The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is a leading organization in the personal training education industry. In 2020, ACE introduced the innovative Mover Method into its curriculum offerings. The aim of the Mover Method is to empower clients to engage more meaningfully in their fitness journey. The approach is based on research-backed strategies that trainers can employ to motivate their clients, especially over the long term.
The Mover Method aligns with the ACE Integrated Fitness Training (ACE IFT) program. ACE-certified personal trainers can incorporate the Mover Method into their client interactions to facilitate healthy behavior change and help clients stay on track toward their goals.
Mover Method: Key Principles and Concepts
The Mover Method combines a philosophical approach with behavior change and practical strategies for building client rapport and empowerment. The Mover Method takes the concept of self-efficacy as its theoretical underpinning. In behavioral psychology, self-efficacy refers to one’s perception of their ability to influence outcomes.
People with high self-efficacy believe that with effort and determination, their behaviors and choices can impact their environment and behaviors. They can also maintain behavior changes, despite facing difficulties or obstacles. High self-efficacy is essential to making and maintaining the long-term behavior changes necessary for maintaining fitness. Personal trainers use the Mover Method’s ABC Approach to support their clients and promote feelings of self-efficacy.
A is for Ask
Ask refers to asking the client open-ended questions to encourage introspection and conversation. These questions should focus on the client’s personal goals and motivations for working with a personal trainer. Asking open-ended questions serves several purposes.
Trainers learn about their clients, which builds a positive relationship. The client’s answers help the trainer put together an individualized plan that foregrounds the client’s needs and interests. The whole interaction becomes more client-centered, which increases the likelihood that the client will follow through on their commitment.
B Is for Breaking down Barriers
The second step in the ABC Approach refers to breaking down barriers. In this context, barriers are any situation or personal circumstances that prevent the clients from completing actions that will move them toward their fitness goals. Trainers can use open-ended questions to solicit this information.
For example, asking clients what actions may be impeding them from reaching their goals. Some common barriers clients face includes a lack of social support, time or physical constraints, and other responsibilities. This exercise is very useful for identifying and mitigating potential obstacles before they thwart the client’s process.
C Is positive for Collaboration
The final step in the ABC Approach is collaboration. This step highlights that the relationship between trainer and client is equal, rather than authoritative. The client and the trainer work together to co-create a fitness plan complete with action steps and progress indicators.
ACE-certified trainers contribute to their client’s success by formulating SMART fitness goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time Bound. SMART goals have these properties, which are demonstrated to provide quantifiable support for goal achievement. Instead of establishing a vague goal, like “increasing endurance,” clients can work towards quantifiable targets that are easy to measure, like “walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes.” This keeps clients informed and motivated about their progress.
When applying the ABC Approach, trainers should also use positive coaching strategies, including active listening and motivational interviewing. Active listening is the practice of staying focused on what the client is saying without interruptions or judgment. Trainers should also summarize back what the client is saying to ensure they have a clear understanding of the information being shared. Finally, trainers do not simply offer a solution, but instead, ask meaningful questions to help the client decide what they want. This increases ownership over the training plan and increase the client’s engagement and commitment.
Does the Mover Method Work?
While the Mover Method already incorporates evidence-based theories and behavior change strategies, ACE has also conducted research on its effectiveness. A study following 28 participants ranging in age and background investigated the benefits of a 12-week ACE IFT exercise plan. One-half of the participants were assigned to an IFT program integrated with the Mover Method. The other half served as a control group.
Participants in the Mover Method group went through the ABC Approach with their trainer and collaborated on ways to increase physical activity, manage their stress, and improve their nutrition. At the end of the study, participants in the group with the Mover Method integration experienced significant improvements in their behavior changes. A separate study found that the Mover Method improved outcomes for participants from vulnerable groups. This includes seniors and individuals at higher risk of chronic illnesses.
In line with the results of these studies, ACE now incorporates the Mover Method into its fitness training professional education programs.