When you pass your exam, you are officially certified to work with clients one-on-one.
That didnt come with my certification.
There was no discussion about how our societal messaging influences peoples decisions to participate in fitness.
Amber Venerable
Its why I wanted to become a trainer, to help women like me feel good about fitness.
Many of the women I work with have been stuck in acycle of dietingfor years trying to lose weight.
Sometimes, a side benefit of doing those things is weight loss, but that is never the focus.
Tracking success by performance and milestones rather than by numbers on a scalecan be life-changing.
Most often, how they look in a bikini isnt on their radar.
Appropriate language is vitalits all about knowing your audience and using language that motivates and inspires them.
In client-trainer relationships, there can sometimes be a perceived hierarchy.
One great way to build trust with a client is to share a struggle of your own.
I told him to get vulnerable.
Its the wordcantthat reaffirms what many people are already thinking.
Here is an example: This next exercise is aplank.
Thats much more encouraging than: This next exercise is a plank.
The second example, however, has the potential to highlight what they cant do.
As fitness professionals, we need to understand just howterrifying entering a gym can befor some people.
The fear of fitness is acutely real and something to be taken seriously.
I verify that the client feels comfortable so they return.
This is really important, especially if you are running your own business.
Your advertising messages should include a variety of ages, sizes, abilities, and ethnicities.
When people cant see a likeness to themselves, they may feel that the service isnt for them.
Shame can become deeply rooted when people feel invisible.
Not every trainer wants to work with certain demographics and thats OKwe all have our specialty.
