I have a client who trains with other trainers on the weekends. How do I ensure she is getting a well rounded program?
I work in a corporate fitness facility that is only open M-F and I am not allowed to train outdoors on weekends due to liability reasons. My client is very aggressive with her weight loss goals, and after a few months with me she decided to add a "bonus trainer" to meet with her on Saturdays. How in the world do I make sure she is getting a well rounded program and plan our workouts properly? This other trainer has an expired cert and is having her do things I don't agree with. Help!
keep an open communication with her and stay on top the workouts she does with you with you. Teach her the correct way and make sure she doesn’t do anything that will injure her. As for the other trainer, all you can do is to keep talking to your client and make her be aware of any bad exercises that are not good for her. Eventually she will see the difference of experience and professionalism between you and the other trainer.
Tough situation. It is extremely important for trainers to coordinate what they are doing in these types of settings. Recovery is absolutely necessary and if you don’t know what is happening on the other days of the week, it could be a recipe for injury/poor results. You should attempt to contact the other trainer with the client’s permission of course.
I hope this works out well for you.
Hi Andrea,
Wow, what a tough situation!
You can only control what happens with your clients. Everything the other trainer does is his/her responsibility.
An exception: when the other trainers ‘programming’ interferes with your session.
You can talk with your client if the other trainer ‘recommends’ or does exercises you think are not safe. Emphasize why you think something is not safe and if anything else can be used; demeaning the other trainer can backfire-your client may actually defend the trainer with the expired certification!
Hope you are able to deal with this situation!
I second Daniel – communication among the three of you is of utmost importance.
Heike Yates
www.heylifetraining.com
Ask her to describe the exercises she does with the other trainer so that you can help make her program more appropriate when you do see her.
Mac Dodds
www.healthynation.biz
[email protected]