After receiving any nationally-recognized Personal Trainer Certification, most burgeoning fitness professionals feel prepared to take on the world…or at least their very first client. Seasoned professionals have already learned some of the best-kept secrets of the trade, the important details not included on the certification exam. Here we share what we consider the most vital pieces of information to aspiring trainers, how to prepare for their inquiries, and how to truly listen to a client.
Making a Strong First Impression
When a new gym member approaches the Fitness Desk in search of a personal trainer, he most likely comes with a list of questions. A client’s first consultation provides the perfect opportunity to find out more about a personal trainer and decide whether he has what it takes to help fulfill the client’s goals.
By understanding what new clients want in terms of their alliance with a trainer, a novice fitness professional can prepare himself with thoughtful and honest answers. Typical inquiries can range from “How soon can you get me to fit into that little black dress?” to “What can we do to get my biceps huge?” Read on to learn some of the more frequently asked questions, covering a surprising and diverse number of topics.
- What qualifications do you have?
A great personal trainer will gladly showcase his professional qualifications. A client may inquire as to where the trainer received his formal education, and if he holds any specialty certifications in areas such as weight management, nutrition, corrective exercise, etc.
- Do you have any examples of client success stories?
Taking a look at the progress others have made can help motivate clients at the beginning of their fitness journeys.
- What experience do you have/describe your approach to personal training?
Many different approaches to personal training exist, and all can prove successful. Clients want to make sure they choose a path with an approach that aligns with their goals and training ethic. A client may ask a trainer how long he has worked in the fitness field. Does he subscribe to a unique fitness regimen for himself? Does he participate in competitive bodybuilding or powerlifting? Working with a personal trainer who “practices what he preaches” can make all the difference in whether he can help a client achieve his fitness goals.
- How busy is your schedule?
Asking the personal trainer about his current workload ensures that he has the ability to take on new clients. If he can only take morning appointments and you find it difficult to get going at 7 am, forcing yourself to wake up extra early to meet a trainer’s schedule rarely works.
Clients should find out the trainer’s or the gym’s cancellation and rescheduling policy, and how far in advance they must book sessions. Clear communication about availability and scheduling helps establish a consistent training routine that fits the client’s lifestyle and helps him stay committed to his goals.
- Cost structure
Any potential client will certainly inquire about a trainer’s hourly rate/payment structure. Some trainers charge per session, while others may offer discounted rates for purchasing multiple sessions in advance. Often trainers must explain about additional fees/expenses, such as a gym membership. In the case of needing to cancel a session, might the client lose out on that session, especially a pre-paid one?
Prepare in advance to comfortably discuss questions regarding the required payment method; some facilities take cash, whereas others prefer credit cards or online transfers. Does the trainer/facility require full payment upfront, or are installment options available? While many new trainers feel a bit awkward discussing financial transactions, especially when the facility charges quite a bit for personal training sessions, knowing the cost and payment structure will help a client determine if the trainer’s services fit within his budget, and if that aligns with his comfort level financially.
- How many days per week do I need to work out?
Depending on how many times per week a client plans to work one-on-one with a trainer, the option always exists for a trainer to devise an additional training plan and/or suggest group exercises classes for the client to consider when he works out by himself. The number of days will depend on the trainer’s availability and the client’s goals.
- How do you incorporate fun into sessions?
If a client has a passionate competitive streak, or prefers a particular style of training, he should make a potential trainer aware of this. The more fun he has in his sessions, the greater his chances of dedication and success. The area in which the trainer specializes usually influences the way he trains the majority of his clients. Those who specialize in powerlifting incorporate many Olympic-style moves. In contrast, trainers with a bodybuilding background may design workouts by focusing upon specific muscle groups.
- How will you track my progress?
Good questions to ask a potential trainer revolve around his personal approach and mindset in the gym. How does he tackle goal -setting? A competent trainer takes the time to understand a client’s goals — weight loss, strength building, or improving overall fitness. A client may wish to know the trainer’s process for setting realistic and achievable goals, as well as how he plans to track progress along the way. Remind the client that progress reflects more than the number on the scale or the weight of the dumbbells!
- What happens if I’m not seeing the progress I’d expected?
If a client has reached a plateau that seemingly will not budge, he should probably have an honest conversation with himself and the trainer. Are both parties putting in 100% effort? Does the client believe he faithfully sticks to the outlined healthy eating plan? If the client can answer to both of these questions, he may wish to reevaluate his expectations, or take a different direction in the training plan. If he feels the trainer presents the problem, however, a difficult but perhaps necessary transition to another trainer may jump-start his progress. At this point, try not to get hurt feelings; sometimes these matches simply do not work. Try suggesting the name of another trainer who might better suit the client’s needs.
- How do you plan to keep me injury-free?
A quality personal trainer should prioritize proper form and technique over the amount of weight lifted, and incorporate adequate rest and recovery periods into the client’s programs.
- What should I eat before a workout?
Depending on the type of training and the time of day of the session, the trainer can recommend the best pre-gym snack or light meal to ensure the client has enough fuel in his tank/glycogen reserves to excel at his workout.
- What supplements do you recommend?
Depending on the client’s goals and workout program, supplements can sometimes enhance training. While certainly not necessary or extremely beneficial, many clients want to know the truth about the products on the market. If a new trainer does not feel comfortable addressing this topic, he can point the client in the direction of his personal physician, especially if the client currently takes other medications (either prescription drugs or over-the-counter products).
- What protein drinks/snacks/whole foods will help me recover after a workout?
A good trainer will caution a client about overdoing packaged post-workout snacks, due to their high concentration of sugars and sweeteners. Trainers typically offer suggestions for whole food meals, if possible, depending on the client’s schedule/time of day.
- What exercises should I avoid?
If a client suffers from a problematic back or has recently recovered from a previous injury, a trainer can offer guidance on reducing pain and avoiding further injury from the client’s current or future training.
- What exercises will help to reduce pain?
In addition to regular personal training sessions, a trainer may recommend additional stretch-based formats to ease back pain. Pilates and yoga classes help improve flexibility and properly align the spine, thereby taking pressure off the back and helping to relieve pain.
Clients must remember that, as knowledgeable as they are, most personal trainers lack a medical license. A smart trainer will suggest they save the more in-depth questions relating to diet and injury for their personal physicians.
What Qualities Make Trainers Stand Out from the Crowd?
Very often during a business interview, the professional inquires of the interviewee, “Why should I hire you? What talents do you bring to the table that set you apart from the other candidates?” In a similar fashion, a potential client will want to know why he should hire you and not the next name on the list of personal trainers. Even new trainers must feel comfortable enough in their abilities to convey this convincingly.
Seasoned professional trainers come from a variety of backgrounds, but they probably all rely on the following 2 characteristics to set them apart from the average run-of-the-mill “gym guy” ~
- Trainers should ask clients a variety of questions
Prior to planning a training regimen for a novice client, a prudent trainer will want to LISTEN. He needs to gather as much information as possible: medical status, fitness history, background, body image, job stress, dietary habits, etc. In order to compile a program that will guarantee success, a trainer must tailor it to his client’s habits; and that knowledge only comes by asking questions and listening well.
- Good trainers know, love, and use the simple basics
Innovative new equipment, such as wobble boards, BOSU balls and suspension training systems, certainly garner a lot of attention in the gym. However, trainers using unorthodox methods cannot and should not guarantee faster results; tried-and-true, old-school methods go a long way with beginners. Presenting exercises in this manner demonstrates to the client that the trainer has a sound knowledge base, without needing to disguise any knowledge gaps or deficiencies with fancy eye-catching equipment. For clients embarking upon the beginning stages of strength training, the basics should rule the day; performing complex movements using unique equipment can pose an injury risk.
Turning the Tables
In the scenarios presented above, the client comes to the table with a variety of important questions for any potential personal trainer. In equal measure, a new trainer might consider preparing his own list of questions for the potential client. Remember, communication only works when it flows comfortably in both directions.
Here we present some questions that trainers may wish to consider asking prior to agreeing to work with a new client ~
- What made you decide to join a gym/consider hiring a trainer?
- Have you set any goals for your personal training?
- Describe your typical daily diet
- How much time can you dedicate to personal training?
- What experience do you have in a gym? (machines, weights, previous personal training)
- What programs worked for you in the past, if any?
- What types of exercise styles do you enjoy/not enjoy?
- Do you get bored doing the same workouts, or do you prefer consistent exercises?
- What have been the biggest obstacles that have keep you from reaching your goals on your own?
- Do you have any existing or previous injuries?
- What do you need from me in order to succeed to your satisfaction?
Armed with the answers to these questions, and the conversations they hopefully provoke, trainers will feel even more prepared to embark upon a new fitness journey with a client who demonstrates dedication and a willingness to work together towards a successful end.
References:
https://www.villagegym.co.uk/blog/17-crucial-questions-to-ask-your-personal-trainer/
Cathleen Kronemer is an NFPT CEC writer and a member of the NFPT Certification Council Board. Cathleen is an AFAA-Certified Group Exercise Instructor, NSCA-Certified Personal Trainer, ACE-Certified Health Coach, former competitive bodybuilder and freelance writer. She is employed at the Jewish Community Center in St. Louis, MO. Cathleen has been involved in the fitness industry for over three decades. Feel free to contact her at trainhard@kronemer.com. She welcomes your feedback and your comments!
