Check my Thinking: Too Much 'Tude? - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Dinah]

I've been training clients now for a couple of months since getting my certification. I am really enjoying getting creative with their exercise programs and helping them see results. But I am realizing that's just one part of the job -- attitude management is another. I have this one client who has a pretty bold personality. She'll tell me exercises are "weird" and others she flat out declares, "I didn't like that". The other day she accused me of starting my stopwatch after she begins an exercise. How the &%#$ does she know? She said "I counted 60 jumping jacks, so I know it's a minute." I said "How do you know you're doing one for every second?" I was smiling as I said it to let her know I was being friendly but realistic. She had no comeback.

I am trying to let these things slide, but I am wondering if I should nip this in the bud or just continue to "pick my battles" with her.

Does anyone else have stories like these? Please share!

[Christina]

Oh my gosh. Where do I begin? LOL! There are some super strange people out there. Most people are good, but occasionally I'll get an odd bird.

I had this one client who was extremely difficult. One day the resistance band slipped off her feet and slapped her in the mouth. That was a good one! LOL

As far as your client is concerned, just ignore her comments. She will not be the last -- TRUST ME!

Christina

[Christina]

PS - If she gets too difficult ask her if she is enjoying her workouts. You might want to ask her if she would rather you find someone else. You may decide to plain out fire her as your client if she gets to be too much.

[Dinah]

One day the resistance band slipped off her feet and slapped her in the mouth. That was a good one! LOL

You're not gonna believe this -- the resistance band I used with this client broke and smacked her in the cheek!!! Seriously!!! She actually was very cool about it. This was about two months ago and she is still training with me.

Thanks for the feedback (as per usual :-) I am going the route of ignoring her...for now. If it gets to be too much, I will have to take it up with her. She does give me the feedback that she enjoys what we're doing. So she lets me have the good and bad...just not quite smooth with the constructive criticism.

Dinah