Answers (9)
2
How do personal trainers perceive themselves? If someone where to ask you to do a 30 second elevator pitch on the spot explaining what you do professionally, what would you say?
It's easy to put a response on this portal now because we all can Google an acceptable answer.
I challenge you all to approach your peers and ask what does a personal trainer do and then post your perception on this thread.
It's difficult to sell yourself if you don't know what you do professionally. We must be able to clearly explain to prospective clients precisely what a personal trainer does so that they see our value. People don't question the value of a physical therapist, a nurse or even the person who keeps the changing rooms clean at your local gym because they perceive the value of the service they offer.
I personally make it a point to help prospective clients see the value of my services so that they perceive they are purchasing the services of a professional.
It's easy to put a response on this portal now because we all can Google an acceptable answer.
I challenge you all to approach your peers and ask what does a personal trainer do and then post your perception on this thread.
It's difficult to sell yourself if you don't know what you do professionally. We must be able to clearly explain to prospective clients precisely what a personal trainer does so that they see our value. People don't question the value of a physical therapist, a nurse or even the person who keeps the changing rooms clean at your local gym because they perceive the value of the service they offer.
I personally make it a point to help prospective clients see the value of my services so that they perceive they are purchasing the services of a professional.
2
Q: "Do potential clients talk themselves out of Training before we get that open discussion"?
A: That depends on how comfortable the potential client may feel working one on one with a Personal Trainer.
Q: "What if potential clients feel they have to already be at a certain level of fitness before working with a trainer"?
A: Fitness Entry levels are different with all potential clients...no two people are alike.
Q: "Do potential clients fear Trainers"?
A: Maybe it isn't really a factor of "fear"...could very well be the thought of unknown expectations.
Q: "Do they feel that the workout will be too difficult"?
A: More than likely this would be the biggest issue with a potential client.
Q: "How do we dispell the myth that Personal Trainers aren't in the business of hurting people"?
A: I think if any Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor had those motives...they would'nt have a job.
I think the best way for any potential client thinking about hiring a Personal Trainer is to simply "observe" ALL Personal Trainers in their club.
Notice how they interact with their clients, if they're attentative to the client, if they are punctual, caring and courteous and most of all ask other members in the club as well as the clients they currently training or have trained in the past.
What achievements has the trainer accomplished, years in business, certifications and insurance. And can they provide some references of past clients and results, i.e websites, before/after photos etc.
Is the Personal Trainer willing to meet in person for a free consultation? Some Personal Trainers may not take on all potential clients they meet, rather refer them to someone with a better fit for the clients needs.
A: That depends on how comfortable the potential client may feel working one on one with a Personal Trainer.
Q: "What if potential clients feel they have to already be at a certain level of fitness before working with a trainer"?
A: Fitness Entry levels are different with all potential clients...no two people are alike.
Q: "Do potential clients fear Trainers"?
A: Maybe it isn't really a factor of "fear"...could very well be the thought of unknown expectations.
Q: "Do they feel that the workout will be too difficult"?
A: More than likely this would be the biggest issue with a potential client.
Q: "How do we dispell the myth that Personal Trainers aren't in the business of hurting people"?
A: I think if any Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor had those motives...they would'nt have a job.
I think the best way for any potential client thinking about hiring a Personal Trainer is to simply "observe" ALL Personal Trainers in their club.
Notice how they interact with their clients, if they're attentative to the client, if they are punctual, caring and courteous and most of all ask other members in the club as well as the clients they currently training or have trained in the past.
What achievements has the trainer accomplished, years in business, certifications and insurance. And can they provide some references of past clients and results, i.e websites, before/after photos etc.
Is the Personal Trainer willing to meet in person for a free consultation? Some Personal Trainers may not take on all potential clients they meet, rather refer them to someone with a better fit for the clients needs.
1
These are all great questions but every question already contains the answers.
Q: "Do potential clients talk themselves out of Training before we get that open discussion. What if potential clients feel they have to already be at a certain level of fitness before working with a trainer? Do potential clients fear Trainers? Do they feel that the workout will be too difficult?"
A: Yes. To all of the above.
Q: "How do we dispell the myth that Personal Trainers aren't in the business of hurting people, Boot Camp style with all clients?"
A: Be active in the community of your current client base. If its at the gym or around town, If people see you drill instructing people then thats what they feel their training will be like. Don't be afraid to put YOUR message out their. If your goal is to dispell this myth then start reaching people with that very message via literature, personal encounters, references, and so on.
Q: "Do potential clients talk themselves out of Training before we get that open discussion. What if potential clients feel they have to already be at a certain level of fitness before working with a trainer? Do potential clients fear Trainers? Do they feel that the workout will be too difficult?"
A: Yes. To all of the above.
Q: "How do we dispell the myth that Personal Trainers aren't in the business of hurting people, Boot Camp style with all clients?"
A: Be active in the community of your current client base. If its at the gym or around town, If people see you drill instructing people then thats what they feel their training will be like. Don't be afraid to put YOUR message out their. If your goal is to dispell this myth then start reaching people with that very message via literature, personal encounters, references, and so on.
1
It's all about the trainer!!
A trainer who has a positive, friendly attitude is a start! Most of the job is pleasing the client, like it or not.
Knowledge is probably the most important professional aspect of the job other than a great personality. Like Joanne said, no one questions the value of a nurse or physical therapist. Letting others know that you do your research and you have a working knowledge of body systems and motivation, etc, is probably the best way to be seen as a professional.
Know what you're talking about and act like you know what you're talking about without being a snob OR a pushover.
As a personal trainer, the GREATEST service you can offer to the profession, in my opinion, is letting EVERYONE know that personal training isn't just for people who "need" it. The benefits and knowledge gained from hiring a great trainer can last a lifetime. Everyone could use a personal trainer! Even personal trainers need other personal trainers to learn from! =)
A trainer who has a positive, friendly attitude is a start! Most of the job is pleasing the client, like it or not.
Knowledge is probably the most important professional aspect of the job other than a great personality. Like Joanne said, no one questions the value of a nurse or physical therapist. Letting others know that you do your research and you have a working knowledge of body systems and motivation, etc, is probably the best way to be seen as a professional.
Know what you're talking about and act like you know what you're talking about without being a snob OR a pushover.
As a personal trainer, the GREATEST service you can offer to the profession, in my opinion, is letting EVERYONE know that personal training isn't just for people who "need" it. The benefits and knowledge gained from hiring a great trainer can last a lifetime. Everyone could use a personal trainer! Even personal trainers need other personal trainers to learn from! =)
0
educate the gym members with bulletin boards, emails, news letters, and whatever you can to to reach out and dispel any fallacies that gym goers might believe. Conduct a survey about barriers to entry into personal training and find out what they are really thinking.
0
I believe that this question is more generic at heart than you would think. If I have the means to purchase something yet choose not to, then it is usually because I do not perceive the value of it for myself.
This assessment can derive from a a multitude of reasons.
A person may not want to tie herself down to exercising at a certain pre-determined time and have a 24 hour cancellation policy on top.
S/he may have observed trainers and found their style not to their liking. This is particularly true if a trainer seems to approach all clients in a similar fashion.
New members get often three sessions with a personal trainer at a gym. I often observed that this results in the same exercise program for every single person. I would see no value in that for myself.
Sometimes trainers try to be spectacular, and they may even be lucky enough to have a client who wants that kind of training. If you cannot neutralize that style with a completely different one for another person, a portential client could get a wrong impression.
In addition to that, a person may have been warned of personal trainers. I know of physical therapists that do so, and I also know of trainers that deserve it. For a lay person, a personal trainer is a personal trainer. They don't know the difference.
You can dispel many of those assessments by demonstrating that you can do better than that.
This assessment can derive from a a multitude of reasons.
A person may not want to tie herself down to exercising at a certain pre-determined time and have a 24 hour cancellation policy on top.
S/he may have observed trainers and found their style not to their liking. This is particularly true if a trainer seems to approach all clients in a similar fashion.
New members get often three sessions with a personal trainer at a gym. I often observed that this results in the same exercise program for every single person. I would see no value in that for myself.
Sometimes trainers try to be spectacular, and they may even be lucky enough to have a client who wants that kind of training. If you cannot neutralize that style with a completely different one for another person, a portential client could get a wrong impression.
In addition to that, a person may have been warned of personal trainers. I know of physical therapists that do so, and I also know of trainers that deserve it. For a lay person, a personal trainer is a personal trainer. They don't know the difference.
You can dispel many of those assessments by demonstrating that you can do better than that.
0
The way you (or any of us for that matter) can dispel myths, rumors, untruths etc. is by "doing," and by "telling." We need to be able to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk. I agree with much of what has already been said by other posters. You/we can demonstrate that these kind of ideas are untrue through working with your clients as individuals (meaning that we administer "individually designed" workouts that are designed to address the specific goals/needs for each of our clients, and for each of their sessions). People observe what we are doing as trainers whether we're aware of it or not, and so by seeing this, they quickly begin to realize that you treat your clients as individuals. They also observe your interactions with your clients (e.g. does the client appear to be having fun? are they challenged? are you engaged with them? etc.).
When supported by your genuine interest in them as an individual when/if you speak with them, you can quickly and easily dispel any myths they may have about the whole training and trainer experience.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
When supported by your genuine interest in them as an individual when/if you speak with them, you can quickly and easily dispel any myths they may have about the whole training and trainer experience.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com
0
As with any and all professions, there are those that embody success and dedication just as there are those that convey laziness and incompetence.
The success of the trainer will largely be attributed to confidence; not to be mistaken for arrogance. A confident trainer will be so through effective preparation in attaining quality knowledge, staying abreast on all new topics (especially being in an industry that changes daily), while having a lot of opportunity to work with people and actually care about them, their interests, their goals, and their overall livelihood.
A great personal trainer will be able to sell themselves to the watchful eye of new gym patrons by the way they conduct themselves and their business within their gym setting, the parking lot, and throughout the community.
The success of the trainer will largely be attributed to confidence; not to be mistaken for arrogance. A confident trainer will be so through effective preparation in attaining quality knowledge, staying abreast on all new topics (especially being in an industry that changes daily), while having a lot of opportunity to work with people and actually care about them, their interests, their goals, and their overall livelihood.
A great personal trainer will be able to sell themselves to the watchful eye of new gym patrons by the way they conduct themselves and their business within their gym setting, the parking lot, and throughout the community.
0
Some potential clients are weary of trainers because of their build. No potential clients will be interested in a trainer that doesn't look the part or is in shape. A proficient trainer's enthusiasm will show in his or her technique (i.e., sales or demonstration of exercises). Also no potential client wants a trainer that does not possess concern for their individual needs. A trainer is also a therapist.
