3. Behavioral Coaching
● Beyond physical transformations, the personal trainer plays an important
role in behavioral coaching that has benefits that extend past the visible
which include reduced depression, anxiety, the risk of various chronic
diseases, and increases capabilities of weight control, increased self-
esteem, and activity levels.
● There are many psychological benefits to exercise and as a trainer it is
your duty to assist your client in a shift in mindset and lifestyle adjustment
to facilitate an overall healthier life.
● By facilitating a shift in mindset and lifestyle a personal trainer can produce
long-term results that are sustainable and will significantly and positively
impact the life of the client.
4. Stages of
Change
Working with a client you should
understand that it is against
human nature to change from
what is known unless there is a
great reason to change a
behavior. Most people will
maintain status quo, and as such
behavior modification is generally
needed for permanent changes in
lifestyle. Fitness professionals will
find there are 5 stages that people
go through.
5. Stages of Change cont.
● Stage 1- Precontemplation: Trainers will generally not see people in this
stage as they have not yet contemplated changing or have no intention of
changing. The best strategy for working with people in precontemplation
stage is easy to understand material for education.
● Stage 2- Contemplation: People in this stage are considering becoming
more active within the next 6 months, however, they are aware of some of
the costs, benefits, and misconceptions about health and fitness.
● Stage 3- Preparation: People in this stage are planning to begin exercise
within the next month. People in this stage may hold unrealistic
expectations for progress and are at high risk of disappointment and early
dropout. As a trainer you should help clients set realistic and achievable
goals, avoid uncomfortable environments, and focus on positive
reinforcement.
6. Stages of Change cont.
● Stage 4- Action: People in this stage are exercising but have not been
doing so for more than 6 months. These individuals are still at risk of
dropout or interruption to their routine. It is important to hold them
accountable, focus on positive reinforcement, and develop action steps to
avoid upcoming barriers or disruptions.
● Stage 5- Maintenance: People in this stage have maintained change for 6
months or more and have formed a change in their behavior and their
exercise routine. Personal trainers should encourage and suggest
maintenance check-in plans, use positive reinforcement, update goals and
training programs, and keep clients motivated.
7. Stages of Change cont.
How can you assess which stage a client is at? Ask them questions…
● What is their past experience with physical activity?
● What helped them stick with their plans in the past?
● Have they continually exercised for the past 6 months?
● What stopped their previous training plan?
● What factors affect their ability to continue a training program?
Generally, by the end of the initial session you will have gathered enough
information to determine the client’s stage. However, do not underestimate the
importance of the initial session.
8. The Initial Session & Expectations
As a trainer, your client is your business and you can have massive influence
on people. As a fitness professional you should strive to design effective
programs that get clients real results.
Most people will make their impression of you within the first 20 seconds and it
is vital to make it a positive one.
The first time a client meets with you there will be expectations already in place
that you should be aware of...
9. The Initial Session & Expectations
Expectations of Trainer
● Professionalism (body language,
communication, eye contact, smiling)
● Acknowledgement of problems/issues/pain
points.
● Remember client’s name
● Motivate and push client
● Build rapport as a fitness professional and be
educated.
● Ask questions
● Get the client results.
Expectations of Environment
● Clean & harm-free
● Warm and friendly
● Supportive of their goals
● Non-hostile or threatening
● Convenient for client and schedule
● Within budget
10. Discussion In Initial Session
Once again, the initial session is vital to the success of the personal trainer and
client and general impressions are made within the first 20 seconds.
Let clients know you’ll spend around 30 minutes of the first session just talking
with them.
The initial session is where you get to know your client, their health concerns,
fitness goals, the beginning of their program design, and the process they will
go through. For success, you should consider the folllowing:
11. Discussion In Initial Session
Health Concerns
● This important conversation will give you some insight into the capabilities
or hindrances a client may face in a training program.
● Having your client fill out the PAR-Q and then reviewing the PAR-Q with
them will allow for easy conversation and flow of important information
relating to their health.
● Ask questions about surgeries, medications, injuries, health conditions,
stress levels, etc.
● Be sure to be polite and ensure the client is comfortable discussing with
you, do not be too personal.
● Relating to your client with your personal experiences can help to break
down communication barriers and humanize yourself.
12. Discussion In Initial Session
Fitness Goals
● Everyone is in the gym for some reason. The reason the potential client is
in front of you is because they have goals and need help getting there.
● It is important to not only discover the goals of the client but to also
understand the underlying emotions behind why they have these goals.
These emotions are the real reason they are there today and are highly
motivational to them.
● Know how to set goals with the client as many clients will assume
unreasonable goals.
● Two types of goals: Process & Product. Focus on process goals wherein
participation is the focus.
13. Discussion In Initial Session
Past Experience
● Understanding past experience(s) shapes the program for the client.
● Asking the right questions about past experience can also help motivate
the client. Such as: “Did you ever feel good working out?”
● There are usually many reasons why past programs or experiences did not
produce long-term sustainable results. Understand these problems as they
will probably re-occur and will need to be overcome.
● Factors and excuses presented by clients are key indicators the personal
trainers should keep in mind when developing an exercise program.
14. Discussion In Initial Session
Program Design
● Basics of an exercise program can be developed and clients should be
able to clearly see personal trainer has taken information provided to
develop their own personal program.
● After the initial session the personal trainer can ask questions about
preferences with various training modalities and likes/dislikes to help shape
the program.
It is important to note and remind you that during the initial session and while
working with the client in the future, proper and great communication skills are a
must. Great communication skills include the following….
15. Communicating Effectively With Client
It is vital throughout the initial session and all
interactions with client that you show
professionalism through your ability to
communicate.
● Be courteous, understanding, sympathize,
and motivate.
● Have positive and open and receptive body
language. Smile frequently, be light with your
attitude to keep energy and motivation levels
high.
● Use active listening techniques. Listen,
interpret, understand, respond.
● Ask questions. Use both closed-ended and
open-ended questions where they can be
used. Open-ended questions allow for the
client to use critical thinking and helps to
build a relationship and invite discussion.
● Reflect or repeat back to the client the main
points of your conversation to show your
appreciation and understanding of the
conversation.
● Sprinkle positive affirmation throughout your
interactions to keep client motivated.
● Ask for permission to share information,
make contact with client, or ask personal
questions.
16. Client Support
Various types of support assist and guide client to success. Understanding the
types of support or where a client lacks support can help trainer to support the
client where needed.
There are 8 types of support that can be crucial to the success of your client.
● Emotional Support: Expressed through encouragement, empathy, and
other motivational and necessary emotions. Enhances self-esteem and
reduces anxiety.
● Informational Support: One of the reasons people come to trainers in the
first place. Personal trainers provide vital information for the success and
safety of the client.
17. Client Support
● Companionship Support: Similar to social support, companionship during
exercise produces positive feelings which will become associated with
exercising.
● Family Support: Supportive family members have been proven to help
clients adhere to exercise programs, however negative family members
may actually produce the opposite effect and encourage client to exercise
less or feel guilty for exercising.
● Parental Support: Important at a young age, parental support is important
for a child to grow up understanding the importance of a healthy and active
lifestyle. Parents also facilitate the ability for a child to be able to exercise
or participate in extracurricular activities.
18. Client Support
● Exercise Leader: Similar to the job of a personal trainer, part of this job is
engaging and connecting with members in the class. Exercise instructors
are socially supportive and encouraging while producing a safe and fun
environment for people to train.
● The Exercise Group: Working out in a group can provide a sense of
cohesion and is related to whether or not an individual adheres to an
exercise program. Exercise groups create a sense of belonging.
Although a client can have all the support they need in order to begin changing
their lives through health and wellness, there are other barriers and excuses
that can affect their adherence to an exercise program.
19. Barriers & Excuses
Sticking to an exercise program is not easy when life can throw curve balls.
There are many obstacles people need to overcome in order to be able to
adhere to an exercise program.
Not everyone holds an immense amount of discipline, therefore as a personal
trainer you must be able to work with clients on issues or understand common
excuses that are given by clients.
20. Barriers & Excuses
Barrier/Excuse: Time: A common barrier and
excuse is the amount of free time one has available
to be able to commit to such things as an exercise
program.
It’s important to note that the commitment to an
exercise program is much more than just the
workout, it is also: travel time, preparation time,
shopping time, and more.
Solution: Upon closer examination of a client or
potential client’s schedule a perceived lack of time
is not a reality but rather a poor allocation of time.
Ask the client/perspective client about their
priorities and if it would be possible to prioritize
their health, wellness, and goals above things for
leisure and pleasure.
21. Barriers & Excuses
Barrier/Excuse: Unrealistic Goals: Many people
flock to the gym with aspirations of a nice butt or 6
pack abs and think it will happen in a matter of
weeks.
Unrealistic goals lead to a loss of motivation and
decreased self-esteem which increases the chance
a client will not adhere to an exercise program.
Solution: Setting realistic goals and expectations
using the S.M.A.R.T method and setting intermittent
checkpoints or smaller goals will help a client feel
good about themselves, their progress, and keep
them on track.
A client's goals are their own dreams and visions
and a personal trainer should not ruin that. By
setting reasonable goals laying out the timeline you
will prevent your client from being upset with their
progress or lack thereof.
22. Barriers & Excuses
Barrier/Excuse: Lack of Support: As discussed
earlier, support is vital for a client’s success in
adhering to a program.
Without the proper support, whether is emotional,
instrumental, or other support, they are drastically
more likely to fail in their attempt to reach their
goals
Solution: Personal trainers should determine what
weak points a client may have in their support
system and develop a plan to pass over obstacles
and hurdles.
It is not the job or the responsibility to be the
complete support system for a client. However, it is
possible to assist a client in creating a support
system by introducing a new client to existing
members, communicating, and holding client
accountable.
23. Barriers & Excuses
Barrier/Excuse: Convenience: A client’s access to
the facilities based on their work schedule, kids, etc.
may limit the convenience of exercise for a client.
If a client finds it inconvenient to workout, there is a
high chance they may not be able to adhere to an
exercise program.
Solution: If possible a personal trainer can attempt
to accommodate the schedule of the client to
ensure they have open availability on the limited
hours a client may be available.
A straightforward solution is to simply supply an
exercise program that a client can adhere to from
home, work, or abroad using only themselves and
what they have brought with them.
24. Behavioral Strategies to Enhance Adherence
Behavioral modification or strategies aim to alter a client’s behaviors and increase the chance of
exercise program adherence and develop long-term sustainable behaviors.
Self-Management: Managing one’s own behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Setting realistic programs
for a client to follow. Managing individual emotions and thoughts such as stress and learning how to
deal with individual emotions in a healthy manner.
Goal Setting: Creating a specific, measurable, realistic, and challenging goal(s) and detailing the
actions that are required in order to achieve the goal will help a client stick with it.
Self-Monitoring: Keeping a written record of behaviors that a client is trying to change.
In addition to these behavioral strategies, knowing the psychological benefits of exercise can have a
massive impact on adherence as well...
25. Psychological Benefits of Exercise
Understanding and explaining the psychological benefits of exercise and the change clients may
undergo through the process can increase program adherence. Some of the psychological benefits of
exercise include….
Promotes Positive Mood: Feeling good means different things for different people, however after a
workout clients will often feel energized, mentally alert, and have a more positive outlook. Exercise
promotes a feeling of relaxation and stress reduction, alertness, and the improved ability to
concentrate and focus.
Reduce Stress: Stress has been linked to hypertension, negative outlooks on life,
headaches/stomachaches, and other emotional and physical symptoms. Workouts tend to help people
deal with or release stress or prepare for the stress they may incur.
Improves Sleep: People who exercise consistently report being able to fall asleep quicker, achieve
deeper and longer sleep, and feel more refreshed in the morning. Benefits of increased quantity and
quality include: resistance to various illnesses and chronic diseases, feeling more refreshed and
energetic, and reduced stress and improved mood.
27. Professionalism
● Treat clients and colleagues with respect
● Do not make false or negative claims about colleagues and clients.
● Maintain a safe environment.
● Do not diagnose or treat illness/injury unless qualified/certified and working in that capacity at
that time.
● Do not train clients with diagnosed health conditions unless client has received consent of
respective medical professional. Refer client to medical professional should health condition be
discovered.
● Hold a valid CPR & AED certification at all times.
● Refer client to other healthcare professional when nutritional and supplemental advice is
requested unless specifically trained to do so and working in that capacity at that time.
● Maintain level of personal hygiene appropriate for the fitness setting.
● Dress professionally, be clean, and overall appropriate appearance.
● Remain in good standing (maintain current status of certification) with continued education.
28. Confidentiality
● Protect the client’s confidentiality and any personally identifying information unless otherwise
agreed to by the client in writing or as a result of legal or medical necessity.
● Uphold HIPAA standards and regulations.
● Protect minors (clients) information by securing legal permission of the appropriate third party or
guardian.
● Store/dispose of client’s records in a secure manner.
29. Legal & Ethical
● Obey all local, state, provincial, and federal laws.
● Be responsible for your own actions.
● Maintain truthful and accurate records.
30. Business Practice
● Maintain adequate and appropriate liability insurance.
● Keep truthful and adequate progress notes for each client.
● Accurately report to the public the services rendered.
● Honestly represent all professional qualifications (certifications, degrees, etc.)
● Advertise in honest methods that are not lude, misleading, or otherwise unprofessional or
inappropriate.
● Keep financial and tax information (including appointment information, session information, etc)
for a minimum of 4 years.
