personal training skills

The final step in our seven-part series on how to create a successful fitness business is an extremely important one. The problem to consider here is the situation where your client is expecting un-attainable or unrealistic results.

 

Most of the time clients will be expecting results that they cannot realistically achieve. The media has created an environment where losing 20kg in 3 months is the norm and if you do not achieve this, you’re a failure. As a fitness professional, you know that this isn’t healthy nor realistically attainable. If your client is aiming to lose 3-5kg a week but you think 2kg is more sensible, you will run into problems. In this case, it is likely that your client is going to be disappointed or dissatisfied with your services and may stop training with you.

 

To ensure this does not happen, you must be honest and come to an agreement regarding client expectations of results. Never promise anything that you cannot deliver and equally as important, do not undersell yourself. Have pride in the valuable service you are providing, but only offer clients what you can confidently provide.

 

Expectations and results are not the only factors to consider. Both your client and yourself need to clearly determine the number of sessions necessary per week including what time and for how long. There is no point signing up a new client when you only have three spaces a week and they want to train every single day. You also cannot delay sessions for clients who are running 15 minutes late since you could spend that quality time with another client. Put simply, you both need to be clear about each of your schedules.

 

Exercise: Create a list of your client’s expectations as well as your promises to those clients. Discuss these and in doing so, ensure everyone is committed to the same goals. This will ensure high chances of success for both your client and yourself.