2.6 Stages of client – trainer relationship
The client-personal trainer relationship can be described as a dynamic, interpersonal partnership that is founded on the reciprocal interaction between the cognitive, affective, and behavioral states of both individuals involved. Jowett (2005) conceptualized this dyadic relationship as a continuous evolution that emerges from the interdependence of the thoughts, emotions, and actions of both the trainer and the client. The alignment of shared objectives, mutual appreciation, and harmonious collaboration characterizes the successful manifestation of this relationship.
A dyadic relationship is a social bond or interaction between two individuals, often characterized by interdependence and reciprocal influence.
Pavey (2013) identified four key stages in developing the client-trainer relationship, which plays a crucial role in fostering retention and adherence to the fitness program. For the partnership to be effective and achieve the desired outcomes, the trainer and client must work together consistently and engage in an extended period of collaboration to reach their mutual goals.
2.6.1 First Stage: The rapport
Rapport is the establishment of trust, understanding, and connection between two or more individuals, achieved through mutual respect and empathy. Various methods can create rapport, including verbal and nonverbal communication, physical touch, and shared experiences (Burgoon, Guerrero, & Floyd, 2016). In the context of personal training, building rapport is crucial to creating a positive relationship with clients, ultimately facilitating their progress toward fitness goals.
The rapport-building process commences with first impressions, which can significantly impact the likelihood of acquiring or retaining clients (Ambady & Rosenthal, 1992). Therefore, personal trainers must present themselves as approachable and professional, employing effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills. This can begin even before meeting potential clients, as trainers can utilize their time at the gym to engage with members and foster rapport. Trainers should greet gym-goers upon arrival, offer assistance or advice when needed, and provide appropriate encouragement, such as praising a completed heavy rep. However, trainers must be mindful of gym etiquette and avoid approaching individuals during cardio or heavy lifting sessions or when wearing headphones.
To foster a strong rapport, trainers should display attentiveness to clients’ concerns and feedback through active listening and maintaining effective nonverbal communication (Knapp, Hall, & Horgan, 2013). This includes maintaining eye contact, adopting a receptive body posture, and being conscious of facial expressions. Moreover, trainers should present a professional appearance (e.g., attire, cleanliness, and positive demeanor) and ensure that the meeting environment is tidy, welcoming, and conducive to open communication.
2.6.2 Second stage: The investigation stage
The Investigation stage is a crucial component of the trainer-client relationship, focusing on information gathering to develop a comprehensive understanding of the client’s needs and goals. Prior to initiating any program, personal trainers must conduct a thorough interview, addressing the client’s medical history, health and fitness data, personal objectives, lifestyle, physical activity preferences, and past experiences (Tharrett & Peterson, 2012). Identifying potential health risks is essential for preventing accidents, injuries, and more severe outcomes such as heart attacks or even death.
In addition to health risks, personal trainers should explore patterns of past successes and failures in exercise and nutrition to optimize program design and avoid recurring pitfalls. Active listening is of paramount importance during this stage, as the information collected is often sensitive and personal, including medical concerns, body weight, family history, and fitness assessments. To maintain client confidentiality and comply with data protection laws, trainers should handle this information responsibly and ethically (Earle & Baechle, 2019).
Information gathering can be facilitated through various methods, including verbal communication and completion of forms, such as medical history or lifestyle questionnaires. Reviewing these forms with clients enables personal trainers to clarify any concerns and gather additional information. Trainers should also inquire about clients’ previous experiences with physical activity to identify factors that may promote or hinder exercise adherence. By attentively listening to clients’ accounts, trainers can better understand personal preferences, exercise habits, and potential barriers to maintaining a fitness program, such as family or work-related stressors.
An integral aspect of the Investigation stage is fitness testing, which will be discussed in depth in Chapter 3. During this process, trainers must remain mindful of their professional boundaries and scope of practice. If a client discloses issues such as eating disorders or depression, it is the trainer’s responsibility to seek external assistance and refer the individual to appropriate professional help (Annesi, 2015).
2.6.3 Third Stage: The planning stage
The planning stage means setting goals, generating and discussing alternatives, formulating a plan, and evaluating the exercise program. After gathering information and assessing the individual’s current fitness level to establish a starting point in the training program, the personal trainer can design a comprehensive exercise program and advise on nutrition. This program will be based on the individual’s goals, medical history, exercise and nutrition history, current lifestyle and commitments, and sound exercise training principles.
Clients often express fairly general personal-training goals, such as wanting to »ton up« or »lose some weight. « The personal trainer should help clients define goals in more specific and measurable terms so that progress can be evaluated.
Effective goals are commonly said to be SMART goals, which means they are:
Specific: The more specific a goal is, the more likely a client will achieve it! Therefore, goals must be clear and unambiguous, stating precisely what should be accomplished.
Measurable: Goals must be quantifiable, i.e. able to be measured so that the clients can see whether they are making progress. For example, if a client has the goal of »I want to be able to walk more, «this is not measurable as »more« cannot be quantified. It can be made into a measurable SMART fitness goal by defining how long your client will walk and how often they will do it. When setting a SMART goal, ask for: How much? How many? How will we know when it is accomplished?
Attainable/Achievable: Goals should be realistically attainable by the individual client. The achievement of attaining a goal reinforces commitment to the program and encourages the client to continue exercising. Even if a trainer has to switch something up, a client must stick to a workout. Attaining goals is also a testimony to the personal trainer’s effectiveness.
Relevant/Realistic: Goals must be relevant to the individual client’s particular interests, needs, and abilities.
Time-bound: Goals must contain estimated timelines for completion. A time frame creates an element of urgency and pressure, which will help motivate your client forward with the program. It also prevents everyday tasks from taking priority over longer-term goals. Clients should be evaluated regularly to monitor progress toward goals.
In Chapter 2.9, we shall provide a succinct overview of the SMART goal-setting framework.
Potential disadvantages of SMART fitness goals are too much pressure, disappointment and failure, and neglecting other goals.
A personal trainer should err on the conservative side of goal setting in terms of what might be realistically achieved by the client. Lofty goals feel good and sound inspirational, but clients are soon disappointed when progress is slow (Moore, 2011).
Here are some fitness indicators that may demonstrate change:
- Emotional health indicators: Clients may have measurable improvements in mood, energy level, sleep quality, and fewer feelings of stress and irritability following exercise.
- Resting heart rate: Clients new to exercise often experience a decrease in resting heart rate after a few months of exercise.
- Muscular strength and endurance: Gains in muscular strength and endurance occur quickly during the first few months of an exercise program.
- Walking test: Measuring fitness improvement with a timed walking test usually yields positive results if clients have been walking in their exercise program for several weeks.
- Flexibility: Flexibility is very slow to improve and should only be included in the assessment if the exercise program includes regular stretching or range-of-motion exercise.
- Balance: Balance measures show the most significant improvement for adults participating in some balance training programs.
- Skill level: Clients participating in an activity that requires a skill will be pleased to see improvements in their motor skill levels.
- Medical indicators, such as resting blood pressure, blood lipid levels, or blood sugar levels: if any of these are the focus of clients’ exercise programs, clients should take these measures regularly as established by their healthcare provider.
- Body weight: is easily measured but is a poor indicator of body composition changes. Body weight may remain unchanged even though changes in body composition are occurring, or it may change by several pounds or kilograms due to changes in hydration. Nevertheless, clients on a weight loss program who are more than a few kilograms overweight will probably see a decrease in weight. Clients should work for slow and consistent weight loss, which is more likely to yield long-term weight loss maintenance.
- Body composition: If body composition is measured, the same test should be used consistently. Some trainers opt for circumferences or skinfolds; some opt for electric-pendance body composition tests.
Personal trainers should incorporate effective exercise program design material as they consider clients’ goals and discuss alternatives. Once a plan is decided upon, it should be written and given to clients. The plan should include all the information the client needs to get started.
2.6.4 Fourth and last stage: The action stage
Once the exercise program design is complete, the client is ready to begin exercising. Initially, a personal trainer must instruct clients on proper strength training techniques, exercise machine usage, and flexibility exercises (NSCA, 2012). It is essential to recognize that each client is unique, with varying preferences for processing information through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic pathways. Trainers can identify these preferences by observing clients’ actions and listening for language cues during learning situations.
"Tell me, and I'll forget, Show me, and I may remember Involve me, and I'll understand."
Chinese proverb
The process of acquiring and refining motor skills is known as motor learning. Adult clients, especially those with limited sports and physical activity experience, may feel self-conscious.
To effectively learn new techniques, clients should progress slowly and patiently, as motor skill improvement requires time and practice. Personal trainers must foster a welcoming environment and reassure clients that it is natural to be a beginner when learning new skills.
Trainers should provide concise explanations when introducing new skills, emphasizing safety information and injury prevention guidelines. It is advisable to demonstrate techniques while explaining them, combining visual and auditory learning methods.
After clients attempt a new skill, trainers should offer constructive feedback, reinforce positive aspects, correct errors, and motivate clients to continue practicing. To avoid overwhelming clients, trainers should focus on a few key points, prioritizing correcting safety-related errors.
Trainers should tailor their approach based on clients’ learning preferences. For example, visual learners may benefit from demonstrations, auditory learners from question-and-answer sessions, and kinesthetic learners from hands-on supervision.
Personal trainers must motivate clients and teach safe, effective exercise techniques throughout the training process. Success also depends on providing practical advice on maintaining healthy nutritional habits.
Incorporating behavioral science, sports psychology, exercise logs, and encouragement can facilitate steady progress toward clients’ goals (NSCA, 2012). Personal trainers should stay current with exercise science literature, periodically reassess clients to measure progress, and modify programs to maintain challenge and adherence.
Self-monitoring systems, such as mobile apps, can significantly improve clients’ behavior change and adherence to fitness programs, fostering self-awareness and facilitating communication with trainers.