How to integrate holistic practices into your coaching & enhance client wellness
5 min read

How to integrate holistic practices into your coaching & enhance client wellness

Everfit Team
Jul 26, 2024 5 min read

Are you currently struggling to find the winning recipe for your fitness and nutrition coaching business? If so, holistic therapy is the secret ingredient that will help you taste sweet success.

Whether starting your PT business or taking your fitness coaching venture to the next level, holistic approaches will ensure that your business stands out from the crowd to deliver unforgettable and life-changing results for your clients – and sustainable revenue for the business. 

As today is Holistic Therapy Day, now is the perfect time to get started. Here’s how!

What is holistic therapy?

Experts at Healthline define holistic therapy as a treatment that “addresses the mind, body, and spirit to support health and healing”. It focuses on strengthening the mind-body-spirit connection and extends to all types of therapy. 

As far as fitness coaching is concerned, holistic practices are designed to promote optimal client wellness by managing physical and emotional aspects with a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to the individual’s needs. Therefore, a fitness program that embraces holistic therapy may look to support a client through;

Everfit empowers personal trainers, sports coaches, nutritionists, health coaches, and associated business owners to incorporate holistic practices with greater ease than ever before.

Why is holistic therapy vital for fitness coaching?

Understanding the concept of holistic therapy and the elements that feed into is one thing. However, appreciating the reasons for doing this is equally essential. Aside from vindicating your decision to integrate holistic approaches, it should provide guidance on how to do it.

The online fitness coaching industry is growing at a rate of 32.7% annually, which is why every entrepreneur in this space must look to gain a competitive edge. Holistic therapy is the perfect solution for many reasons, including but not limited to;

  • Clients can receive an all-in-one solution, making conversions more likely.
  • Offering more services may open the door to increased earnings from each client.
  • Increased client satisfaction should also translate to increased loyalty.
  • Happy clients who also see greater results will also tell others about your business.
  • Handling holistic practices internally saves you from having to partner with others. 

In other words, holistic practices are good for your clients, which ultimately means they are great for business. 

How to integrate holistic practices: Expert tips from 3 coaches from Everfit Coach Community

So, how can you integrate holistic therapy and practices into your fitness coaching? Here’s what three of our experienced coaches have to say about integrating holistic practices and the ability to change lives through fitness. 

Ellyn Halley – DC, Doula, SFMA, FRCms. Doc Halley Solutions

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Ellyn Halley is a specialist in women’s health and is a pelvic health enthusiast. Her qualifications include a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Nutrition, as well as a doctorate in Chiropractic. 

The wide-ranging knowledge and expertise, which extends to her position as a birth doula, ensures a great understanding of client needs. In turn, this allows for a far more holistic approach to care, thus delivering life-changing results for clients.

“As a chiropractor and health/fitness coach, holistic practices are key to my coaching. I support women through exercise and rehab programming, nutrition coaching, and blood work/urine testing when needed. I look into more than the physical body – I want to know about their mental health and support systems, sleep practices, and more to truly support the whole human.”

Ellyn’s Tips for fellow coaches:

  • Remember that holistic coaching needn’t be complicated. Simply asking questions about their sleep and mental health can help guide your coaching.
  • Offer support beyond exercise and nutrition coaching. The goal is to help clients unlock a better quality of life, with your coaching serving as the catalyst.
  • Never stop learning and developing your skills. You can learn a lot from other professions so try to look outside of your field of expertise too. 

Katherine Bright – Personal Trainer. KatFit

Katherine Bright, the founder of KatFit, boasts a wide range of credentials and qualifications. They include MA MEd Coaching Principles & Sports Psychology, NASM Behavioral Change Specialist, and USA Track & Field Level II Jumps Coach. 

She combines this with qualifications aimed specifically at her niche of busy moms (NASM Women’s Fitness Specialist and Certified Pre- & Post Natal Coach, ACE & Girls Gone Strong) to deliver a holistic approach that resonates with clients on a human level. 

“At KatFit Strength, we understand that busy moms who are career-oriented often juggle multiple responsibilities, leaving little time for self-care. Our holistic coaching approach is designed to enhance their overall well-being by addressing physical fitness and mental and emotional health. We integrate mindfulness techniques, such as guided meditation and breathwork, into warm-ups and cooldowns to promote relaxation and mental clarity, crucial for managing stress. Nutrition counseling goes beyond macros, focusing on whole-food choices that provide sustained energy and support busy schedules. Our workouts are not just effective, but also efficient, tailored to be completed in minimal time yet still provide maximum results.”

“By incorporating these holistic practices, we empower busy moms to prioritize their health amidst their demanding lifestyles, fostering resilience and long-term wellness.”

Tips for fellow coaches:

  • You need to accommodate the client’s unique challenges and goals. For example, if time is limited, efficient workouts and flexible scheduling are key.
  • Use holistic practices to help clients achieve sustainable fitness and wellness goals. All guidance should align with their lifestyles.
  • Most importantly, you must cultivate a supportive and understanding environment where they feel empowered to prioritize their health.

Ifa Simmonds – Equestrian Fitness Academy

Ifa Simonds started out as a general fitness trainer working with a diverse range of clients before moving into the niche of equestrian fitness. By working on training and mindset techniques, his teachings help clients unlock their full potential with a focus on riding.

A deep understanding of the unique challenges facing equestrian athletes, as well as their lifestyles, enables Simonds to deliver holistic practices built specifically with riders in mind.

“In my coaching sessions, I emphasize a balanced approach that addresses not just the physical but also the mental and emotional aspects of well-being. Keyways include; helping my clients understand the importance of the mind-body connection, conducting personalized assessments into everything from physical fitness and mental state to lifestyle and goals, building programs around four core pillars (Stability, Suppleness, Strength, and Stamina), nutritional guidance, and integrating mental wellness.

Tips for fellow coaches:

  • Start small by introducing manageable changes to your sessions. A few minutes of mindfulness or breathing exercises at the start or end of your workouts is ideal.
  • Listen to your clients. Their feedback helps you make adjustments to deliver a personalized approach. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for holistic practices.
  • Remind clients that fitness is just one part of overall well-being. Encourage them to balance physical activity with rest, proper nutrition, and mental health practices. 

The final word on holistic therapy and practices

As a fitness coach or wellness expert, you need to acknowledge that clients no longer want support in one aspect of their life. They want the help of an expert who can deliver personalized support that aligns with their lives to unlock more significant improvements. 

By addressing physical, mental, and spiritual connections through holistic practices, your business will reach new heights.

Explore Everfit to start integrating Holistic therapy into your coaching business today.

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