Introduction:
Many of our journeys with fitness began when we were quite young and participated in youth programming. We continued participating in organized athletics, often sacrificing our overall physical development. Regardless of the sport—whether it was basketball, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, swimming, or running—hyperfocusing on just one or a couple of activities limited our growth and often caused injuries.
The repetitive nature of sport-specific training left me with overuse injuries and underdeveloped foundational strength. I knew I needed to expand my training beyond basketball, but I wasn’t certain where to start.
At some point, like me, we all find ourselves in the position of needing to make the transition from well-defined, competitive environments to the autonomy of being responsible for our personal fitness. Monarch Fitness Coaching’s personal trainers supported me through the transition, and are the primary reason why I became a personal trainer. Monarch Fitness Coaching is here to support you as well.
Are You Feeling Burnt Out?
While pursuing athletic excellence, the relentless demand for peak performance can often lead athletes down a path of burnout and injury. Sports-specific training’s intense focus on mastering particular skills and excelling in a singular area builds an environment of constant pressure and a “go! go! go!” mentality. Overtraining, insufficient recovery, and a narrow focus on specific muscle groups can result in burnout, decreased performance, and muscle imbalances leading to higher risk of injuries. The very intensity that initially propelled one to success can become a double-edged sword in which progress becomes limited and burnout is inevitable.
At Monarch Fitness Coaching, our personal trainers understand the toll that sports-specific training can take on your body and mind. Our personal trainers are here to help you recover from burnout.
Trin, age group 20–24, participated in competitive dance. They often danced 20 hours a week and absolutely loved the sport; however, sophomore year of high school, they started experiencing burnout and noticed that they were becoming frequently injured. Trin sought the guidance of the personal trainers at Monarch Fitness Coaching and made the transition from the intensity of dance sports-specific training towards a more balanced approach to fitness and life. Seven years after they began personal training with Monarch Fitness Coaching, Trin became a personal trainer.
Read more about Trin HERE.
Has Sport Specific Training Left You Wondering What’s Next?
After having spent the majority of your time focused on how to make yourself better at your sport, at some point your goals change, and you want to pursue other interests. Often it is challenging to determine what you should do next. How many days a week should you train? Should you lift weights? Focus on cardio or take a Pilates class? Have a combination of different types of workouts? And what about your knee? It hurts when you lift and walk. Should you take a break from those activities?
Monarch Fitness Coaching’s personal trainers support you while you make the transition from focusing on peak athletic performance to focusing on training for life. We can help you learn to take a holistic approach and learn how to prioritize overall well-being and sustainable fitness choices. I have a special interest in this area and focus on supporting teens and younger adults as they make the switch from their chosen sport to training for a healthy, balanced life. Read more about me, Coach Will HERE.
Honore, age group 25–29, competed in swimming at the collegiate level, becoming a NCAA record holder and national champion in the 200 meter Individual Medley as well as national champion in the 400 meter Individual Medley and 200 meter butterfly. Covid ended Honore’s swimming career suddenly during her senior year. Honore worked with the personal trainers at Monarch Fitness Coaching to help her transition from swimming. Honore indicated she wanted to be able to do a variety of activities including skiing, surfing, and hiking. Honore completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand in 2022. She learned to ski in 2023 and is currently preparing for the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Do You Have Sport Specific Injuries? Are You Concerned That You Will Further Aggravate Or Re-Injure?
Has a relentless approach to athletic excellence resulted in injuries or aches and pains? Has the wear and tear on your joints and muscles from intense training regimens and overuse made it challenging for you to move well? At Monarch Fitness Coaching, we will help to identify the areas that are functioning well as well as the areas that you can focus on rehabbing to help you develop balanced function.
George, age group 15–19, competed in football, wrestling, and lacrosse throughout his high school career. Being a three-sport athlete leaves minimal time for personal fitness and, more importantly, rest. George experienced a low back injury which sidelined him for parts of his junior and senior seasons for all three of his sports. Throughout his summer break and even while away at university, George collaborated with the personal trainers at Monarch Fitness Coaching, maintaining a dedicated commitment to his fitness journey. Thanks to his hard work and the convenience of online training, George has rehabbed from his injuries. He’s now able to participate in recreational sports at his college as a result of a well-balanced training style.
Why Is The Transition Worth It?
All too often people have an “all or nothing” mindset. When you have been training for ten or more hours a week, it hardly seems worth it to spend an hour three days a week on your health and fitness; however, consistent low volume personal training and independent workouts make a significant difference in your ability to meet future goals and improve your overall health.
Monarch Fitness Coaching not only offers personal training, we also provide small group personal training, independent workouts, and open training. Read more about our services HERE. Similar to a coach, we are able to provide step-by-step guidance to help you feel better and meet your goals. We are able to provide you with a custom personal-training program using software that includes your goals and training schedule—including frequency and duration of training. You can watch a video of each exercise you are completing and read written instructions including the number of repetitions and sets as well as written instructions of areas to focus on.
How Do I Get Started?
Feeling ready to get started? Remember the first step will always be the most difficult. Making a shift takes courage and commitment; however, your body will thank you.
At Monarch Fitness Coaching, before you take the time to come in, we provide a FREE consultation to help you decide if you feel comfortable with our personal trainers and think Monarch Fitness Coaching might be a good fit for you. Schedule HERE.
Monarch Fitness Coaching ensures that when you do decide to come in, we start with an In-Depth Consultation and Training. During the 75-minute session, we provide you with the following:
- Training goal discussion
- Movement pattern evaluation
- Immediate feedback to get you started progressing toward your goals
- A plan to keep you moving forward toward your goals
If you are interested in meeting, schedule your In-Depth Consultation and Training HERE
Conclusion
At Monarch Fitness Coaching, we understand the importance of your transition from organized training. The personal training team and I specialize in guiding individuals through this pivotal shift, emphasizing mobility and thoughtful movement, while prioritizing a balanced approach to fitness. Our focus extends beyond the confines of traditional athletic-based training. We believe that a sustainable and enjoyable fitness journey is necessary for healthy living. Join us at Monarch Fitness Coaching, where we support and empower you through this transition, helping you achieve not just peak performance but a lifelong commitment to feeling good daily and meeting your post-organized-athletic goals.
