Building The Client / Trainer Relationship

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!