What do you tell clients to do if they can’t stay motivated to workout?
If a client is having difficulty finding motivation to workout, I first ask if it has to do with their schedule, energy level, or mental state. Training is not always about knowing how to train, but rather knowing how to connect with someone on an emotional level and understanding human psychology to an extent. As a trainer, we are already self-motivated. We were either born with the gift of discipline or found it later in life. Some people, for example, with ADHD have difficulty completing any task and therefore, may never be able to stick with a strict program of any sort. I think if, as a trainer, we get to know our clients, their habits, strengths and weaknesses, we can truly provide each and every client with their appropriate plan to achieve their goals.
Some ideas might be…
1. Get some silicone wristbands that say “Make time for Fitness” as a reminder.
2. Provide the client with a chart that includes a checklist of things he/she completed that day (can be for things like getting sufficient cardio each day, drinking enough water, staying away from simple carbs, etc.). A psychiatrist friend of mine said charts can do amazing things for helping people stay on task.
3. Reward your clients. Staying on track is HARD! Your clients need that extra motivation every now and then.