With the Holidays and cold weather come sweet treats, extra hearty meals and extra calories. Both you and your clients have put in months of hard work creating and executing an exercise prescription. As a personal trainer it is your job to hold your clients accountable without being a diet drill sergeant.
Here are five tips for motivating your clients over the Holidays.
Be Consistent: Family gatherings, work parties and gift exchanges can easily cause clients to bump the gym from their over-busy schedules. Illness and winter weather conditions may also contribute to a lack of consistency. For this reason, be sure to schedule appointments consistently, make confirmation calls and reschedule immediately if necessary. Do not let clients become indolent and their workouts fall idle.
Sneaky Treats: Clients don’t want to be told to “eat more broccoli” during the Holidays. As their fitness guru, teach them the importance of indulging without over-indulging. Hold them accountable by providing education and awareness to common holiday nutrition pitfalls. One cookie is fine, but it will take more than a walk around the mall to burn off a whole batch.
Holiday Party Buzz: With office parties and New Year’s toasts, a quick health education on alcohol may be necessary For many clients, abstaining may not be an option. Encourage them to drink two glasses of water for every cocktail and put a limit to the number of drinks consumed each week.
Kick it Off: New Year’s Resolutions can be daunting — don’t allow your clients (or other gym members) to set themselves up for failure. Celebrate the success of your current clients and together set goals for the New Year. As a trainer, this is the time to build your book — make yourself available, be seen training and encouraging your clients and offer a complimentary session (including small groups, half hours and partner sessions) to those you see struggling.
Have Fun: Keep clients excited and engaged with a 2015-themed session that consists of 20 seconds high intensity; 15 seconds low to moderate intensity. Base the strength training on muscular endurance, alternating between 20 reps and 15 reps of each exercise. If they’re not having fun, they will absolutely find an excuse to cancel.
Lauren Pecora is a personal training director at Meridian Fitness & Wellness in Brick, New Jersey.
