It's time to break in your new instructor trainee... but first you have to educate them so they can run a class without getting you sued. 

So today we're going to start with the first of several topics that I've found to be crucial to training great instructors, Kinesiology. So what is kinesiology?

What Is Kinesiology?

Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement. The study of kinesiology involves understanding skeletal and muscular anatomy and physiology, and how that relates to human kinetics, or movement.

Now, you may not think that it's important or even necessary for a martial artist to know much about how the body works. And, you'd be right. In fact, a martial ARTIST can get along just fine without knowing diddly squat about the science of human movement.

However, a martial arts INSTRUCTOR needs to know a great deal about human movement, because the study of kinesiology enhances and improves their ability to teach others how to make their bodies do amazing things.

Not only that, but in studying the science of human movement, we also learn how to avoid breaking our bodies. I don't think I need to elaborate on the why behind the importance of learning how to train to the point of improvement and not injury.

How Do You Teach Kinesiology To Your Trainee?

So how do you teach your martial arts instructors such a broad and deep topic? Well, you basically have three options for doing so.

OPTION #1

Option #1, you hand them a book and tell them to read it. Now, you want your instructors to learn applied kinesiology, not the theory or philosophy behind kinesiology. That means you need to hand them a book that teaches exactly that.

For my money, the best texts for learning applied kinesiology are the same ones used in personal trainer certification courses. These texts will cover general muscular and skeletal anatomy and physiology, basic functional exercises, and fitness programming for clients. 

They'll also cover safety and injury prevention, which as you'll recall is another topic that I think you need to cover with your new instructor trainees. Two such books that I recommend you pick up for your office library are the ACE Personal Trainer Manual or the NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training. Either book will do, as they both cover essentially the same material.

The downside to this option is that it's unlikely for an employee to read a big thick manual on their own time, never mind getting them to retain the info. So, I suggest that you go with the next two options for covering this material with your instructors.

OPTION #2

Now, Option #2 is to develop your own materials and curriculum and to actually take your trainee through it in an afternoon training session. If you have a background or degree in personal training, health, or kinesiology, this might be the best option for you.

The downside to this option is it's the one that involves the most work and effort on your part. But the upside to it is that you'll have complete control over what your employees are learning.

OPTION #3

However, if you don't have such a background then your absolute best option is Option #3, sending them through a personal training certification course. There are a ton of these courses out there, but it's best if you choose a program that is specific to martial arts training.

For that reason, I would suggest that you have your instructor trainees complete this certification program. It covers all the essential anatomy and physiology, training science, and program design material your instructors should know. 

Plus, it includes a ton of cool training and conditioning drills that you can use in your classes. And, once they finish the program you can create an additional revenue stream for your dojo by having that employee teach an MMA fitness class.

Other Considerations

Granted, it will take them a while to complete a certification course like this in their spare time. In order to speed up the process, you can opt to allow them to study the course on the clock for an hour a day until they complete it. However, just the fact that you are paying for them to get an additional certification should be enough to motivate an employee to complete the program.

But regardless of how you decide to train your employee on exercise science and human movement, the fact remains that it will make them a better instructor to understand these topics. 

Once you make kinesiology a part of your overall instructor training program, you'll soon see that it enhances your employee's ability to teach effectively. And, that in turn will lead to improved student satisfaction and greater overall student retention.