Different body types and structures have unique needs and adaptability to fitness routines. When looking for a fitness instructor, identify a person willing to walk your unique fitness journey with you. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with money-oriented fitness instructors who use recycled manuals for different clients.
Samuel Chewning stands out from other players in the industry with his holistic approach to fitness. The 31-year-old resident of Santa Monica, California, has helped many clients achieve their goals with unique programs tailored for each one of them. For 10 years, Chewning has been committed to helping each client gain more than physical benefits from their fitness routines.
Make It Personal
Chewning says that after 10 years of being in the fitness industry, he is amazed at how powerful holistic physical fitness is in helping already high-performing individuals feel stronger and more motivated to achieve more in their lives. Chewning’s model of aiming for more than physical fitness in fitness routines has helped his clients open their minds and souls. He says that this is his greatest motivation. In his words, “I fell in love with the way fitness made my clients feel about themselves and allowed them to excel in all aspects of their lives.”
Sam, as he is known to his clients, also says, “I’ve learned that when you start to connect with and strengthen your body, your whole life is elevated. Working towards being a highly functionally fit person not only directly impacts your body but also allows you to elevate and affect your mind and soul. Fitness helps us to be higher performing individuals in all aspects of our lives.” He has since adopted the holistic fitness model, encouraging his clients to connect with their bodies before embarking on a fitness journey.
The Body Love Language
According to Chewning, one of the most misleading myths in fitness is that a person can only love their body after engaging in fitness routines to earn perfection. He states that a person should live and embrace every inch of their body before they embark on making lasting changes. If you do not love your body enough, you will not be willing to make the sacrifices required in fitness programs.
For this reason, Chewning prefers to create one on one training programs with his clients. Before starting any fitness routine, Chewning guides the client to become familiar with their bodies. Most people know they have weaknesses, but they are never ready to conquer them.
Chewning says, “Confronting your weakness takes courage, but addressing it directly is the first step towards a stronger, more balanced you that can perform safely at higher levels. When I work with new clients, we always take time to observe the body and address any weaknesses, imbalances, injuries, immobilities, and gaps in motor control. You are only as strong as your weakest link.”
By exploring the client’s body, Sam helps the client understand their fitness needs which are as unique as the individuals themselves.
This is what sets him apart from other personal or professional trainers. He takes time to understand the needs of his clients. He also allows his clients to explore their bodies, fall in love with their imperfections and understand their physical needs.
Love the Client, Love the Job
Chewning insists that love is the only language in professional fitness training. You have to love the job and enjoy it to help clients love the fitness routines. He says that his biggest challenge is “Teaching people that fitness is a relationship with your body and how it encounters the world. Your body is there to be enjoyed and used in many other ways. It’s the one thing you can never lose, so learn to enjoy it.” People do not love their bodies enough to understand that fitness is about embracing themselves and wanting to do better.
Chewning draws his inspiration from Rich Fronic, who has found a way to do what he enjoys and make money while at it. The fitness instructor’s advice to younger professionals in the industry is to do what they enjoy and have fun. He says it is not wrong to pick clients, but a professional must be equipped with a love for people and excellent communication skills. If fitness professionals cannot communicate and resonate with their clients, they may not help the client achieve their fitness goals.
Get Certified
While Chewning loves working with clients, he also has academic and professional qualifications to back his experience. He has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from VCU, is Kettlebell Training Certified, and has a certificate from the American College of Sports Medicine CPT. He also has a certificate from the Equinox Fitness Institute.
Chewning’s qualifications go a long way to show young professionals the need to get certified in their field of expertise. They help to prove your relevance and authority in physical fitness.
