Several of my clients want to lose fat. We talk in depth about nutrition, habits, feelings about food and body, goals...
They are still not compliant, but they are fine with it. They are not upset with me for not making better progress.
Online, I see a lot of trainers say they demand compliancy and their clients show incredible results. When I speak to trainers I know, they tell me their clients are similar to mine - they don't want to work hard and they are fine with the results they get.
On one hand I feel like it is my job to push them to work hard because on some level they actually want that. On the other hand, I think that a lot of clients would actually quit all together rather than make drastic changes to their lifestyle and something is better than nothing - so if they are happy then I am happy.
What do you think the 'real life' best scenario is?
I'm in the same boat! Some clients are great and make all the changes I suggest, others just want a few exercise sessions a week to make themselves feel fitter, but aren't that bothered about losing weight, therefore not prepared to make the committment to make changes....
It pains me to be honest - I feel they are wasting their money, but they still get a lot out of the training, and I use the time to try to educate them and inspire them to make changes. So they do make changes, but just more gradually and through a process of 'normalisation' of concepts that might at first seem 'out there'.
I struggle to get anyone to log food though! One new client has impressed me no end by signing up to Calorie King already, and she's had great results already...
I've been speaking to trainers who make their clients do 30 day elimination diets, or follow super strict protocols then sack them if they don't comply, but I agree with you - the ones that need the most help are the ones you would scare off with this approach! It does mean you get the most committed and then the best results, so it makes you look like a great trainer, but it's not about the trainer!
I'd rather really help people change their mindsets and get slower results for the people who really need the help, than filter out the 'demotivated' before I even start.
We can make them work hard, and educate and inspire... It's finding the balance - but that's what I love about the personal bit of personal training - we have to take each unique individual and figure out what to do in each case.
Also, I think by constantly looking to read more of other people's work and writing I get inspired by new ideas and wasy of phrasing things that might help me get my clients to be more compliant. I acknowledge that if they are not changing, then on some level I am not having the effect I would like to be having, so as much as I am frustrated at their lack of compliance, I am also frustrated as I think it must be a fault in my communication... I've just read Leigh's FLTS and where I think if I was suddenly that harsh some of my clients might run a mile (hey, it will have worked on one level!) I have some new ideas on how I might get them motivated to tighten up, some new ways of saying things to illustrate the importance of the nutrition etc...
I'm going to get all my clients to set New Year's goals, then make them all re-visit that on a quarterly level, minimum. Something I've started doing (did a 100 day 100 goals goal setting programme Aug - end Oct and felt lost until I re-set them all at the end of Nov so losing the numbers but making it a quarterly thing). It does make a difference, but you have to be bought into your goals, which of course I am and I can't make a client be...
Sorry for the long reply - it's something that is always on my mind too (one of the 'culprits' is my 3 x per week 6am client so I sometimes ask myself why I'm getting up so early!).
Not a personal trainer myself but having gone through then entire process myself.
As for training: i was always gung-ho and this actually was often even too much for fat loss results (hormones/adrenaline etc).
As for diet: for several years I've been spinning wheels, first because I resented tracking so much as you can both eat too little and not enough.. a good alternative is to give them guidelines that are similar to counting but use the eyeballing method and also to tell them they can have 10-15% non-compliant meals versus 85% compliant ones.
More specifically: people that overeat while not overtraining
- have them eat more frequently if it looks like a blood sugar issue and also drop carbs to a lower level if they haven't done so already
- have them eat LESS frequently if they get hungry after a meal and also try cutting out gluten and if necessary dairy.. this was a HYOOGE factor for me.
Compliance re training: find a level that is taxing but not TOO taxing. Most people like variety but some actually need to do the same exercises over & over.
Personally I like to do the major lifts very often (used to do DL/squat/presses/rows/chins twice a week) and then add in different 'fun' exercise every workout. Best mix of both.
Rest periods: what I personally really despise about training is having exact rest periods.. just hate hate hate this.. go with the flow and use natural rest periods depending on fitness level. Same actually for frequency and duration of training.
No one is happy not getting results, they have just been disappointed enough that they are desensitized to it. Everyone wants the dreams. Yes, sometimes you are your clients friend. A good friend tells the truth though and keeps it real.
Yes, sometimes they aren't ready. If so you don't want them no matter how desperate you may feel for the money. Clients that don't get results lose you money, period. Success breeds success and failure breeds doubt. Social proof is huge. My whole base training comes through referral. I don't have one poster up. I don't have one ad in the phone book. I don't pay for radio time, and I don't give coupons. Why? My clients are massive success stories, their lives change, others see it and what their lives to change.
Everyone wants a montage. It is your job to help give it to them or cut them loose so you can still go after your own.
I think personal trainers have to be wellness coaches specialized in motivation. Read Anthony Robbins Unlimited Power. I'm sorry I was direct in this. Good luck.
No one is happy not getting results, they have just been disappointed enough that they are desensitized to it. Everyone wants the dreams. Yes, sometimes you are your clients friend. A good friend tells the truth though and keeps it real.
Yes, sometimes they aren't ready. If so you don't want them no matter how desperate you may feel for the money. Clients that don't get results lose you money, period. Success breeds success and failure breeds doubt. Social proof is huge. My whole base training comes through referral. I don't have one poster up. I don't have one ad in the phone book. I don't pay for radio time, and I don't give coupons. Why? My clients are massive success stories, their lives change, others see it and what their lives to change.
Everyone wants a montage. It is your job to help give it to them or cut them loose so you can still go after your own.
I like this answer a lot. How do you know when it is time to "fire" a client and how do you do it?
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