Personal trainers, force the change or guide the change?

As personal trainers, becoming more skilled at coaching people through change seems to be as important as the work out or “diet” plan. I have always found that only a small percentage of my clients have actually achieved their goals not because of the lack of diet advice or sweat, but more because of the mindset shift and my coaching ability.

I get in debates with trainers all the time about what we are supposed to do. Are we just there to turn up and provide an exercise plan? Surely beyond the basics, what more can be done with the weight loss client? In my experience not many of them are bothered about bio mechanics or anything like that. Does the future personal trainer have more of a role as a counselor or coach than buff person with s stop watch and a clip board (all together now, shiver down the spine)

Are we forcing a change?

Good question! By not focusing on the holistic service, are we wasting our time with all the diet plans and exercise routines? I would love some feedback from other trainers on this subject but sometimes I feel that I am over stepping the mark by discussing emotions and social support but I also know that these factors play a crucial role in the client’s results. In the new world where added value is important, is exercise and diet enough? It may be for some people but I do get concerned if trainers don’t have the ability to go a little deeper sometimes as the exercise and diet just “forces” the change rather than guides it.

Do you need qualifications to manage change?

Do you need to be an NLP practitioner to give advice on limiting beliefs? I believe there is almost a fear of doing something if you don’t have the piece of paper, now of course there are certain areas of the business where you need the knowledge but surely personal experience can be enough sometimes. I mean I have seen overweight nutritionists on TV? This doesn’t quite sit right from a credibility stand point but on the face of it this individual is an expert. I have lost five stone, does this make an expert on weight loss? I would say yes. This has actually helped me more than any of the qualifications I have obtained over the years. Clients don’t tend to question me either.

Guiding the change

I feel that now more than ever personal trainers need to able to manage change on a holistic level. This for me is taking into account all areas of the client’s existence that influence weight loss. If the client just wants to exercise then great but if long term sustainable weight loss is the goal, there is more t it than just a few squats and switching to whole meal bread! Constant communication on thoughts and feelings are as important as the tape measure and scales in my opinion. Whilst I do not participate in the recession, I know that a lot more people want more “bang for their buck”. There are dozens of trainers out there doing squats and lunges the difference maker for me is the ability to coach clients through change and the distractions that hamper healthy progress.

I am successful because I guide change from the outset and have an honest with my clients. Whilst it is important not expect more for them than they do for themselves, I would provide the best service possible for their investment.