and how can a behavioural contract assist in exercise adherence

A behavioral contract is an agreement between a client and trainer that states what the client will do to reach a certain goal. They are usually mutually discussed and agreed upon points.

They assist in exercise adherence, as the client knows exactly what is expected of them. They have participated in the process of creating the steps that will lead them to that goal and are therefore more likely to complete those tasks as they are tasks they know are achievable or they would not have agreed to them. (Or that’s at least how I set them up with clients. They should be a challenge, but achievable. Afterall we want to set them up for success, then increase the challenge once they’ve achieved it. Building skill, confidence and leading them toward their overall goal.) Most of the time the contracts are signed and people are more apt to keep to a set of goals or tasks when they’ve signed their name to it. Their reputation is on the line.