4 Ways Personal Trainers Can Help Clients In Addressing Their Insecurities
Have you encountered clients whose fears hinder them from going to the gym? As personal trainers, there are various approaches we can take to assist these clients in confronting what I refer to as "gym fears." You can help them overcome these fears in these 4 ways.
Ensure the client feels comfortable with you initially
You might be their first point of contact for fitness guidance, so it’s crucial to establish a sense of ease right from the start. Offer a warm greeting with a genuine smile, as these small gestures can greatly contribute to their comfort level, both with you and with the gym environment. Maintain eye contact and actively listen to their story.
Additionally, provide appropriate feedback and comments. Personally, I find it effective to relate to their health concerns or insecurities by sharing a relevant anecdote about myself or someone I know. Many clients, especially those with gym-related fears, often perceive their trainer as a flawless, expert figure in fitness and health. However, disclosing a personal struggle or journey can humanize you and reassure them that achieving a healthy lifestyle is feasible despite individual challenges
Educate the client on the equipment in the gym
Once you’ve acquainted yourself with your new client, guide them around the gym, especially in the case of gym closures and online training. For those unfamiliar with working out, the exercises may appear daunting.
Subsequently, I like to introduce them to all the equipment they’ll be using. In person, I demonstrate each machine, adjust it to their specifications, and record these settings for future reference.
Additionally, I encourage them to perform a few repetitions to familiarize themselves with the machine. For clients exercising at home, we discuss the equipment or alternative options they’ll utilize.
Since most individuals learn best through hands-on experience, providing them with this opportunity can significantly alleviate their apprehensions.
I advise them to try out the equipment independently and to bring any questions to our next session together.
Remove uncertainties by building a plan for the client
Ease those gym insecurities by having a plan for your new client to follow. Build out a workout plan for them to do on their own before your next session together. Be sure to take them through each exercise and have them make notes next to each one as needed.
This will help them remember what they did so the next time they are working out alone there will be reminders for them as needed. Giving them a simple plan to follow will help them to feel confident in the gym while they are working out alone.
Make sure that the exercises and programming align with the client's capabilities
Following an assessment with your client, you’ll gain insights into their strengths and areas needing improvement. Especially with new clients, ensure that their exercises are suitable for their comfort and skill level.
By incorporating a mix of easier and more challenging exercises, you can gradually build their confidence. Selecting exercises they can perform independently can also enhance their comfort on days when they train without you. In addition to the aforementioned methods, offering tips such as visiting the gym during off-peak hours and bringing a workout buddy can further alleviate their gym-related anxieties.
One useful tip is reassuring them that others are not fixated on their activities; most gym-goers are focused on their own workouts and form. I’ve encountered these insecurities with many new clients, and I’ve found that by fostering their comfort, they become empowered to tackle greater challenges. Comfort with you, the gym environment, the equipment, and their training program will alleviate your client’s fears, promoting a sense of security and paving the way for success!
Being a quality trainer that stands out from others involves paying attention to details like these. It’s crucial to create an atmosphere where the client feels comfortable and their confidence grows.
Apply them, enhance the quality of your programs, and you’ll certainly achieve better results.
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