Not All Of Your Clients Are Full Of Shit

I don't have to tell you that a lot of our clients are full of shit when it comes to how well they follow the exercise and nutritional programs that personal trainers prescribe them.

There's no need to sugar coat the fact that what our clients report back to us and what is actually happening are rarely the absolute facts; but what about when they're actually telling us the truth?

What do you do if your clients progress hits a wall?

Have you ever heard the expression that 'the customer is always right, no matter how wrong they are'? We have to assume, no matter how frustrating it can be, that they're genuinely telling us the truth and that what we've suggested really isn't working.

Forget about how much you know, how much work they put in or how hard you push them, there will come times when our clients flat-out stop progressing towards their health and fitness goals.

We can't fight the fundamentals of human physiology. Bodies will eventually adapt to nutritional plans and exercise routines and ultimately they will stop being effective for an individuals weight loss and/or muscle gain.

So rather than coughing the word *bullshit* under your breath and instantly jumping to a negative conclusion; take a breath, ask some open ended questions and you might be surprised by what you discover.

Some questions you can ask your client to determine what's really going on are:

• If there were any foods that we could replace in your nutritional program, what would they be and why?
• Are there any exercises that I've prescribed for you outside our sessions that you aren't enjoying? If so, which ones and why?
• Are you finding it difficult to find time to prepare the meals, drink enough water etc. as recommended in your weight loss program? Could you elaborate on where you're finding it difficult.

Provided your clients answer questions like these honestly, it won't take you long to figure out why their progress has come to a halt, re-evaluate their program and get them back on track.

There are only two reasons why your clients aren't progressing towards their goals:

1. The program you've designed for them genuinely isn't working. Shit happens, not everything works for everybody. Don't take it personally, take action and enjoy the challenge!

2. They're lying about what they're actually doing and that can ultimately be related back to the simple fact that they're not motivated to follow what you prescribed.

If you're sympathetic to their concerns by listening and re-evaluating the programs that you've given them, your clients will eventually respond physically, emotionally or both.

If you call bullshit and just tell them to stick with what you originally gave them, regardless if what they've told you is the truth or not; they will inevitably leave your business.

Eventually, you will either discover a new formula for your client that reignites their fat burning furnace or you will motivate them to take action through your passion and persistence for them to succeed.

It has to be at your discretion how much time and energy you give to your clients. At the end of the day, if you're convinced that a client is just a complete waste of time that you will never satisfy, maybe you're better off without them.

Have you called bullshit when your clients complain that their not achieving their goals based on the programs you've given them? How do you handle difficult clients that refuse to follow instructions outside of your training sessions?

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Thanks for reading.

Ben