How do you motivate someone to workout, when you're not training them?

By challenging them to "do something" when we're not training together; providing them some examples of the "something to do," and then by asking them to check in with me to let me know what they've "done." Prior to all of this of course, if I've been paying attention to my client and their specific "motivations," I have a pretty good idea of what buttons to push to get them energized.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I didn't have time to read the other responses so this may have already been mentioned. Have them train FOR something. Not just asthetics, an activity, event, or sport. It can be as protocol as basketball or as random as hacky-sack. The important thing is they need to be able to see themselves develope at it. Something that drives people to work hard at anything is noticing improvement at it along the way. May have to try a bit of everything till you find it but eventually you will.

Lisa, it is really difficult to motivate someone to change a behavior (as in the case of your client, walk on the treadmill, watch music videos, etc) if you are not aware of what stage of behavior change the client is in.

Your client may very well be in the action stage as far as engaging in physical activity while she is training with you is concerned, but be in different stage of behavior change as far as engaging the physical activity by herself is concerned.

I encourage you to do some research or take a course on Prochaska's and DiClemente's Stages of change model. Learn it well apply it with your clients and you will see how much it will help raise your game as far as being a personal trainer is concerned.

I wish you success with your clients!

Exercise and working out might not be the first step for someone who needs excessive amounts of motivation to workout. For overweight and obese clients I work with I generally do not recommend exercise right away. Most people are not going to adapt to a lifestyle of exercise from being completely sedentary. I would recommend at looking at physical activity levels and try to increase them. Also, look at a client or patients time in sedentary pursuits and try to substitute that time for active activities that are tailored to the clients lifestyle (gardening, cooking, playing with kids etc) As you progress and notice a change, implementing exercise will become easier and motivation will be easier to obtain. I strongly believe in this method and it really ensures a steady and excellent progression for client to benefit maximally.

Fuel the Movement
JM

Motivation is a tricky thing. It's not something tangible that you can give somebody; it's really not even something you can teach i.e., to be more motivated.

While I applaud your effort to suggest ways for them to be more physically active, when they're not with you, they need something less abstract than that; people that lack the intrinsic pull or desire to be physically active need specific direction, guidance, and some realistic guarantee of a pay off e.g., enlist the support and company of a neighbor or friend to go for a walk after dinner. They'll definitely feel better for the digestion aid, oxygen to the brain, social aspect. You may need to write these things down for them i.e., give them a weekly schedule of physical activities they can do: when, where, for how long, with who...Essentially spell it out for them. And then check off what they've done when you see them next. Discuss how they felt...

I believe I wrote this in another response: the difference between suggesting "doing something else to workout/get exercise" and simply moving one's body (walking to the corner store to get milk, going dancing with friends, etc..) is more than semantic; people have an image, feeling, and/or association with each. Sadly, the latter is a foreign concept to a lot of people I encounter. Our culture seems to have lost the appreciation for moving, just for the sake of moving and the enjoyment (and potential rush or bliss) of it.

Ultimately, individuals need to know why they've started on a particular path: if they are coming to you (even infrequently), they realize there is something of value to the commitment. What you need to do is constantly remind them of the specific things they have told you about how they want to feel, look, think, perform, and achieve...and then remind them again, and again, and again! Always link everything you do with them to the feeling or accomplishment they want.

Hope this helps.

Motivation is an art. How would you motivate this client to workout while not in your presence?
We want to empower not encourage dependency. Know your client. Know her history, what she likes and enjoys, what she hates and abhors. Be creative, and be a detective, listen for cues.
Also understand that some clients choose to use you as their reason to show up. If that works for you, and them, and it is healthy, accept it.

Lisa,

You've asked one of the all-time great questions. How do I get somebody to play football if they don't want to play football? I love all of the intricately woven answers. The answer is that your client doesn't give a hoot. So, you know what, just let her/him go on his/her way. We would love them to behave in a certain way. But it will never happen.

Just accept that some things you have to take as the way of the world.