proven more successful; focussing on what you don’t want only tends to get you more of it while focussing on a positive outcome is motivating. In this instance the idea is to make the client’s experience of the future state so compelling that they begin to not only move towards it, but to live it now.

What is NLP

NLP is about how we learn everything, from excellent performance to bad habits. It helps people understand, at a practical level; how they and others make sense of the world. It enables people to detect their own learned patterns of thought and behaviour, and where desirable, it has the tools to change, or re-programme, negative patterns with more positive ones. Understanding and using NLP enables people to enhance their confidence and effectiveness in both their personal and professional lives. People become clear about what they want, solve ‘problems’, use time more effectively and achieve their goals. As such, NLP is used widely and with outstanding results in a diverse range of fields.

Further Reading

• Cohen, Pete and Cummins, Sten, Habit Busting, Thorsons 2002
• Cohen, Pete and Verity, Judith, Lighten Up, Random House 2001
• Dilts, Robert, Hallbom, Tim, and Smith, Suzi, Beliefs :Pathways to Health and Well-being, Metamorphous Press, 1990
• McDermott, Ian, and O’Connor, Joseph, NLP and Health, Thorsons, 1996
• McDermott, Ian and Jago, Wendy, The NLP Coach, Piatkus, 2001