If we understand people we are more likely to have more successful outcomes in helping them become more active. One key part of getting to know people is to understand their motivations for turning up to your session. There will always be a reason why people do everything.
Everyone is different and will therefore have different reasons or motivations for taking part based on their different experiences, personality, and lifestyle factors including family and friends. Don’t forget that people can have more than one motivation at the same time and that motivations can shift and change as people progress and become more capable at being active.
UK Coaching and Sport England have applied the learning from the latest youth insight Under the Skin. It looks at the reasons why young people take part in sport or activity. The most common reasons included:
- to meet new people
- to hang out with friends
- to get in shape
- to be healthy
- for fun and enjoyment
- to learn new skills.
The challenge for coaches, activators and leaders is to plan and deliver sessions to meet these reasons for taking part.