Module 6: Encourage

Encouragement includes messages and behaviours that enhance self-efficacy and prompt participants to do or try something. You can provide encouragement directly, and/or suggest participants encourage each other. An encouraging fitness professional can motivate participants to continue and progress.

Getting started:

A transcript of the video can also be found in the below text.

• Celebrate and thank participants for coming and engaging in a movement practice. “Congratulations to everyone in the room – today you made the choice to show up, to move your body, and to be with others!”
• Use positive statements that invite as opposed to pressure (e.g., “you can” rather than “you have to”).
• Encouragement can be verbal and nonverbal (e.g., applauding, high fives, etc.). Using different forms of encouragement can also demonstrate to other participants options for how they can encourage each other.
• Remind participants they are improving and suggest they self-reflect on this progress. Encourage pride and self-appreciation for accomplishments. For example, “I would encourage you as we wrap up class today, to take a moment to reflect on your progress. If today is your first class, take a moment just to acknowledge that leap you took. If you have been attending class for a while, think about when you first joined this class, and where you are now. Your comfort and confidence in class, your ability to do that extra rep, and how you can take on that extra bit of challenge. Each of you has so much to be proud of”
• Encourage participants to return (e.g., “I look forward to seeing you next week”) and acknowledge when participants have returned.
• In online settings, provide verbal encouragement, even if they are not visible or their cameras are off. In this scenario encouragement will need to be more general (e.g., “keep it up!”, “well done!”, “good effort!”, “you’re doing well today”) but is still supportive.

Adding on:

A transcript of the video can also be found in the below text.

• Acknowledge challenges participants may be facing and recognize that new movements may be difficult.
• Suggest positive reframing where realistic and appropriate (e.g., for participants who have experienced cancer, acknowledging the adverse experience, while suggesting positive reframing of resilience and strength for what they have gone through. For example, if a participant is feeling frustrated that their strength of fitness is lower than it was before their illness, suggesting focusing on the improvements they have made during their recovery.)
• Ask about previous physical activity experience and abilities to better tailor recommendations and suggest appropriate challenges for them. If they are hesitant to try something, share examples of how you relate to that feeling. Providing encouragement without pressuring participants is key, as pressure may lead to avoidance or a negative experience.

Summary:

Providing encouragement can enhance participants’ confidence and help them in trying something new, without making them feel pressured.