How do you handle clients who set unrealistic goals?
So many people go to trainers in hopes of losing an unrealistic amount of weight in such a short time. TV makes it look like it can happen within weeks! When the client is unable to reach that goal they are disappointed, naturally. What do you trainers do to help a client understand this is a lifestyle change and will not happen overnight?
I agree with Susan above. A major part of my initial consultation and assessment is defining and establishing “goals.” If during this initial consultation my perspective client is presenting with unreasonable goals, I try my best to get them to rein in their expectations and to redefine what they are hoping to accomplish, or at least the time-frame that they hope to reach the goal(s) in. If that does not work, and they are insistent on the unreasonable goal, I will not take them on as a client. In my opinion, my taking on a client that has already told me of their unreasonable goals, goals that I KNOW are unattainable and unrealistic, would be unethical and not good business practice.
LaRue Cook, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
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