What are the must things to do as a trainer to make the training experience a 5 star experience for my clients.
Hi Sizwe. Here are just a few of the “things” that I would suggest. Be “present” and in the moment for the entire time that you are working with your client! This means having good listening and other “communication” skills (e.g. talking, showing, watching). Show a genuine interest in your client as a person. Show your client (through your body language, facial expressions, voice) that you are truly engaged and enjoying the training experience with them (this will go a long way to making your client feel the same way – enthusiasm is infectious!). Read and learn as much as you can (from reputable sources of course 🙂 so that you are as knowledgeable as you can be.
I hope that this is helpful.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness[email protected]
Hello Sizwe,
This is what I find effective.
1. Build rapport early with all your clients.
2. Through appreciative inquiry and motivational interviewing find out who they want to become as far as their wellness and fitness goals are concerned.
4. Be a GREAT listener.
5. Brainstorm goals with your clients that they personally own and coach them to fufilling them.
6. Don’t give them the answers to their wellness and fitness dilemmas help them find their own answers. This will empower them.
7. Do you part in helping them become intelligent consumers of your services. This will do loads to generate referrals.
8. Always have a positive attitude.
Sizwe,
The personal training experience is about personal relationships and the way you create a 5 star experience is by building a strong professional relationship built on trust and that you care about them and their goals. This is done by…
1. Helping them set their goals: When you meet a new client they may say something general like, “I want to shed some pounds and get in better shape.” What exactly does that mean? What do they need it for? For dropping blood pressure? Reducing LDL cholesterol or triglycerides, or do they want to imporve what they see in the mirror (for me, most common). If the latter is true then it will not just be about losing weight. It will also be about muscle tone, which may cause you to change your exercise prescription. The other thing that comes out of working together to set goals is client empowerment. They will feel as though they have more control over the situation and are more likely to ahdere to the behaviors necessary fo them to achieve their goals when you are not around.
2. Helping your client reach their goals: This is why they came to you, because if they could achieve them on their own without paying you…They would. Once they start achieving they buy in to you more and more.
3. Be prepared for your job. This means be organized (have your workout or new progressions ready), be prompt, be ready to motivate and have energy. If you are training at 5am and you are always groggy in the morning then drink some coffee and wake up, because they may be as tired as you and clients do feed off their trainers energy. If you are like me and are more technical and less motivational, throughout the workout check technique and make necessary connections. Ask for feedback on exercises, where are they feeling the exercise, does it bother their back, knees, wrists, etc.
4. Listen to your clients. Many of my clients consider their workout time with me the only time they have to themselves, and if they have a lot going on in their lives (spouses, children, parents, in-laws, work, house, etc.) some if not all will confide in you. As much of this job is about psychology as exercise.
5. Honesty: Whatever adversity comes up for them in the process, tell them the truth. If they are not losing weight because they are not following the plan you both laid out, tell them. If you make a mistake dont be afraid to admit it, no one is perfect.
Sorry about the length
TJ Booe
[email protected]
http://blog.ideafit.com/blogs/thomas-booe-jr