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Ask a health and fitness-related question and receive answers from fitness experts and professionals
Home » IDEA Answers » Is metabolism being properly discussed with clients?
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Question asked by Kurt Gillon 2527 days ago

Is metabolism being properly discussed with clients?

I hear many discussions and reading several articles regarding metabolism and client training, specifically, using the "MST" Metabolism Scare Tactic to sell training. When discussing Metabolism with clients do you also explain the concept and need of determing their "BMR" Basil Metabolic Rate as well.

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Answers (7)

Answered by Michael Saiz 2527 days ago
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Hello Kurt,
I don't think anyone should be "scared" into hiring a Personal Trainer. If a sensible/knowledgable discussion takes place, then it's a win-win for the client and trainer. I briefly discuss metabolism with all my clients and have included this video on my site for their viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kv_VFe65Y88

Sincerely,
Michael
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Answered by Karin Singleton 2527 days ago
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I am in the happy position of having a device with which I can actually measure a clients basic metabolic rate. If course, it is a discussion I have with clients, particularly those who want to lose weight, even though I like to educate my clients in general about the way their bodies function.

Fortunately, I have my own studio and do not have to listen to sales pitches for personal training. I hate it when people use big words to clobber people into buying things. It de-values the product in my opinion.
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Answered by Stephen Landrum 2527 days ago
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MST!? There's a name for this sh-stuff, is there a manual? Anyhow; Yes, I think metabolism is being discussed quite frequently between provider and client. Usually I see the language condensed and spoke in analogies (Endo/Meso/Ecto-morph, or "..like a furnace") but its diffinitely there. I personally cover BMR with my clients, enough to show number ranges. Its got science behind it in various different studies, and science is good.
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Answered by LaRue Cook 2527 days ago
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Hi Kurt. I like to use common analogies to describe things that may be more difficult concepts for our clients to grasp - not that they can't grasp them, but after all the basis of "real communication" is to actually get people to understand what you are trying to communicate and to speak in terms that the listen can relate to.

I've found common analogies to be very useful there. I talk about metabolism and burning calories in terms of an automobile and burning fuel (hey, after all, our bodies ARE a machine right?). Speeding up metabolism equals driving the car faster and burning more gasoline etc. When the smile comes on my clients' faces, and they can articulate or explain what I've told them, I know that I've communicated well.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
larue.cook@lecfitness.com
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Answered by Sue D'Alonzo 2527 days ago
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I discuss it if it's impacting my clients success: if they are not eating enough pre workout or if they use " my metabolism" is slowing down as an excuse I will bring it up to them and explain in a bit more detail about metabolism but I would not and never have used it as a way to get a client!

Again, we need to stay within our scope of practice
Scaring someone into training is not a good tactic!
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Answered by Bryant Seton 2434 days ago
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I can understand this tactic, but I would say going about it in a different way would be better.

You do want to sell your services. You are the professional, and you need to get that across. You wouldn't sell strength training to the elderly, and you wouldn't sell therapy/longevity to an experienced athlete.

You need to categorize the possible client, what they want from the gym, and sell it to them. It can be easily seen as a "scare tactic", but in essence that is what it is.

When it comes to metabolism, I would say that as trainers its our job to make ourselves obsolete, and that is where education comes in. With clients, I explain what I am having them do, why they are doing it, and how it can help them attain their goal.
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Answered by Martin Petrofes 1428 days ago
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Just for clarification, it is basal metabolic rate. And in general, I do not spend much time explaining this to clients. I usually gauge how much information to discuss with clients by their feedback and interest.
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