The specific reasons why people look to hire personal trainers are just as varied as the people seeking trainers. But the deep-rooted motivations are pretty basic. As a trainer, motivator and coach we need to look deeper at the reasons why a person is seeing a trainer, and how we respond to each of these people.
1. Desperation. This person has tried everything in the book for weight loss (i.e. fad diets, crazy workouts) and now they are desperate to see sustainable results. We need to treat this person with empathy and positive motivation through micro achievements. These people tend to focus on major changes and huge results. We need to have them in a positive group session that is consistent and will hold them accountable if they stop early, or if they do not see immediate results and get discouraged.
2. Competition. These people are competitive and need a challenge or they won’t be happy. Putting them with a small group that has metrics and measurable achievement is the way to go.
3. Lack of knowledge. This person has no prior exercise experience or any idea of how to begin an exercise program. While this may seem like the easiest one to deal with, we need to do a lot of education about the body and how exercise affects the body. We need to also motivate these people with measurable goals to show progress and achievement. Regularly structured workouts they perform with consistent personal training appointments to teach and advance them will be necessary.
4. Accountability. If they do not have an appointment or a class to attend they simply won’t come to the gym. These people need to have a reason to come to the gym and whether that is an appointment, class or financial motivation (pre-paid session they will forfeit or be charged for a no-show session) there needs to be a consequence should they not come. There must be a consequence for either missing or skipping workouts, because that is what keeps them coming in.
Vic Spatola is a fitness industry veteran and personal training consultant. For more information email v4victoryconsult@gmail.com.
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Vic Spatola is the director of personal training at Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club. He also does personal training business consulting. Contact him at: v4victoryconsult@gmail.com.
