Today I said goodbye to a training client. Like all trainers, I see clients come and go reguarly. Some start with a bang and peter out quickly. Others are stop and go before they stop their sessions. Still others hire me to help them achieve a short-term goal and when that is achieved they are off to other pursuits. The best kind of goodbye is the kind I got to experience today. Goodbyes aren't always sad!
As a trainer, my sole focus is helping my clients reach their healthy goals. There are as many ways to go about this as there are types of training clients. It's a big job to help people reach their goals. We often have to overcome physical barriers, emotional barriers, work/homelife barriers, time barriers, and mental barriers before working a plan can even begin. It takes a lot of creativity/compassion/knowledge on the part of the trainer. It takes HARD WORK on the part of the client to attain the goals. Client/Trainer TEAMWORK is the glue that holds the whole plan together.
Over and over, the clients I've seen experience the most success reaching their goals share a few important factors. #1: DEDICATION. Client goals are as varied as types of clients! I've trained clients that are looking to regain range of motion or flexibility, lose weight, train for an event/sport, change body composition, and even some who are in great shape & just want a little accountability for their workouts. DEDICATION to the goal(s) - this is the single most important factor in client success. Most goals take time to achieve and often it's not an easy journey. Most clients have set-backs. Life happens. There will be barriers to the healthy goals my clients want to achieve. Every single success story I've witnessed starts and ends with client DEDICATION to achieving their goal.
I'd rank CONSISTENCY as the next most important factor to client success. Client consistency in pursuit of their goal(s) will ensure they stay on track, create lasting habits (so they continue to be successful in the future), and provides the structure to see physical/health changes they desire. CONSISTENCY in sticking to a plan (created with the my help), CONSISTENCY in working the plan (you've go to do the work to see results!), CONSISTENCY in re-evaluating goals and progress (tweeking things as changes occur), CONSISTENCY in DEDICATION to achieving the goal(s) - CONSISTENCY is uber important!
SPIRIT is another key to success. Having a positive attitude (I can do this and I *will* do this) is so important in client success. for many, the biggest step is deciding to make a change and believing they can make it happen. Without a positive attitude, we may never arrive at DEDICATION & CONSISTENCY - so you can see how important this factor is!
Lastly, creating a PLAN that is specific to client goals is imperative for success. This is where hiring a creative, positive, knowledgeable, dedicated trainer can be invaluable. When you hire a trainer, you should never get a 'workout of the day' (WOD). Workouts/plans should be tailored specifically to your goals, your needs, and where you're at on any particular day you meet. When I train clients, I spend more time planning for their workout than they spend completing it! PLAN THE WORK, WORK THE PLAN.
When you combine client/trainer DEDICATION, CONSISTENCY and PLANNING (plus sprinkle in a lot of teamwork)...it's a winning combination for achieving your healthy goals.
Today I said goodbye to a cherished client. I've seen this client pretty much every week, most times twice a week, for about 1.5 years. I've seen her transform from a woman who said, "I'm not sure I can do this," to a woman who says, "I totally can do this!" I've seen her drop 20+ pounds and completely change her body composition/shape. I've seen her embrace the idea that her goals would take PLANNING, WORK, DEDICATION, CONSISTENCY and SPIRIT. She rocked all of those things! She not only met her healthy goals, she surpassed them, making lasting healthy lifestyle changes and changing her life. Today was a GREAT day as a trainer! I got to celebrate SUCCESS with my fitness friend. This particular goodbye was....AWESOME.
*Nichole Sargent trains clients exclusively at Harbor Square Athletic Club, for both members and non-members. Please inquire at HSAC 425-775-9935, or directly with Nichole at c.n.sargent@comcast.net, for more information on training/group fitness services offered.
Comments