Training Theory
Cooperative, Modeling Coaching. Instruct, model and motivate. Praise and reward individual and group strengths, progress and achievements. Forge a tight-knit, bonded, supportive, unified team. Brand with t-shirts. Teach and direct each individual, but free them to choose their own level of participation. Encourage all members to help create and modify the group’s training plan. Instill commitment, buy-in and ownership of the plan, along with the conviction that physical and mental strength is the reward for engaging in lifelong physical activity. Exhibit passion, compassion, optimism, good sporting behavior, and a positive attitude. Inspire members to adopt these attitudes. Persevere when things get tough, leading members to also persevere. Affirm that Seniors are capable, proud, confident, happy to engage with others and make new, lifelong friends. It’s not too late to start. “We will not let age stop us!”
Operations
Locations. Senior and community centers, parks and trails. Consider accessibility, parking, restrooms, drinking water, warmup and cool down areas and safe, clean, dry, smooth terrain. Secure and maintain support from facilities and jurisdictions, and foster good relationships with others using the facilities. Pre-inspect, map, and sweep the course.
Schedules. Weekly, ongoing, one-hour group sessions. Mornings, determined by the City of Paramount for my city-supported group of both men and women. I schedule an additional 15 minutes for signing in, announcements and questions before each session, and an extra 15 minutes for debriefing after each session. Afternoons, determined by the Pasadena Senior Center, for my organizational, non-profit women’s club. Again, I schedule an additional 15 minutes for signing in, announcements and questions before each session, and an extra 15 minutes for debriefing after each session.
Managing Participants. At the club’s launch, warmly greet and welcome each attendee. Give an overview of the proposed tasks and goals of the program. Emphasize the gains and benefits of mental and physical health and improved functional mobility. Encourage members to commit to an active, engaged lifestyle, rather than focusing on single sessions. Communicate that this a special time and a great opportunity for members to do something important for themselves in a stress-free, relaxing and enjoyable setting.
Each member signs a waiver instructing them to consult their doctor before beginning the program. Obtain and maintain liability insurance. Craft an exercise plan for each individual, considering their ability to listen, understand, ask questions, retain information, tolerate training, recover and adapt. Note any health, mobility, language, hearing, environmental, lifestyle, motivation and social issues. Begin with simple motor tasks, including range of motion, balance and strengthening. Gradually progress to more complex movements, volume and intensity. Control stress, stress rest and recovery, and prevent feelings of being overwhelmed that can result in mental and physical fatigue, injury, and quitting. Teach and direct individuals while coaching the overall, common training session. Note the unique characteristics of individuals. Continually assess each member’s perceived exertion. Teach personal safety, including avoiding overdoing it, paying attention to one’s body and environmental hazards, wearing appropriate clothing and maintaining adequate hydration.
Senior Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE) https://nsga.com/healthygames/ suggests aiming for consistent sessions of 20 to 30 minutes each, 3 to 5 days a week. Encourage walking, swimming and cycling along with running to decrease the chance of muscle-tissue damage. Alternate walking with running short distances in each session, slowly increasing the percentage of running over several weeks. Limit increasing volume to no more than 15 minutes a week.
Teach and model good posture, body alignment, form and movement. Model holding the head high, back straight, shoulders back, arms bent and swinging at the sides, short stride length, mid-foot landing and deep, controlled breathing. Remind members to constantly monitor all body parts, check their form and maintain good posture. Communicate this will help them prevent injury and reduce fatigue. Encourage them to look around, enjoy the moment and the session, and release their cares. Remind them to smile and greet others on the course. Conclude with short cool downs of simple body and arm stretches to help relax the muscles and prevent stiffness the next day. Enthusiastically encourage them to think about how good they feel and consider taking a day or two off to rest, recover and reward themselves.
Teach course etiquette and language. Slower members stay to the right, pass on the left and communicate when passing. Avoid blocking the course by walking or running several abreast. Require uplifting conversation and do not tolerate denigrating comments.
Materials Needed. Phone, first aid kit, drinking water, blankets, roster, waivers with emergency contacts, storage area for personal items, team shirts.
Community needs. The International Coaching Federation estimates “the market for coaching is expected to reach $20 billion by 2022. The coaching industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. With more organizations and individuals using coaching services, there is an increasing demand for specialized expertise.” Jan 4, 2021/Nov 14, 2021 https://coachingfederation.org/blog/3-trends-that-will-shape-the-future-of-coaching.
In addition to comprehensive coaching opportunities, there is a unique niche market for coaching Seniors. More than 46 million older adults, age 65 and older, currently live in the U.S. The number is expected to grow to almost 90 million by 2050. From 2020 to 2030, when the last of the baby boomers will reach age 65, the number of older adults is projected to increase by almost 18 million more. With this aging population comes an increasing need for services to support these older adults. Nov 14, 2021 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/aging/1/demographics
I coach in the Cities of Paramount and Pasadena, in the County of Los Angeles. My 72 year-old co-coach and husband are I are the only coaches focused on Seniors only, of which I am aware. We are in high demand. I am a retired 70-year old Librarian and computer trainer and am easily working harder and longer than ever.
Communication
Marketing. I regularly publish in the Paramount and Pasadena a Chambers of Commerce and Senior Center newsletters, including flyers, articles, advertisements and announcements. I post weekly on social media, including Instagram, FaceBook and Twitter. My posts enthusiastically recap the sessions and include photos and invitations to join the group. I created a Groups on Flickr, place hundreds of photos on the site and communicate this to members, race directors, and City officials. I regularly communicate my plans, needs and activities to the City of Paramount and Parks and Recreation and the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. I received an appointment as a Commissioner on the Paramount Senior Services Commission and regularly present highlights of our club.
Finances
I do not charge membership dues for members of either of my clubs. I believe these wonderful Seniors have earned the right to receive professional, caring coaching free of charge. I expect sponsors, organizations, businesses and other donors to contribute to their welfare.
The City of Paramount funded our team t-shirts. I secured discounted race entries and a complimentary entry in local races. I wrote a grant and secured free race entries to the LA Marathon Big 5K from Arrowhead Water. I created a GoFundMe page to secure donations for my 501(c)3, 261 Fearless Club Los Angeles.
https://gofund.me/bd0b0232
This minimal financial support falls well below my needs. I personally fund my coaches’ training and certificates, insurance, memberships in Chambers, Senior Centers and Clubs, First Aid/CPR/AED certifications, advertisements in Chambers, race entries, photos, business cards, gifts, awards and t-shirts for 261 Fearless Club Los Angeles. I estimate a needed annual income of $3,000 to cover these expenses.
I am considering incorporating the Paramount Walking Club as a 501(c)3, similar to my 261 Fearless Club Los Angeles, in the foreseeable future. In 2022, I plan to learn how to become a better fund-raiser and energetically pursue potential sponsors, partners, and grants.
JOURNEY ON!