Strength and conditioning facility rules and guidelines are important for providing

participants with guidance on conduct and behavior, keeping order, and keeping the program on

course toward the goal of providing a safe, clean, and professional training environment (Haff

and Triplett, 2016). However, with the present athlete, they have broken three of the facility rules

according to NSCA guidelines including improper attire, no use of a collar, and disrespect to

staff. First, athletes should wear proper training attire, particularly shirts and athletic shoes

including no jeans or mid-riff shirts, and shoes should be tied at all times (Robinson et al., 2006).

By doing so, this ensures athlete safety and reduces the risk of injury. Second, athletes are

required to use collars once there is any weight on the bar (Robinson et al., 2006). Similar to

proper attire, utilizing collars ensures safety and prevents injury. Lastly, the athlete should show

respect for equipment and facilities at all times (Robinson et al., 2006). By becoming verbally

abusive, the athlete showed disrespect to me and my facility.

For the present athlete, given this is their second time breaking specific rules, it would be

classified as a second offense. During their first offense, a verbal warning and explanation of the

nature and important of the guidelines that were broken was given. They also received a

reminder of the disciplinary action that will result from a second offense. Now, for a second

offense, the athlete will be dismissed from the facility for one day with a reminder of the

disciplinary action that will result from a third offense. In addition, documentation of the second

offense will be taken and correspondence with the athlete’s sport coach will be had (Haff and

Triplett, 2016).

As a Christian, I would refer the given athlete to Proverbs 15:23 (NIV), “those who

disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.”

Resistance to instruction (i.e., rules and guidelines) and correction marks a person a fool.
Furthermore, no like likes to be corrected, because humans are proud and arrogant by their sinful

nature from Adam. But the wise man, the child born of God, will put this nature down and

humble himself before any who come to instruct him. With the present athlete, they should put

down their sinful nature and adhere to the instruction from not only the facility, but from God as

well. By doing so, they will humbly place their dependence on the grace of God and will receive

His righteousness and knowledge in return.

References

Haff, G. G., & Triplett, N. T. (2016). Essentials of strength training and conditioning (4th ed.).

Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Robinson, E. M., Graham, L. B., & Bauer, M. (2006). The national strength and conditioning

association is the preferred certification for personal training employment in southeastern

Massachusetts. J Strength Cond Res. 20(2). 450-451.