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Knowledge of Results - A Key Component of Success, by Matthew Romans

"When feedback is immediate, clear, and concrete, people learn quickly. When feedback is delayed, abstract, and opaque, people rarely learn." - James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.

Giving feedback is a large part of what a Total Results instructor does when he supervises a workout. The feedback we give is always constructive, and it is our mission to provide whatever guidance is necessary to help you achieve optimal results. Naturally, some clients will require more verbal instructions than others. If a client demonstrates proper form, turnaround technique, and a minimum of form discrepancies, we will say as little as necessary during a workout so that we don't create unnecessary distraction. However, in order to maximize skill and achieve maximum physical benefits, the exercise subject must be made aware of how they are performing on a regular basis. A key component of success in any endeavor, whether it is exercise or learning to play golf, is knowledge of your results.

We want to create good habits, and that starts with accountability. Expectations should be made clear from the very beginning, and open communication between client and instructor is paramount. During each workout, however, communication should be mostly a one-way street. The client should say very little unless he or she is asked a direct question by the instructor; this is necessary to maintain the proper pace of the workout and avoid distractions which can blunt the exercise effect and increase the risk of injury. An instructor will occasionally use a cadence count to give the exercise subject a frame of reference for proper speed of movement, and will also immediately correct form discrepancies through the use of subtle verbal cues. This maximizes safety and efficiency, but also informs clients just how well they are performing and what they need to improve. Think of it as being similar to driving a car. When you are driving, you make numerous subtle and instinctive adjustments, such as checking your mirrors, speeding up/slowing down, and turning the wheel ever so slightly to merge or change lanes. The feedback an instructor provides during an exercise session must be administered immediately in order to correct mistakes and positively influence behavior. We learn far more from mistakes than from successes.

The instructor feedback doesn't stop at the end of the workout. It is customary to have a brief post-workout conversation about the client's performance, and let them know what they did well as well as where they can improve. This goes far beyond weight and time under load; the instructor will also apprise them of any concerns they have regarding form discrepancies or any changes to their exercise settings. Exercise subjects are encouraged to ask questions about our methodology and their progress. Regular body composition and circumference measurements are taken and shared with clients, so that there is another measurable marker of success. Cursory check-ins are done before every exercise session, but more in-depth check-ins are held every few months to discuss progress and address any concerns. This is important for the instructor as well, because it is an opportunity to learn more about how to best instruct and motivate that client to reach his or her potential.

It is impossible to improve firearm accuracy without feedback from your shooting instructor or without being able to view the target where you are shooting. A piano student being asked to play a concerto would have very little idea how well or how poorly he or she played without being able to hear (Beethoven being the exception). Knowledge of results is an essential component of success, even when your performance is less than optimal, which happens to all of us on occasion. I'll finish with one more quote from James Clear: "It's better to do less than you hoped than nothing at all. No zero days."

Posted September 01, 2020 by Matthew Romans