Abstract: The article examines the ethics of fitness trainers as an integral part of their professional competence. The importance of observing ethical standards aimed at strengthening and maintaining the health of clients is emphasized. The study identifies three types of normative ethics: deontological, utilitarianism and virtue ethics, each of which plays an important role in shaping the professional morality of fitness instructors. The study noted that in order to achieve true professionalism, it is necessary to restore the foundations of the sports coach's identity, making human well-being a priority. Trainers should be guided by a humanistic concept that will help direct natural human transformations, and not just focus on improving efficiency. The results of the study can be used in the process of training and practice of fitness specialists, as well as in the development of ethical standards and codes of conduct for this profession.
Key words: professional competence, deontological ethics, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, human well-being, humanistic concept, identity, morality.
Ethics of fitness trainers is a part of professional competence that shapes, defines and evaluates their activities in terms of moral standards. This profession reflects health as a fundamental value, which determines the meaning of work as an activity aimed at promoting and maintaining health. This article discusses the main elements of the professional ethics of fitness instructors. Their presentation in a unified and logically structured form is an innovation in the literature. Providing this type of information to future sports coaches is not only necessary but also a relevant task.
In the context of the topic, ethical decision making requires reliance on different types of normative ethics, among which deontological, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics stand out. Each of these approaches offers a unique perspective on how one should act in professional endeavors [1].
Deontological ethics emphasizes adherence to duties and rules regardless of consequences. These include following established standards of professional practice, respecting client confidentiality, and providing honest information about exercise methods and diets. It emphasizes the importance of an instructor's moral obligations to class attendees, which includes responsibility for their safety and health and the need to act in their best interests.
Utilitarianism is based on the principle of maximizing the common good. It is the selection of those methods and practices that provide the greatest benefit to the majority of users. For example, a trainer may evaluate different programs and select those that provide the best results for people's health and fitness. This approach requires the trainer to consider the consequences of their actions and strive to ensure that their work contributes to the quality of life of users.
Virtue ethics focuses on developing personal qualities such as honesty, compassion, tolerance and respect. A fitness coach should strive to be not only a professional, but also a good person who cares about their clients and their well-being. This ethic emphasizes the importance of forming a trusting relationship as well as the need to create a supportive and motivating atmosphere.
Each of these types plays an important role in shaping the professional ethics of fitness instructors. Adopting a deontological approach helps adhere to rules and regulations, utilitarianism allows for maximum benefit-oriented decision making, and virtue ethics fosters positive relationships and an atmosphere of trust during and after classes. Together, these approaches help counselors make moral decisions that contribute to both their professional growth and the well-being of their clients.
The development of the health and fitness industry has led to a growing interest in sports coaching as an effective means of achieving physical activity and health goals. However, to ensure ethics and professionalism in coaching, the concepts of fitness and wellbeing need to be clearly distinguished and the differences between the two need to be understood. Only in this way will it be possible to establish a solid foundation for ethically sound and professional sports coaching practices aimed at achieving personal and societal goals in this area [2].
Another study also emphasizes that moral professionalism in fitness coaching plays a crucial role in maintaining equity and healthy lifestyles. Introducing ethics to trainers will help to increase their accountability and create a positive feedback loop in which trainers' moral sensitivity is passed on to their clients. As a result, it will help prevent the deterioration of important qualities of fitness due to commercialization and dominance of the idea of "winner takes all" and promote a fair and healthy fitness culture [3].
A discussion at the Fitness Trainers Association highlighted the importance of rebuilding the foundations of instructors' identity to create an approach that prioritizes human well-being. Fitness coaches seemed to have followed the changes brought about by some progressive training methods and lacked a humanistic vision that could clearly guide the natural transformation of the individual. In fact, judging from the discussion in the coaching laboratories, the methodological basis of fitness methods was mainly focused on performance enhancement. There seemed to be no rational basis in the profession that could inspire coaches to interpret ethical dilemmas in the client-society relationship. They felt inferior because there was no clear identity in their methodological approach. This deficiency often led to superficial and harmful management of the value system of the individual, as well as of communities and companies within fitness support, which had a negative impact on personal and organizational well-being.
A study [4] conducted by the Association's scientific committee confirmed with its own observations the scheme proposed in connection with the ethical shift in fitness training methods in health care systems. Adding to the notion of an ethical shift was the fact that the general foundations of the method were generally consistent with the ideas of representatives of the "third force" in psychology, in particular Erich Fromm, who was the only one who was thoroughly and comprehensively engaged in an ethical analysis of the dynamics of personal development. It can be argued that Fromm is an authority in the field of athletic training because, through his objective humanistic ethics, he demonstrates his full belief in human nature and links it to the development of potential and well-being. On the one hand, he supports humanity's natural inclination to be healthy and active. On the other hand, he accurately describes the polarity between the individual and society as a dynamic tension between two forces: the demands placed on the individual by the social system and the individual's desire for well-being from an ethical perspective. Past attempts at professional ethics education in fitness have sought to resolve this tension, mainly by improving performance. But there are different approaches to resolving ethical dilemmas. Through Fromm's approach, for example, the instructor today will be able to balance this tension more harmoniously by promoting productivity or positive change [4].
Thus, to achieve true ethical professionalism, coaches need to restore the foundations of self-identity by prioritizing the well-being of the individual. Coaches need to be guided by a humanistic perspective that will help guide the natural transformation of the individual, rather than simply focusing on performance enhancement. It is important that trainers have a clear rational framework that will help them interpret ethical dilemmas in the client-society relationship. They should strive for a harmonious balance between the demands of the social system and the individual's desire for well-being, rather than simply trying to resolve this tension by improving efficiency.
We conclude that the ethics of fitness trainers are part of their professional competence to maintain the health and well-being of their clients. In order to make moral decisions in sports coaching, deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics must be considered. To achieve true professionalism, one must make human well-being a priority, be guided by a humanistic perspective, and strive for a harmonious balance between the demands of the social system and people's desire for well-being. These circumstances play a crucial role in maintaining equity and wellness in the fitness industry.
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