Conversations

I'll start This blog by saying I'm a little older than the average personal trainer.

This blog is for PT’s, clients and gym users alike, the reason I have written this is because it seems as if the art of conversation is becoming a thing of the past. However, once started most people enjoy a chat and I wanted to highlight the importance of talking as a way to communicate effectively to ensure that clients get the most from their gym programmes and PT’s; and that PT’s can provide the best service possible to their clients.

Now that's out of the way you'll hopefully get a better perspective on where I'm going with this?

A large part of a PT’s job is talking to people, introducing ourselves, selling, coaching or just having a chat in passing. From these conversations we find out our clients (or potential clients) wants, needs, likes and dislikes. Apart from finding out some interesting things it seems that people of a certain generation (my age and older) seem to share some common thoughts on training, training goals and what we motivates us.

"Just keep talking"

Obviously the most common discussions PT’s have with their clients and other gym members is about training, health and nutrition. I have found that more recently these discussions seem to centre around being able to maintain a level of fitness, keep a healthy weight and a good degree of mobility, rather than having a big bench press or deadlift.

One of my clients was telling me recently how pleased they were at being able to sit cross legged for the first time since they were a teenager, she is now over 60 and can also squat to parallel! This is a great achievement for someone who had low back pain and limited hip mobility.

Maintaining good posture is another regular discussion point and I have two clients of similar in age to myself who are following a programme set out to address certain postural challenges. They see having a good posture as more important than having good biceps! Our lifestyles, jobs, recreational and sporting endeavours can all impact our posture in one way or another. Following an appropriate set of exercises can go a long way to correcting most postural challenges and muscular imbalances.

"Discussion, engagement, learning"

These discussions are all about engagement with clients, learning about them, showing interest and building relationships professionally and openly. As a client or gym user you should question your PT or gym instructor and PT’s should just talk to everybody!

In order to write and deliver the best programmes for our clients we must first find out what they want and what they need. This could be two separate things, so a little of what’s wanted in a programme can help to motivate them to do what’s needed!

A couple of gym members said to me a few months back that I'm the only PT at our gym that actually talks to the members. Now whilst I do talk to more than just my own clients I know that I am not the only one talking at our club. Sometimes I just chat, sometimes I offer a little advice or maybe I'll coach them on a particular exercise.

However, PT’s aren't the only ones talking. Clients talk to clients, club members talk to club members and they all talk about us PT’s for good and bad!

"Everybody talks!"

So it's important to have conversations so that you not only get to know your clients and club members, but they get to know us too. It is far easier for a gym member or client to come and ask a question to a familiar face.

I hope this resonates with you or has motivated you to talk a little? As usual thanks for reading and I hope you continue to follow my ramblings! If you have any questions or suggestions please get in touch via my Facebook Page Get Coached (@getcoached.net) or via email at tsilvester@getcoached.net