The future of wellness requires us to open our minds to a more inclusive approach in order to achieve optimal results. The new world of wellness is taking a more encompassing look at what “wellness” really means and how we can utilize it to help people become increasingly better. This new understanding includes a multifaceted approach to wellness; mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual are just a few ways that we can incorporate more wellness into our (and our clients) daily lives. 

As the industry shift takes place it will become more important for coaches and trainers to offer a more adaptable approach to wellness. The future looks more personalized, holistic, preventative, mindful, and inclusive. By taking an inclusive look at wellness, trainers and coaches harness a unique ability to not only address the physical health needs of their clients, but aid in their overall well-being in a multitude of ways. 

What is Wellness?

If you ask 100 people what they think of when they hear the word “wellness” you will very likely get 100 different answers. There are many ways to assess, practice, and think about wellness, and the opportunities are just starting to open up. According to The Global Wellness Institute, wellness is defined as “ The active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.”

In a world that has largely focused on physical health and aesthetics as markers of health, we’re seeing major industry trends to meet the most literal definition of the world. One thing that’s become most notable is the approach to include a unity of different types of wellness. 

Therapy has become far more mainstream in the last decade as we have shifted collectively to accept that more people suffer from mental health disorders than ever before including high stress, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. There’s also been an increase in wellness coaches and mindset coaches, both of which offer clients a safe and dedicated space to consider their current state of wellness and find ways to improve. 

This new understanding includes many types of wellness into consideration including the physical, mental, emotional, social, sexual, spiritual, and environmental wellness. All of these categories contribute to the overall wellness a person experiences. By prioritizing a well-rounded approach to wellness, an individual can find more balance, be more in tune with their needs and fulfillment, and more easily address the issues we face that comes with being human. 

The Importance of a Multifaceted Approach to Wellness

By taking a multifaceted approach to wellness, we get a better overall idea of what someone’s health truly looks like. And as coaches and trainers, we have the unique ability to help our clients improve their wellness in a myriad of ways. 

This can be as simple as organizing meet-ups or smaller group classes to encourage socialization among your clients, or leading a workout at your religious organization, which brings movement, spirituality, and community together. The opportunities to intersect various types of wellness are as limited as your imagination. 

You’ll also likely improve retention rates with your clients and potentially see more referrals as clients are more likely to stick around with a trainer or coach who helps them see results (whether they’re physical or otherwise).

You can look to physical wellness as the template for why it is important to practice other types of wellness. As we see with physical health, the better we take care of our bodies and work on them, the healthier they become. Take strength training or running, for example. As we challenge our bodies to lift weights or run distances, our bodies must adapt to the load and gradually, our muscles can lift heavier weights, and our cardiovascular system allows us to run a little longer. The more we practice our other types of wellness, the more they adapt to their own loads and become stronger. 

Why Trainers and Coaches Should Offer Wellness Coaching

• Enhanced Client Relationships
  • Offering a multifaceted approach to wellness can deepen a client-coach relationship by creating multiple levels to connect. 
  • By understanding and addressing your clients’ holistic needs, you can offer a better service and expand revenue sources.
• Increased Professional Credibility:
  • By finding your intersection(s) as a wellness coach, you can offer a more niche and marketable service that sets you apart as an expert. 
  • A good example of this would be a therapist and personal trainer hybrid. The trainer can offer both emotional and physical services by providing psychotherapy during a workout session. 
• Business Growth and Diversification:
  • By expanding your services, you expand your possible client pool, and therefore, your streams of revenue. 
  • On is a great example of this. They offer a run club at their store in Venice, CA where people meet at their shop for both a social interaction and a physical activity they enjoy. This allows them to meet like minded people and foster a sense of local community. 

Practical Steps for Integrating Wellness Coaching

• Education and Certification:
  • Take a new course or certification to diversify your offerings. Take time to think about what you enjoy and what you think the industry or your area is currently missing. 
• Collaborative Approaches:
  • Collaborate! Does your friend facilitate breathwork courses? Cacao ceremonies? Book club? Spa services? Great! Lead a joint event! This will diversify both of your networks and bring in a new way to offer your expertise to the community. 

Last Thoughts

Embracing a multifaceted approach to wellness is essential for the future of the industry. As we move towards a more inclusive and holistic understanding of health, the role of trainers and coaches becomes increasingly pivotal. By integrating various aspects of wellness—mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and more—professionals can offer more comprehensive and personalized support to their clients. 

This not only enhances the client-coach relationship but also sets trainers apart as experts capable of addressing the diverse needs of individuals in a meaningful way. Ultimately, the future of wellness lies in our ability to embrace a broader perspective, fostering an environment where holistic health and a macro lens view of well-being are imperative.