How do you get your clients to participate in leisure time activities? Or what do you think would motivate them?
I would like to know how you do or think you could get clients or participants to participate in leisure time activities. I am not looking for exercise but more along the lines of cleaning, gardening, playing with children, etc. Also what kind of leisure activities to you encourage your clients to do?
Hi Jessica,
count me out when it comes to cleaning and gardening! But I know what you mean.
What I do most often when I want my clients to become more active outside of ‘formal’ exercises is to provide them with a step counter and give them a step per day goal. I found that working very well because step counters illustrate how inactive many people are in the course of a day. It also makes a great point that parking the car a little further or taking the stairs actually does add up.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Hi Jessica. People (including our clients) do things (including leisure activities) that interest THEM. So, no amount of coaching, cajoling or convincing will get someone to do something in their ‘leisure time’ that they are not interested in. In my opinion, as their trainer or even just a friend, the best we can do is help our client/friend explore in their own minds what things interest them.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]
I have found that once my clients begin enjoying the benefits and results of “exercise” they actually start looking for more physical things to do
Many times I will suggest ideas to them, if they ask, or I will encourage them to “get outside today for 30 minutes” . I will also listen for pieces of enthusiasm when they discuss certain activities they have done and I will encourage them to pursue their passions.
Ultimately it is totally up to them to decide what they enjoy doing!
Hello Jessica,
Gardening, playing with children and walking the dogs…that’s easy…for me, because I enjoy it. Clients do what they enjoy, which are all very different activities: hunt, fish, boat, walk, run, hike, bike, skate, split wood, etc.
I encourage food gardening for stress relief and super healthy, tasty food. Doing anything outside is good for the body and soul.
Take care.