Do you incorporate spiritual atonement into some of your training? How is it received?
For many of us, being fit offers a personal high which is borderline spiritual. Being thankful for your body and its ability to perform is also spiritual. Do you ever engage in the spirit of fitness with your clients in addition to the technique? What do they think of it? (not so much a question for yoga or similar practices. more generalized fitness).
I only go as far as a mind/body connection. Yes, there have been times when a client – despondent for whatever reason – needed more of a shoulder to lean on than a dumbbell to lift. I may then go the ‘we have so much to be thankful for’ route, if applicable, but I certainly avoid any religious over- or undertones.
As a professional, I never get too involved in my cilents’ lives.
That may sound a little contradictory, but there is a good reason for maintaining a professional relationship. As a personal trainer, it’s my job to make sure a client is getting what he/she needs to be able to take ownership of his/her program. It’s OK to offer some support, but I have to be very careful about how I’m going about it. I usually won’t say anything beyond, “I’m so sorry” or something along those lines. Sometimes it’s best to let people just talk it out for themselves.
I’m no psychotherapist. I’d love to be able to be a close friend to my clients, but as a professional, I simply cannot. Most people appreciate it when you can take a hard line with them.
