How to Be an Empathetic Personal Trainer

New beginnings. When Patty Shoaf first met Barbara 19 years ago,
she realized quickly that this would be a client like no other. “I
arrived for a consult at her house and a classy, high-heeled,
67-year-old woman wearing a skirt walked in,” Shoaf recalls.

The two developed an immediate connection and began to discuss Barbara’s
health history and her level of interest in and experience with
exercise. “I learned that she was blind in her left eye and that she had
peripheral neuropathy. At the time, I was a new trainer and this was a
new term to me.”

Shoaf also discovered that Barbara had never exercised a day in her
life. The client was admittedly apprehensive because she didn’t like the
thought of exercise, but knew that she needed to move more. Shoaf
assured Barbara that she was in for a fun experience.

Observations. At the outset of the program—which took place in
Barbara’s home—Shoaf eschewed formal assessments. She decided that a
battery of tests would only create more anxiety. “I simply put together
a set program, starting with a general warm-up on a NordicTrack® skier
machine,” she says. “Once we warmed up, we went into a variety of moves,
using a Swiss ball—she has been a superstar with this from the
beginning—some light hand weights and a chair.”

Eventually, the two decided to move the training sessions into the gym.

Hidden problems. During one session, Barbara told Shoaf that she
had experienced some chest pain and had undergone a variety of tests but
none revealed any problems. Despite the medical assessments and test
results, Shoaf couldn’t shake her concern and became even more watchful
of her client. “One day the chest pain became so intense that I told
Barbara I would take her home, but she insisted on driving herself,”
says Shoaf. “A few hours later, I received a phone call saying she
needed quadruple bypass surgery.”

Shoaf believes this is a prime example of why personal trainers need to
rely on gut feelings when working with clients. “Sometimes being
intuitive with your training can be a better answer to long-term success
when training individuals with many ailments,” states Shoaf.

Victories. Barbara recovered from the surgery, and the duo
continue to train together.

“We still follow a similar exercise order, but now things move a little
slower,” notes Shoaf. “We’ve learned how to walk with a cane; we’ve
learned how to walk properly with a walker. We continue to work on
simply getting up and down out of a chair. We do balance exercises, but
based on the day, these don’t always work.”

Shoaf recalls one of Barbara’s most inspiring moments. “In January 2012,
she handed me a brochure for the Great Human Race—a local 5K—and said,
‘I want to train for this.’”

Shoaf consented and augmented training sessions to include walking
around the building using a walker or, if Barbara’s feet were willing,
exercising on the treadmill.

“When race day came, we had a large support group to help Barbara
through the event,” Shoaf says. “With the rain coming down, her family
and myself at her side and her walker in front of her, we completed the
5K.” They didn’t complete the course in the allotted time, but the race
facilitators kept the banner up until they passed the finish line.
“Again, the ‘Can-Do’ belief was present, and Barbara took this and
literally ran with it!”

Pushing past challenges. “Our biggest issue today is Barbara’s
lack of mobility. Working with clients like Barbara requires patience,
humility, caring and a true listening ear. Sometimes just hearing a
cheerful voice and seeing a smiling face is enough to keep the body and
spirit moving.”

Despite Barbara’s slowed pace, Shoaf insists that her spirit remains
vibrant. “She has many ailments that would make most people stay in
bed—but not Barbara. She gets up each day, puts a smile on her face and
tries to create a beautiful picture.” n