If you’re looking to develop yourself as a qualified fitness professional then internships are the way to go. In my opinion those that have accomplished multiple internships have become some of the best personal trainers, sports performance coaches, and/or strength and conditioning coaches around. While text book knowledge is great, if you don’t have practical coaching and training experience, you’re going to have a very difficult time (at least in the beginning).
Practical vs. Knowledge Based Skills
I started my education in sport medicine and wasn’t too fond of it since the basis was about healing rather than strengthening, I then moved on to exercise physiology- that just sucked, it was all researched based and no gym time- FINALLY switched to exercise sports science and that was more my style- we talked about practical application and information that would translate to coaching and training. While kinesiology, anatomy, biomechanics, physics, exercise physiology, exercise prescription etc… gave me a fundamental understanding of the human body, the professors still lacked an understanding about performance training. They understood what the NSCA text has taught them- linear periodization, basic plyometrics, basic fitness technique- but it didn’t go any further than reading. Because of this I kept pestering my friends on the football team about what they were doing in weight-room, they eventually got sick of my questions and just introduced me to Coach Whitten — the strength and conditioning coach at the time. In one conversation with him, I knew I needed to learn more about the “Art of Coaching” rather than learning about lever angles, vector forces, sequence of blood flow through the heart, etc…
Coaching vs. Reading
Back in 2002- I know old man here- I was about 3-4 months into my internship and it was upper max day. My job was to chart the weight and help spot the guys, simple as that. Guys were lifting some big weights, 350lbs+, I wasn’t used to the environment but man was I hyped! When it came time for the lift off, the lifter would take in the biggest breath and PRESSSSS, he’d go through a sticking point, turn bright red, and than I said what no one wants to hear on a maximal lift…. “breatheeee out!”…. just writing this makes me want to punch myself in the face for almost screwing up a guys max. All I was thinking about was the valsava maneuver and how dangerous it can be- at least according to my professors.
While this example maybe outdated by now, it directly shows how practical experience vs. text book knowledge comes into play. My professors, at the time, were focused more on the general population and have never coached or trained an athlete of that level. While it’s somewhat basic knowledge now, but back then the text said to BREATHE OUT during your lifts and not hold in your breath, it’s “dangerous”…
The Skill of Coaching
I’ve talked about this the coaches eye before but it can’t be over stated, developing an eye to spot errors and correct movements on the fly is a true sign of a skilled coach. Yea some people can talk a big game over the internet, but when they apply it in the practical setting it falls to shit. Coaching and training is a skill set that is acquired through PRACTICAL experience.
Ex:
During a sprint session, Coach Boone pulled me a side and had me evaluate a 20meter sprint. One guy after another, and no joke, these guys were FLYING! He asked me what I saw and all I saw was a blur, I just so guys running faster than I’ve ever seen in real life- it was DAMN amazing. Luckily we had dartfish and he was able to breakdown piece by piece what, where, and at one point to look for deficiencies. Yea I’ve read Charlie Francis’ book and dvd’s on sprint training, while informative, it didn’t prepare to actually utilize the knowledge I had and apply it to the guys.
To wrap up this long drawn out post, the above examples are why I believe a QUALITY internship is VERY important. The internship gives you practical experience as a Coach and fundamental knowledge to go with it. While reading and staying informed is important, it means nothing if you can’t apply it.
Stay strong,
Team Fusion Trained
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