Personal trainers, how to ask and listen!

Do you really listen to your personal training clients?

Ever finished a session and then wondered how that went? Tried something new, but it didn’t feel too “smooth”. I’ve done it. I try new games and circuits all the time and plenty of times in the past I have walked away from a session and thought “I’m never doing that again”; or changed what I’d planned to do half way through because I just didn’t ‘feel it’.

That was until I started asking my clients how they felt or found it. After all they’re the ones doing the circuit or playing the game. What might not seem challenging for you may be totally different for your client and vice versa; you may be enjoying something your clients might completely hate. If there is one thing I’ve learned in the past year is that what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another, so ask: How did you find that session? Did you enjoy it? RPE scale 1-10, how challenging was that?

And don’t forget to listen. They might even tell you without you asking. I’ve had clients suggesting ideas to adapt or change some of the games we do. This could make clients feel more engaged and will therefore get more out of your sessions and could result in the client staying with you for longer.