Becoming a health and fitness trainer means becoming much more than just an authority on the best exercise and fitness techniques. It also means becoming a motivating presence, someone who can convince clients of the value of the activity they’re carrying out. Motivation will breed application, and lead to observable results for those whom you work with. Here are some good techniques for motivating clients throughout your career.
Those Who Have Finished Fitness and Health Promotion Training Know Goals Are Crucial
Charting progress and setting goals are key to feeling motivated. Training can be a time-consuming and physically demanding process. Regardless of whether the client is at the very beginning stages of a physical exercise regime, or already has achieved considerable progress and is looking to push themselves further, the simple dynamic of “What have I got out of what I put in?” will always be at work.
Looking for dramatic changes and physical improvements after an indeterminate amount of time is a recipe for disappointment and losing motivation. Instead, a professional should use their knowledge of human physiology, as well as their client’s physique and personal preferences, diet options, and available time and resources to produce a schedule of expected results. This provides a route map to success for the client and will allow small, motivating wins to become part of the overall process.
Grads of Fitness and Health School Know That Keeping up Communication Is Vital
Every professional should seek to develop a productive, honest, and understanding relationship with each client. As a graduate of fitness and health school progresses in their career, striking the best tone to match the client will soon become second nature. This begins with the initial goal-setting conversation, which can serve as a touchstone throughout the process while setting the tone for a relationship that’s build on communication.
Keeping lines of communication open helps to build a more rewarding routine
Ensuring an open atmosphere for communication will allow for feedback on every aspect of training and instruction. It can be very dispiriting for a client who is working hard and applying themselves to feel like their concerns or questions are not being heard or taken seriously. If a certain exercise is causing discomfort, or if a client is not seeing results in the area they were hoping for, this should be passed on. This will allow for adjustments and refinements to the routine, and better allow clients to feel part of an inclusive process that is reactive to their priorities.
Varying Activities and Techniques Is a Great Way to Help Clients Stay Focused and Engaged
Professionals with fitness or health promotion training know a workout is designed to have a beneficial effect on the physical bodies of clients. However, the important mental aspect of working out must also be kept in mind. Should a routine remain too static for too long, it can begin to wear on the mind of the client—who may begin to find it unchallenging or simply too repetitive.
Changing up a workout routine can help clients stay mentally applied
Research has shown that introducing variety to a workout can considerably increase adherence. By changing up the sequence of activities, machines used, or specific techniques employed, a routine can easily be freshened up. Many instructors may even seek to cherry-pick from very different forms of exercise, in order to provide a highly varied experience for their clients. Being able to deliver a routine with a good degree of variation—while still within the capabilities of the client—will help to encourage both engagement and mental satisfaction as the work is done.
Do you want to help others achieve their fitness ambitions?
If so, contact Medix College today to learn about the career benefits of fitness consultant courses .
