Physical Education - From A Physical Trainer Standpoint

As a trained Physical Educator and now a Physical Trainer, I feel that there are similarities and differences between these two professions. These two professions play important roles in the physical, mental, emotional and social development of every individual. The education aspect of each profession holds the key to support the holistic growth of a child to their adult life.

Physical Educator and Physical Trainer

Physical Education is educating an individual through the physical means. It consists of instruction in the development and care of the body ranging from simple calisthenics exercises to a course of study providing training in hygiene, gymnastics, and the performance and management of athletic games. Such developments are progressive and a good physical educator will create lessons that cater to different needs of the child. Furthermore, the inclusion of social emotional learning and some life skills are good components that (for me) are required in a physical education lesson. I would also include certain aspects of self-life experiences and utmost duty of care in the lesson too. The use of varied manipulative will support the learning and help to enhance the development of the individual. Playing of games will definitely support and creates the fun in the lesson. In an any given day, physical educators are faced not only the needs of the children or youths under their charge, they are also required to plan, execute, and evaluate school’s plans and other administrative matters.

As a Physical trainer practitioner, I plan the menu of their clients. In addition, I would acquire and listen to the needs of my clients rather than giving a set menu for everyone. It is also good to hear the client’s stories and challenges while they are undergoing the programme set up for them. For me, I would add some mental strengthening exercises to complete a holistic programme. There is an array of training methodologies at the physical trainer’s disposal. The American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) journal reported these fitness trends for 2021 through a survey. The COVID19 pandemic has definitely made an impact the findings. The top 10 fitness trends are: -

1. Online training

2. Wearable technology

3. Bodyweight training

4. Outdoor activities (in my opinion, please follow health protocols and country’s guidelines)

5. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)

6. Virtual training

7. Exercise is medicine

8. Training with free weights

9. Fitness programme for older adults

10. Personal training

In replacement of administrative duties, a physical trainer (like me) engages people through exercise videos and shares opinions through many social media platforms. It is possible to use readily available household items as equipment for the programme that the client wants.

Similarities of Physical Educator and Physical Trainer

Physical Growth

I believe that both these professions core engagement is to provide physical growth of the people under their charge. The pre-test and post-test of a lesson or a programme will help determine the educator’s and trainer’s success in achieving their objectives. These fundamental movements such as crawling, leaping, jumping, hopping, leaning, running, jogging and walking are basic physical growth of an individual. These skills are essential as it is required in daily undertakings. A physical trainer will use these skills to come out with a suitable programme that can take these skills to another level. The inclusion of games will definitely help to further enhance the gains for both the student and client. For example, a simple hand-eye coordination game will support the reaction time and a good skill to have in our daily life too. (You can never know when a good reaction time will help to prevent a mishap).

Mental Growth

Words like ‘Don’t give up,” “Give your best,” “One more rep,” are some common words use by me as Physical Educator and Physical Trainer. I believe that these words will motivate the individual to face up to the challenge or give their best in completing a set given to them. I am sure too that these words will give them that mental edge to succeed in their life if proper nurtured into them. The pandemic had taught me that the world that we are living is filled with challenges, unpredictability, volatile and ambiguity. The need for mental strength is an added skill required and it is vital that a sound, flexible, and strong mental fortitude are required to face life predicaments. Physical Educators and Physical Trainers alike need to be trained to use their positions to strengthen the mental fitness of the people under their charge.

Use of Manipulative

A physical educator and physical trainer will probably need varied equipment to support them in their classes or workouts. The use of equipment cannot be underestimated as it also lays the foundation of basic handling of everyday tool. For example, an individual’s hand eye coordination while bouncing a ball or throwing and catching a ball is an important skill as it transferable to them while they are taking down notes in a class. For the physical trainer, the need to use of equipment would be the client’s ability to further improve their current state of physical fitness. While it is still possible for an individual to use their body weight to shape and themselves, I do believe the use of manipulative will help to a large extent. The uses of meeting platforms are important tools for both professions due to the constrictions imposed due to COVID19.

Differences of Physical Educator and Physical Trainer

Use of Social Emotional Learning

One of key difference between a physical educator and a physical trainer would be the element of social emotional learning. The components of social emotional learning include: -

1. Self-management

Managing emotions and behaviours to achieve one’s goals

2. Self awareness

Recognising one’s emotions and values as well as one’s strengths and challenges

3. Social awareness

Showing understanding and empathy for others

4. Relationship skills

Forming positive relationships, working in teams and dealing effectively in resolving conflicts

5. Responsible decision making

Making ethical constructive choices about personal and social behavior.

(The Importance of Social Emotional Learning in Children - https://bcchp.org/the-importance-of-social-emotional-learning-in-children/)

At times, a physical trainer (including myself) tends to ‘skip’ this element of training for their client. I believe the inclusion of this element is vital in teaching, as this will have an impact their adult lives too. Perhaps it is a good element to incorporate into my fitness programme to my fellow clients.

Flexibility of Schedule

Another key difference between these two professions would be the flexibility of time. There is a structured time for the physical educators to complete their sharing of knowledge while physical trainers are not really constrained with time. Physical trainers are flexible with their time and open to the varied training methodologies depending on the client’s needs. In addition, there aren’t much administrative duties too. (One of the perks of being a physical trainer, I guess!!) The monitoring of the client’s progress is important and I feel a sense of elation and excitement when they achieve their goals. Physical educators will need to follow a work plan or scheme of work that they need to create. That will definitely be a plus point in the creativity part of the brain. On top of that, there are other administrative duties that need to be undertaken too.

Use of Manipulative – Depends on the equipment and programme

The use of equipment differs between a physical educator and physical trainer. Though, both professions need to use equipment to reach their charge’s goals, the main difference would be on the programme that they are creating.

Take away points

In this pandemic period, even though vaccines might be readily available in some countries, the importance of physical educators and physical trainers could never be undermined. Health experts, doctors and physicians are encouraging everyone to stay safe and healthy. The individual’s health depends on the immunity level. This starts from their physical health that both physical educators and physical trainers are trained and can be relied on. A good physical trainer will develop their client’s mental health too. You need both a good physical educator and a physical trainer to support you and your loved during this period.

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