First Workout w/ a new client

[Bupp]

I've just started as a trainer and after my first training session with my first client he decided not to continue training with a personal trainer. Off the top of my head a couple things that I'm considering are that:

1) He couldn't actually afford to train w/ a trainer and only signed up because our sales people are very aggressive.
2) I did a crap job (I definitely pushed him way too hard - I'm used to working out w/ atheletes not untrained people in their late 20's-mid 30's
3) I didn't spend very much time at the beginning of the session going over his goals and what he wanted out of a training program

I really want to get good at being a trainer and I think it starts with putting together an effective first session. What does your first session with a client look like?

[Aoife]

I'm not a trainer, but a client.
My first session with my fav trainer was a quick body assessment, a talk about my goals, experience, what I'm willing to do (amount of time I'm willing to spend), eating, and then what I expect from him (I wanted him to write programs for me, run through the first one and then gimme a new one in a few weeks. I didn't want a training buddy to count my reps.) Then we worked out and he killed me. But, I quite literally asked for it. He was testing my limits and abilities. He would not have been so harsh to anyone else. I have a big mouth.

Just in case you were interested in the experience from this side of the barbell.

[LisaS]

Maybe if you tell us what you did and said you'd get more feedback on how to be effective.

What were your specific goals for that first session with a client? Did you meet those goals? Did you tell the client what the goals were before you started? Did you set a proper expectation for the session with the client?

Did you want to make that client a repeat client of yours or were you just fulfilling the assignment of "deliver 1 free PT session for newly signed-up person"?

What is your background in training? Were you taught anything in that background about a first meeting?

Did you generally and genuinely approach the session as a professional?

[Ian Kay]

Well the fact that you are aware that something went wrong, and are able to pinpoint a few mistakes you made is a good sign.

I've only been training a handful of years compared to some guys like JP or Cosgrove, etc. but one thing I've definitely learned is that you have to roll with the punches and adapt to each client individually. Until you really get a solid system for dealing with clients, you're going to come up with something each session that didn't go quite like you wanted it to.

Other than understanding the body and exercise, the most important thing you need to do is get on the same page as your client. You have to know exactly what they want and they have to know exactly what you are offering. After this first step, you have to get a gauge of what they are capable of, and they should get a good picture of how you work. If you don't bridge those gaps, they'll either struggle for results or just walk away from you.

Imagine trying to learn a single-leg deadlift for the first time, but the whole time you are wondering (a) why my left side was so easy, but on my right I feel like a I'm pulling a circus act, but my trainer said everything is fine... but it doesn't feel fine! (b) wondering if the trainer really understands what you are looking for, because why the hell am I balancing on one foot if I want to get 'toned'? and (c) I feel like I'm gonna puke because I haven't done anything in over a year and now I've done 200 reps in the first half hour.



Anyway, communication is HUGE. It's a good thing you already noticed it!

[GqArtguy]

The thing is that I dont train people, I coach. So I explain to them the what/why/how in comprehensible terms and show how its all integrated that way they get random thoughts like Ian posted.

Ive been doing this long enough to know what the consensus is regarding an exercise, Ive done them myself so I can know, and Ive done enough watching and reading to know what stuff is supposed to look like. Thus when someone does something, right afterwards Im like 'ok so you probably felt X on this side' and theyre like 'OMG youre right. Thats exactly what I was thinking/feeling!' When you can do that, they know they can get past you and they know you know what youre doing.

[gtanak]

Many great responses!! Ahhhhh, I remember my first session (4 years ago) and I was nervous as hell!! The main thing I learned along the way (and still learning!!!) is it's not about wowing the client with different exercises or a hard workout or fancy words, but the ability to make a connection with the client by being honest and straight-forward getting to the root of their goal, and mapping out a plan with them (not just doing all the talking) and, like Gq said, coach them, explain the hows and why's. I remember my first few times, I talked waaaay too much, it's not about the trainer, the session is about the client and finding out how you can help them. I've made tons of mistakes along the way, and probably am going to make many more, but the main thing is just learn from them and improve on your abilities, if this is your passion. Like I've found out, you've come to the right place! Hope this helps!

[Jean-Paul]

BUPP, welcome to the forum!

You've gotten some good advice so far.

First, the "can't afford to continue" excuse is just that... If they were having fun and making progress they would find a way to continue. Don't feel bad. I've gotten that excuse too.

You may be on to something with over training your client. It is so easy to kill someone in the gym. The sign of a good trainer is someone who knows how to give the client a good workout without crippling them for the rest of the week.

I'm also curious what your routine was like. Can you put a few workouts on this thread?

The good sign is that you want to be a good trainer, and that you don't mind laying it all out there and asking for help. When I hire trainers that is one of the traits that I look for. Anyone with that desire can be trained.

Stick around this forum. We're always happy to pick up a new trainer in here.

[Keith S.]

Originally Posted by GqArtguy

The thing is that I dont train people, I coach. So I explain to them the what/why/how in comprehensible terms and show how its all integrated that way they get random thoughts like Ian posted.

Ive been doing this long enough to know what the consensus is regarding an exercise, Ive done them myself so I can know, and Ive done enough watching and reading to know what stuff is supposed to look like. Thus when someone does something, right afterwards Im like 'ok so you probably felt X on this side' and theyre like 'OMG youre right. Thats exactly what I was thinking/feeling!' When you can do that, they know they can get past you and they know you know what youre doing.

GQ:

Excellent post. While I've done this, I've never thought of it the way you have, in those exact words. If you don't mind, I'm going to steal them. Instead of saying personal trainer, I like the way "Personal Fitness Coach" sounds...

[Bupp]

Thank you for all the feedback everyone.

Before the session I had sat in on an 45 minute fitness consult w/ the client and one of our sales people. When he said he'd like to do his first session right away I got caught by suprise as I didn't have anything prepped for him and had to make it up as I go.

For the session we did the following:

5 minutes on exercise bike (I did not know how to adjust the resistance on the bike which was a bit embarrasing - I'm new at this gym and had not used an exercise bike in any of my own workouts)

Wall Ball 3x20 superset w/ Planks

Walking lunges w/ rotation + shoulder Press

Bent Over DB Row superset w/ ab exercise

Shoulder Press on Swissball



I think that I should not have put him through supersets/done wall ball w/ him. In my workout the wall ball is part of the warm up though it really kicked his ass. I didnt really think about how out of shape he was and how much trouble he would have with that exercise.

Re: the money excuse I agree that it is probably just an excuse. Looking at the guy in the computer system shows me that he has not been back to the gym since our workout (6 days ago).

[Bupp]

Originally Posted by GqArtguy

The thing is that I dont train people, I coach. So I explain to them the what/why/how in comprehensible terms and show how its all integrated that way they get random thoughts like Ian posted.

Ive been doing this long enough to know what the consensus is regarding an exercise, Ive done them myself so I can know, and Ive done enough watching and reading to know what stuff is supposed to look like. Thus when someone does something, right afterwards Im like 'ok so you probably felt X on this side' and theyre like 'OMG youre right. Thats exactly what I was thinking/feeling!' When you can do that, they know they can get past you and they know you know what youre doing.

I actually come from a coaching backround so I totally get what you are saying. I think that in terms of training I think I'm probably a better fit for doing bootcamps or SAQ sessions with teams/athletes. But my coaching skills should transfer well to PT (I hope).

[Cynic]

Originally Posted by Bupp

Thank you for all the feedback everyone.

Before the session I had sat in on an 45 minute fitness consult w/ the client and one of our sales people. When he said he'd like to do his first session right away I got caught by suprise as I didn't have anything prepped for him and had to make it up as I go.

For the session we did the following:

5 minutes on exercise bike (I did not know how to adjust the resistance on the bike which was a bit embarrasing - I'm new at this gym and had not used an exercise bike in any of my own workouts)

Wall Ball 3x20 superset w/ Planks

Walking lunges w/ rotation + shoulder Press

Bent Over DB Row superset w/ ab exercise

Shoulder Press on Swissball

3x20 is an extreme amount of reps. Cosgrove's FLI is 3x15 and that is pretty killer.

You should probably reinforce stability work by having them do standing shoulder presses.