10 Important Personal Training Guidelines

American Fitness, Jan, 2001 by Tom Holland

1. Give your undivided attention to your client at all times. This may seem like an overly simplistic rule, yet it is extremely important for two main reasons:

a) Safety is by far the most important reason to never take your eyes off your client. You must spot your client with the utmost care and be ready to provide assistance in a second's notice.

b) Potential clients are watching. You must realize you are constantly being observed, and many clients will decide to train with you based upon how you interact with your current clientele. No one wants to pay money to train with someone who is staring off into space or at pretty bodies while their client performs an exercise.

2. Be on time. Clients are paying you for a specific time slot and you are shortchanging them every minute you are late. If you don't respect their schedules, why should they adhere to yours? Be professional by arriving several minutes early.

3. Write down workouts. Many trainers don't follow this practice, yet it is crucial. Not only should you record initial measurements and tests, as well as periodic updates, each session should be recorded with notes. Why?

a) Performance Tracking: Clients are paying you for results. What better way to illustrate them than with hard documentation? This also becomes crucial when it's time for them to renew their sessions.

b) Document Client Specifics: Maybe a specific bar or machine hurts a client--nothing will annoy them more than being led to the apparatus and having to say, "I told you I can't do this one." They should only have to tell you once. Medications, injuries, goals--it is extremely important for this information to be at your fingertips.

4. Don't talk about yourself. What does this mean? This refers to the relationship that exists between the trainer and client--and those who have trained professionally for any period of time know they serve as a type of (and here we use the term loosely) "psychiatrist." Your role is to listen, not to get too involved or too personal and definitely not to discuss your problems. It is their hour. Keep the relationship on a professional level and at an objective distance at all times, focusing on the workout.

5. Don't talk about your clients to others. Clients often tell their trainers extremely personal information, which should never be discussed with anybody. Treat it like the attorney/client privilege. They should be comfortable knowing that what they tell you goes no further than the two of you. Respect their privacy.

6. Never stop reading, listening and learning. It doesn't matter how many degrees or certifications you have, you can always learn more. Subscribe to trade journals and publications, attend conferences and workshops, and listen to other professionals. You should have an appetite for knowledge that never ends. Study, study and study some more. This is your career; treat it as such or be left behind.

7. Practice what you preach. Again, one would think that this would be self-explanatory, yet this guideline is violated at the most basic level. This is not to say that you need to be an Ironman athlete or Olympian (although these definitely help), but you should, at the very least, lead a healthy lifestyle. This means no smoking, drug use or alcohol abuse. Eat healthy, exercise regularly and be a good role model for your clients. Fitness is not simply a job, but it is most definitely a way of life. Be a leader.

8. Be honest. This refers to answering your clients' fitness-related questions. If you do not know the answer to a question posed to you, admit it. Nothing is worse than giving a client blatantly incorrect information. Doing so will come back to haunt you. Most trainers are not medical doctors, yet clients sometimes believe trainers possess infinite medical knowledge. Answer what you can and tell them you will research the answer further if necessary. It is always good to have a doctor whom you can call with such questions. Such an alliance will benefit you, the doctor and most importantly, your client.

9. Smile! It is not uncommon to see a trainer with a client and the trainer looks like he/she would rather be anywhere but there. Who would want to pay hundreds of dollars to spend several hours a week with someone like this? Some clients don't want to go to the gym in the first place and they will definitely not want to pay to train with someone they don't enjoy being around. Smile! Be positive and encouraging and watch your business flourish.

10. Practice all of these rules all of the time. Reread them often, implement them always, and be well on your way to becoming a successful and respected fitness professional.

Tom Holland is the president of Team Holland Health and Performance, a fitness company based in New York. He is a regular consultant and has contributed to publications such as Self magazine.