[Christina]

Twenty Tips to Help Personal Trainers Motivate Their Clients

As a personal trainer you know that motivating clients can be extremely difficult. I once heard a sport psychologist say that if someone could figure out how to motivate human beings, and this method could be applied to every single person on earth, that individual would have more money than they would know what to do with! Motivation is the foundation of every exercise program. If your client is not motivated to exercise, you do not have a job.

If you have a client currently in a rut see if you can use any of the following tips to help steer them in the right direction.

1. Exercise contracts. Write an exercise contract for your client. Both you and your client will need to sign and date it. Keep it handy and have your client refer to it often.

2. Monetary deposits. Have your client give a friend a monetary deposit and tell them not to give it back until your client has achieved his/her fitness goal.

3. Learn your client’s personality type. Is your client shy? Is s/he outgoing? Competitive? Be sure to match your client up with activities they will enjoy. A gregarious client will most likely not enjoy weight training without a partner. An introverted client may not enjoy participating in a step class.

4. Buddy systems. Find your client an exercise partner. Post a message board at your gym where clients can find workout partners with similar goals. Studies have shown that we are more likely to stick with a program if we are held accountable by a buddy.

5. Process Goals. Instead of focusing on getting your client to lose twenty pounds, focus on simply getting them to exercise thirty minutes three times a week. Break down all of your client’s goals into smaller goals.

6. Rewards. Reward your client with a Starbucks gift certificates, t-shirts, or other trinkets when they reach certain goals.

7. Focus. Don’t allow your clients to become distracted by their victories or defeats. Allow them to celebrate (or lament) for one day. Explain to them that each day is a new day and they must remain focused on their goal.

8. Point systems. Create a point system similar to the ones used by hotels or airlines. Reward your clients with points when they achieve certain goals. Give your client something special when they have accumulated a predetermined number of points. To add a twist, have your client work toward accumulating enough points so their exercise partner can receive a special gift.

9. Fitness Testing. Be sure that you conduct periodic fitness testing so that you can track your client’s progress. Tracking your client’s achievements can be a valuable and powerful motivational tool!

10. Self-talk. Do not allow your client to talk in a negative fashion or to beat him/herself up. If you hear them making negative remarks teach them how to replace them with positive ones.

11. Imagery. Have your client envision him/herself physically achieving his/her fitness goals. Have them replay that exciting vision over and over in their head.

12. Before and after photos. If your client feels comfortable track his/her progress with before and after photos.

13. Exercising for health versus fitness. The amount of physical activity required to achieve healthful benefits is less than that needed to achieve cardio-respiratory benefits. Remind your client that walking their dog at a slow pace for twenty minutes a day is still beneficial. Tell your client that it’s okay to exercise only for health on days when they do not feel like going to the gym.

14. Journals. Record keeping is a very powerful motivator! If your client is computer savvy there are many free, easy-to-use online resources where s/he can keep a journal. Refer your client to such websites as FitDay or Blogger. The benefits of keeping an online journal is that your client can update from home or work as well as share their experiences with others if they so choose. If technology isn’t your client’s thing, a spiral notebook works fine too.

15. Role Models. Present your client with other people’s success stories which are often featured in fitness magazines, on websites, and in books such as Body for Life.

16. Reminders. Call your client or send them an email reminding them to exercise. Or have your client sign up for a free online service such as Memo to Me that will automatically send email reminders as often as they like.

17. Variety. Have your client exercise at home, in a gym, outdoors at a track or park. Swim laps at the YMCA. Take Yoga or a spinning class. Have them try out some of the latest trends in fitness. Encourage your client take up a new hobby such as dance lessons, kayaking, or martial arts.

18. Start slowly. Have your out-of-shape clients begin their exercise programs with easy activities so that they can experience success. There is plenty of time to progress to more challenging activities. Design a cardio program that initially requires your client to walk fifteen minutes a day instead of the recommended thirty.

19. Support. Help your client find support through family and friends. There are also countless exercise and fitness forums on the internet where members encourage and challenge one another.

20. Forgiveness. If your client tends to be a perfectionist they are only setting themselves up for failure. Teach them to be flexible and forgiving. Remind them to strive for excellence, never perfection. Perfection is an impossible feat.