How do you remain energized so you do not experience professional burn out?
I know a lot of trainers and fitness instructors who focus on training so many clients, that they ignore their own personal need to stay healthy and excited about teaching/training. It would be great to know what other fitness professionals do to stay excited and energized about working with their clients.
I like to always make sure I block off an hour or 2 in the middle of the day that is MY time to workout and I dont let anything interupt that. I treat it as if it were an appointment with a client. If you can’t get motivated about helping your clients lose weight or achieve their goals day in and day out you might be in the wrong profession! So if you have trouble motivating yourself just thing of how excited your clients get when they get results!
I am constantly reading new articles and watching DVD’s to get new program and coaching ideas. My clients enjoy the change and I’m excited when I try something new. I also change my workout routine to include some of the challenging workouts I’ve designed for my clients. It helps me gauge the intensity of a workout and how it might be modified.
I have been a physical therapist x 25 yrs, personal trainer/pilates instructor for over 10 yrs. and have my own business. I take time to pursue personal hobbies unrelated to PT/fitness, get together with family/friends who rarely discuss health/fitness etc. and also spend time being active and concentrate on physical activities that I truly enjoy, primarily, such as leisure bike riding; though also put in time with high calorie burning activities/functional ex. to incorporate UE/LE ex simultaneously to make my own workouts very efficient, since I have so little time. The more I feel like a complete person, it enables me to give 100% to my clients if I have taken care of myself. I also read/update myself, get new books etc, take l course a year to remain current.
1) workout or get a massage for YOURSELF, or do something for your body once a day
2) go to group fitness classes or trainer seminars/conventions
3) get a new client! It is exciting and new to meet new clients… one new face a month (even for a few meetings or a referral, if it’s not a long-term client)