Building The
Client / Trainer Relationship
Ami- Hodge , Fitness Coach
We all know to call a doctor when we’re feeling sick
or if we get hurt. When we have a
problem with our car, we don’t hesitate calling a mechanic. But, what about when you want help losing
weight and want to get in shape? The
answer isn’t always as simple as it should be.
Suddenly, we’re faced with a myriad of options. Countless ads jump out at us for various
weight loss programs, gadgets, diets or DVDs that are sure to give us rock
solid glutes.
It can be pretty confusing if you’re not sure where
to start. Many times people turn to a
fitness professional to point them in the right direction. But again, how do you know you have found the
right person for the job? Finding the
right trainer can be a challenge but what happens once you’ve found the right
one matters just as much.
Just Because
His Shirt Says “Personal Trainer” Doesn’t Mean He’s Qualified
My first experience as a
fitness coach was at a popular box gym.
I was really excited to get my career going even though I knew it would
be competitive and I still had a lot of learning to do given my lack of experience. While I was given some practical and useful
advice from my director, what I observed amongst my fellow trainers was nothing
short of shocking. These people were
self-proclaimed professionals, however the way they treated their clients was
anything but. Clients were often
instructed to do advanced exercises that were unsafe and served little purpose
other than to cause over exertion. The
main philosophy was to “make ‘em sweat” and if a client could barely put their
jacket on or walk out the door, they had a successful workout.
Needless to say, I felt like something was
really wrong. I know that sounds like a
logical thing for me to think and while my situation was an extreme case, it is
a common story all across the fitness industry.
It’s no wonder people are intimidated by hiring a trainer.
I am here to tell you that this should never happen
to anyone. But just like finding out you
purchased and brought home a rotten apple from your local grocery store, so too
can you inadvertently find yourself in the hands of an “uninformed” personal
trainer.
A genuinely good coach takes time to get to know
their client. He or she discusses possible limitations with their clients,
takes the time to follow up on their clients’ goals or revisits their initial
assessment.
They will even work with your doctor if you have
been diagnosed with a serious injury or ailment. If a trainer does not regularly take the time
to do these things, then he or she is truly “uninformed” of who their client
is. In addition to understanding his or
her client, a quality trainer will be constantly learning and staying informed
by keeping up to date on the latest research in the fitness industry. He or she should apply that information to
his or her clientele’s particular exercises programs.
The good news is that there ARE trainers like this
out there. The best way to locate one is
not necessarily through a flashy advertisement but through referrals. If you talk to someone who is happy with his
or her results and is enthusiastic about helping their trainer build their
business, you know you have an ideal lead.
The Path Is In
Front Of You, Now It’s Up To You To See Where It Leads
Once you find a coach you trust and feel confident
will lead you to your fitness goals, it’s up to you to stay on track and work
with the plan that has been set before you.
Your trainer has the tools but there are of no use
if you don’t use them. Every time you
walk in the door to your gym or when your trainer arrives at your home, that is
when the distance between you and your goals gets a little smaller. The path you’re on will be challenging and at
times may seem impossible.
Your trainer or coach is the one that will help you
get through those rough spots and keep you headed in the right direction. Pushing through difficult exercises or
conquering barriers when it comes to food are what will propel you
forward. This is going to sound harsh
but if you are not willing to make these efforts, the point of working with a
personal trainer is useless. Not only
will you have wasted a solid investment of money, you will end up no better off
than you were when you first met with your trainer. Or worse, you may feel like you’ve failed
yourself. Your trainer is going to be accountable to you but it’s not their
goal that is being fulfilled.
The other good news is you have the power to stay on
track. After all, what led you to
finding the right trainer is what is going to lead you to fitness success. When you walk through the door to your gym
you have taken one step closer to getting better!
To get started on your path, come visit Terra Nova
Fitness at www.terranovafitness.com or call 650.359.9002 and we
will show you the way!
