To establish a level of trust we encourage our clients to open up and share, to express themselves; this is a quintessential part of being a personal trainer.
But what about when your clients ask you about your work life, your goals and dreams, your personal life? Is it necessary to open up as they do to you? Is it good business sense to express your work frustrations?
Too Much Too Soon
Some trainers might feel that telling their clients their life story right off the bat is a way to strengthen a professional relationship and in some way encourage their clients to open up also.
But what if it doesn't work out? A rule of thumb is to never disclose anything that you would not want revealed to anyone else.
Ask Yourself Why You Want To Tell Your Clients Something
More often than not, when people disclose certain types of information (normally personal), it's about them, not the immediate relationship.
Sometimes we want to express ourselves to alleviate our own guilt or stress, so ask yourself, how is telling your client about your personal life moving your hard earned business toward it's goals?
Sure, share your professional accomplishments, even talk about what you did on the weekend; but what time you got home, who you woke up next to and the content of the texts and pictures sent to your phone have no place in training session conversation.
That's sharing out of the way, but what about things you flat out shouldn't do or discuss in a professional business situation:
Don't Be Dishonest
It sounds obvious enough, but if you feel you have to make up stories or experiences because you believe clients won't want to work with you otherwise, your doomed right from the start.
If you know how to do something, sell it, if you don't, learn it. You might be surprised to know just how small this fitness industry is, take my word for it.
Never Criticize Past Or Current Clients
Even if you've had clients that were complete nut jobs, keep it to yourself. If you must talk about them, or your client asks you about a funny experience, make it light hearted, but never speak poorly.
If you start whining, complaining or humiliating someone, your client could draw the conclusion that you discuss your relationship with other clients or even worse...your client might know or be related to that person.
Never Criticize Your Colleagues
This would have to go without saying, but no matter what you see other trainers do with their clients, if it's unsafe or inappropriate, mention it to their manager to address or approach them yourself, but don't talk to your clients or colleagues about them.
This probably seems like common sense to you guys, after all, you're fitness professionals with ambition and common sense, that's why you read blogs like My Business Is Fitness. But I'm sure you've seen or know of trainers that over-share, or that give the rest of us a bad name...do them a favor and email them this article :)
Have I missed any fitness faux pas? What advice would you give to a new trainer? Please leave a comment below and like I mentioned, if there are some trainers out there that you feel should have a read of this, share it on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the icons up top!
Thanks for reading!
Ben
It's crazy that some people think talking about any of these things to their clients is okay.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Ben. When working out at the gym or participating in spin classes I regularly overhear trainers sharing things they really shouldn't. Talking about weekend drinking escapades and romantic interludes is hardly professional. It seems that because we work in a 'casual' industry, dressed in sneakers and t-shirts, some trainers feel that there is less need to be professional. I strongly believe that we should behave as if we were in a corporate environment - keeping social interactions professional, ethical and respectful. Our trainers are chosen for their dedication to such a professional attitude.
ReplyDeleteWhile recruiting I have come across a few trainers who bad mouthed previous employers. This reflects poorly on the candidate much more than on the employer they name! Needless to say such candidates don't get the job.
Well, it's simply that many people mistake friendly for friends.
ReplyDeleteMy rule is to be open but positive. I never say anything about anyone I wouldn't say or haven't said to them. But even if you're completely mute, someone will say you said something awful. Best if you can ensure there is no substance to their lunacy.
And yes, it is a very small industry. People you once worked with or were at PT school with show up as prospective employees or employers, or turn out to have worked together, and so on.
For example, my former PT teacher was once a PT at one of my current gyms, and two of the managers actually went to PT school together. And a couple of gym members went to the same PT school as me but found the teacher, who I considered very professional, a "chauvinist" - they're not seeking employment in the industry so they can mouth off.
But yeah, friends and friendly, not the same thing.
are there any resources other than the advice you gave? it would be really interesting to see successful coaches dealing with different age groups as well as different goal oriented clients in actual training situations.
ReplyDeletenice points you made & its timely as i need to talk to one of my trainers regarding the same subject.
thank you
@Kyra I know, but I've seen it many times. I've never been to a dentist and had them tell me their life story, if they did I'd certainly look elsewhere.
ReplyDelete@Jodie Great comment and thanks for stopping by. Imagine trying to work with someone like that or even worse, injecting them into your team of employees. They're destructive and not employable...I hope that this article might knock some sense into some people, they know who they are...
@Kyle Agree 100% mate and you're all class and an asset to the industry.
@Jazzie You're right, but I think you're on the wrong article...oh well, you got your backlink :)
@Shama This article is written purely from my own experiences and observations within the fitness industry, so I can't direct you to another fitness related blog or site that may be able to help you out.
That being said, the guys that have commented earlier in the post are all incredible pillars of the industry and could probably offer you some advice if you're a bit more specific about your particular problem?
Short of that, any managerial advice blog may be able to offer you some relatable advice?
Short of that again....feel free to send me an email and we can see if we can come up with a strategy together.
Ben