It doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or a beginner, your season of life will affect your training capacity and outcome. Hence, it’s best to have a personal trainer that’s able to assess multiple factors in your life that may make or break your training. 

Reflection and adaptation are key principles that should be applied to your life in and out of the gym. In fact, you’re naturally wired to practice this concept. 

For example, if you’re feeling unwell. You may carefully reflect on what you’ve been eating or doing that has led to this state.  As a result, you can adapt to the situation by adjusting your diet or daily activities. 

This principle is also proven through your priorities over the years. Your younger self may have valued education, your current self may value meaningful relationships, and your future self may value financial wealth.

So how do reflection and adaption apply to your training? 

A mismatch between your seasonal needs and training routine can lead to major setbacks. Therefore, your season of life determines the best approach for training, and lifestyle modifications needed for optimal results. 

If you’re expecting a child, training for a marathon may not be ideal. A better alternative would be pre-natal training, which is geared toward preparing you for childbirth.

 If you’re injured, training for new PRs may cause further damage. Pain management training would be better suited for your recovery. 

If you’re not getting enough sleep, increasing the workload of your workouts may cause systemic stress. A conditioning program for stress relief may serve as a better way to regulate your emotions, ensuring quality sleep. 

To put it simply, there are circumstances in life that may not allow you to achieve certain goals (yet). It’s better to adhere to a training programme with realistic goals that holds space for consistency and enjoyment, which will add value to your unique season of life. 

Here are 2 ways to reflect on your season of life to set clear training goals 

1. What are your current commitments? 

It’s critical to understand which aspects of life take up the majority of your time. For most of us, the main pillars of life are career, education, physical health, relationships, and personal growth. 

Consider which pillar stands out the most and why. For example, if your focus is on your career, your training programme shouldn’t increase your stress levels. Instead, it should help you sustain energy, and focus.  In fact, it should allow you to hold space for other key pillars of your life too!

When it comes to commitment management, it will look different for everyone. This is where confiding in a trusted coach will tremendously help with setting seasonal, realistic goals. 

2. Do your training goals align with your current commitments? 

Your training regimen might be incompatible with your current life obligations. Sometimes, you may not have the physical and mental capacity for certain training programmes, and that’s fine! 

There are many resources available on why and how a programme can be tailored to your specific situation. However, it’s heavy research that most people don’t have time for, which is why we strongly encourage you to consult personal trainers who are equipped to help you manage the complex relationship between your training and seasonal needs.  

Here are 3 ways to adapt your training to your season of life 

1. Adhere to a personalised training programme

When it comes to reflecting and adapting your programme to what’s best for you, your coach should provide empathy and clarity, bridging the gap between your training capabilities and life commitments. The programme should be accompanied by clear expectations, communication, and accountability for long-term changes that will positively impact other areas of your life too. 

At MOVE Private Fitness, we offer a range of training programs. For instance, we have a Body Transformation Program that requires a high level of commitment to partake in strict meal plans and training.

However, if you have other taxing commitments, we would direct you to a Quality of Life Program, whereby the focus is on building consistent behaviors, strength, and conditioning to optimize your energy levels and weight management. 

For every seasonal challenge and opportunity, we have a  personalized program for you. Additionally, you may also mix and match certain programs (with our guidance) to meet your specific needs too. 

2. Honor your season with clear intentions and expectations

After clearly defining your commitments and how your training aligns with them, set your intentions and expectations accordingly. 

For example, in a season when recovery is more important than aesthetics, seek and ground yourself in why recovery is important. Take comfort and joy in the goal of moving pain-free. This will set the way for longevity in your fitness journey, allowing you to achieve your aesthetic goals later on. 

3. Change management goes beyond training 

 Training to change behaviors in nutrition, sleep, mindset, and lifestyle, which are things beyond the four walls of the gym, are key components to reap the best results.

At MOVE Private Fitness, our promise is that our coaches will thoughtfully match your season of life to the right training program, that will make space for deep reflection and adaptability throughout your life and fitness journey.

This will lead you into a rewarding season as well as pave the way for greater breakthroughs in your upcoming seasons. 

Special thanks to our coaches who contributed to the contents of this article:
May Ooi, Peng Hooi, and Danish Ku.

Written by: Esther Ng