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Motivation Techniques for Clients Who Don’t Want to Work at It

December 7, 2015

As a fitness trainer, you’re going to run into a wide variety of clients—those who are dedicated to the workout, and those who are less than enthusiastic. These clients can be difficult to motivate, but with the right techniques, you can get them excited about their workout and coming back for more.

Set Attainable Goals

When training a client, just setting a long term goal isn’t going to motivate them. They will see the goal as unattainable after a while if they don’t see the results immediately or will tire of working long and hard for no immediate reward. In addition to a long term goal like, “lose 10 pounds,” set short term goals like “be able to do 20 pushups.” Create a plan they will stick to and won’t drastically alter their lifestyle. If they find that they now have to get up at 6 a.m. every morning to run a mile when they’re used to getting up at 7:30, chances are they won’t stick with it for long. If you can, set up a reward program to keep them interested; for example, a free massage or a free day at the rock wall at your gym.

Make the Workout Fun

A client may also not want to work at their fitness goal if they find it boring. Make it fun by using technology like the Wii Fit to help your client track their goals and customize their exercise plans. Plus, it will give them something different to do besides the same old run on the treadmill.

Set a Good Example

As a fitness trainer, you need to be first and foremost an example for your clients. If they see that you aren’t dedicated to your own fitness and are watching the clock during classes, then they will see no reason to take their own fitness seriously, or your guidance Take your own fitness classes and stay up-to-date on all the latest fitness trends. If you find yourself also getting bored during your classes, find ways to spice it up for yourself as well. For example, mix up the routine and try something new each day. Doing the same routine day in and day out isn’t only boring, but it will also make your workout less effective.

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