<span style="font-weight: 400;">In my opinion one of the biggest problems in the industry is that coaches, trainers and fitness professional are forgetting some of the very basics we learn at the beginning of our journey into the health and fitness industry.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">More often than not PT’s, sports therapists and Pilates teachers have forgotten the anatomy they studied madly for, to gain their qualification. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Now hold on a minute there, I totally get it and understand that there is a reason for this! I did too!</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">We rarely speak that language and so it gets forgotten. For example, I understand that we would NEVER be heard saying to our clients…</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">“...r</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">ight so today Barry, we are going to concentrically and eccentrically challenge your antagonist posterior chain of muscles, to include rhomboids, mid trapezius, so we can encourage scapular retraction via the action of your sarcomeres…” blah blah blah</span></i>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So there is a reason WHY we forget BUT it is vital we DO NOT because there was a VERY GOOD reason we learned it in the first place! RIGHT??? (</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">I am glad you are nodding right now</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> :))</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Ok, so there were a lot of things we learned on our basic training that could actually be extremely helpful to us, that we may well have forgotten or not appreciated at the time when you think of the mass of information we have been gathering during and since our first qualification. This is what I want to remind you of, to show you how easy it can be to reignite your practice without paying for more courses, just yet…</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><b>Client Adherence - How To Get Your Clients To Follow The Plan</b></h3>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Adherence is HUGE for getting results with our clients, right!? You sigh inwardly and deeply when they confess they didn’t do any of the stuff you asked them to over the weekend because, well they had something better to do...or there was a wedding, or they ended up going to a party, they were tired after a hard week at their desk, the kids were demanding or they just forgot….etc etc</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the things that can most effectively affect adherence is clarity in the goal. Clarity in what it looks like, feels like and how long it might take, whether it is do-able in their crazy hectic life (</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">they will always have a more crazy hectic life than you by the way because you must have loads of time if you can go to the gym 6 days a week to train yourself and you look so buff, like you do this ALL the time and it’s really easy for you- eh!?</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">)</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So No 1 is to clarify A VERY CLEAR GOAL. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">So clear in fact that we call it a SMART goal. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Too often ambiguous and vague goals are accepted... </span>

&nbsp;

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Weight loss</span></i>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Get stronger</span></i>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be fitter</span></i>

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Less pain </span></i>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Nope not good enough, this could be a</span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> start point</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> towards finding their true goal because this is what the client THINKS their goal is. It is our job to get them towards a very SMART, positive and emotional goal otherwise the point of success may well be challenged and therefore your integrity as a trainer/coach. Also there could be a negative focus which can affect motivation. It is the emotion we need to get to, this is what truly drives and motivates so we need to help the client discover what it is.</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><b>The Tool - Smart Goals For Personal Trainers &amp; Their Clients</b></h3>
&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">You must remember SMART goal setting? One of the fundamental things taught when learning about how to manage a consultation. The client has come to see YOU because they can’t do it themselves, for some reason, so clearly they are willing to pay for YOUR advice so YOU can also hold them accountable. So be sure to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">listen</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, by allowing the client to have their say and in put but we have to help them get to the true nature of their REAL goal.</span>

&nbsp;

<b>S</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">PECIFIC </span>

<b>M</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">EASUREABLE </span>

<b>A</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">CHIEVABLE </span>

<b>R</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">ELEVANT </span>

<b>T</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">IME BOUND </span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>SPECIFIC </b></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Who are they? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">What exactly do they want to achieve?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">When in their mind do they want to achieve it by?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Where are they now? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Where will they be doing this? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Do they have what it takes In terms of equipment, time etc?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Which method will be best? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">How do you know?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Why are they doing this? Why now? </span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>M</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">EASUREABLE </span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">How can you assess and measure? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">What are your benchmarks to compare from start to finish and how will you monitor their progress??</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>A</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">CHIEVABLE </span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Is the goal true to all the variables? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Is it really attainable with the skills required? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Will you need to change attitudes? </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">If so how?</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Using what tools?</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>R</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">ELEVANT </span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">This has to make sense with the broad goal in mind </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">However there may be things that are relevant that the client hadn’t thought would contribute to their journey.</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>T</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">IME BOUND </span></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">This is one of the benchmarks in terms of when does it need to be or when do you want it to be achieved by? Is that possible with what is required ?</span>

&nbsp;
<h3><b>How Do We Gather This Information?</b></h3>
&nbsp;
<h4><b>Trainers/Coaches</b></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The best method for achieving this maybe speaking to your client over the phone </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">in advance</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of their first session or allowing for extra time in their first consultation. The last thing you want is for their first session to be a disappointment to them because they barely got to ‘train’ or it was more talking than doing. You could send them questions in an email in advance to discover what exactly is expected, needs to be in place, if you are the right match for each other or if you need to refer them to another professional first for clearance (ie if they have pain, symptoms or an issue you are not qualified to deal with (red flags).</span>

&nbsp;

Or actually take the time to sit down with this potential client and have a face to face consultation, where you talk through all of this. This allows you to get an idea of where they are to begin with and if they are going to be a good client. Make this a free session so they know your goal is not simply about taking their money and make sure the client knows its not going to be a training session. This way you both know what to expect. And for anyone thinking... I don't want to give an hour of my time for free... just think.... this person could potentially be paying hundreds/thousands of pounds over the next year or longer... is 1-1.5 hours of your time worth it...?. You freaking bet!

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Also, explain to THEM what to expect from this professional relationship at that first point of contact. They have some control but ultimately they are paying for your guidance. For example “ </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">I will be asking you to do this or that...ok</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">?” Set out for them how YOU work and you do it this way because it works.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Use the questions above to really get to the crux of WHY they want to change something. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Get to the emotional part of WHY then create measurable benchmarks for the success of this. Make them as </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">specific</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as you can.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">When someone is seeking to change behaviour the common theme is usually that they have lost confidence in their ability to do something or they are struggling with their strategy to achieve the task/goal.</span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>Identify The Problem First</b></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">The true problem/dilemma needs to be identified first prior to any advice or change or planning or programming. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">This allows for appropriate planning and strategies to be implemented by the individual or with the help of the right professional </span>

&nbsp;
<h4><b>What Do We Do?</b></h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">Create a list of questions to help you identify the SMART goals. </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">The questions list is not exhaustive and often additional questions will come up naturally from the conversation. </span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">But please do not underestimate the value of the time you spend on the consultation and information gathering part at the beginning of your relationship with a client. Clients will often tell YOU what they want to do but we need to be able to use the information they have given us to use to support their idea with our knowledge of what is realistic or a more accurate goal. YOU are the one with the professional knowledge and experience that they are paying you for. Make it clear by paraphrasing back to them regularly what THEY have said so they know that you are listening AND hearing what they are saying.</span>

&nbsp;

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Coach &amp; Train SMART!</span>

&nbsp;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp8PRby27BA

&nbsp;

<b>Next Time More Tips On BEHAVIOUR CHANGE For Your Client:</b>

&nbsp;

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Identifying The Root Problem, Accountability &amp; Owning It!</span></i>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<hr />

<h2></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Would You Like To Be Able To Reduce Your Clients Risk Of Injury, &amp; Help Them Get Even Better Results?</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Want to be able to help your clients move better, move more freely and get even better results on their programmes?</h3>
<p style="text-align: center;">Then <a href="https://biomechanicseducation.clickfunnels.com/biomechanics-coach-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here to find out more about our Biomechanics Coach Diploma</a> and how it could help you become an even better personal trainer.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Not ready to jump on the full diploma? Then come along to one of our 1 day workshops. <a href="https://biomechanicseducation.clickfunnels.com/biomechanics-coach-split">You will LOVE this day, want more information on these, simply click fill in the info and just let us know you want more information about the </a>1 day workshops.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://biomechanicseducation.clickfunnels.com/biomechanics-coach-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7922 size-large" src="https://www.biomechanicseducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Biomechanics-Coaching-courses-UK-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" /></a></p>