When it comes to behaviour change and inspiring the nation to be more active, attitude and goal-setting are two of the biggest things to focus on, according to Dame Kelly Holmes.

Likening the challenge of motivating inactive people to her work with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust (DKHT) – which uses using world class athletes to engage, enable and empower disadvantaged young people – Holmes said shifting attitudes is the key to effecting change.

“When you’re changing habits and behaviours, it really is all about attitude,” said Holmes.

“So we (DKHT) focus on changing the attitude and once we’ve done that we can begin to help them. And as soon as people start, they’re able to inspire themselves by their own progress and the improvements they see in themselves.”

Echoing new research which highlighted the importance of motivational interviewing at the start of exercise interventions, the double Olympic gold medal winner believes clear goal-setting is essential at the start of any exercise programme, be it an elite athlete or someone who is completely inactive.

“There are so many choices for people these days and we’re all so very different in our motivations and abilities, so we need to inspire people into activity by helping them to identify what it is that they want to achieve,” she added.

“Goals need to be realistic as well, so that people can make progress without becoming disheartened. We have to make sure we get the right messages across so that people realise how important exercise is for both their physical and mental health.”

Holmes was speaking to Health Club Management at last week’s FIBO trade show, where she was demonstrating the new series of Apex gym floor functional workouts she’s developed with Physical Company.

“It’s funny, having started out in the military early in my career it was all about functional training and movement with circuits and everything,” said Holmes.

“Now it’s almost come full circle with people realising the health and fitness benefits from concepts like Apex in terms of agility and high intensity training. They’re also quick sessions, which are open to everyone – designed to offer the biggest benefit from the shortest amount of time.”

Holmes is also in the final stages of training for next weekend’s London Marathon and hopes her endeavours can help towards a longer-term goal of raising £250,000 for five charities – Dame Kelly Holmes Trust; Hospice in the Weald, where Holmes’ coach Dave Arnold died in 2006; Mind UK; Myeloma UK; and Pickering Cancer Centre.

Holmes said the huge challenge of a long-distance event was part of her motivation, but added she was equally inspired by the mass participation element and the engagement this brings between a broad group of people – something which has led her to become a regular attendee at parkrun events.

“I’ve been getting involved with parkrun and on social media now we play a ‘Where’s Kelly?’ game, whereby I’ll list three parkruns on the Friday and say I’ll be at one of those events the next day for a run in my woolly hat,” she added.

“And then I just turn up with my barcode, start the race, run with them, do the selfies, and run off – it’s brilliant. And what’s nice about it is that people from all walks of life can go there, with no barriers at all and enjoy social engagement with exercise – it’s so important.”

To read a feature on the top team behind the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust – from the latest edition of Sports Management magazine – click here.