How can you handle client conflicts over exercise equipment preferences?
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As a functional trainer, you know the benefits of using various equipment to challenge your clients and improve their performance. But what if your clients have different preferences or opinions about the equipment you choose for them? How can you handle client conflicts over exercise equipment preferences without compromising your professional judgment and client satisfaction? Here are some tips to help you deal with this common issue.
Before you assign any equipment to your clients, you need to assess their needs and goals. What are they trying to achieve with functional training? What are their current abilities and limitations? What are their preferences and expectations? By asking these questions, you can tailor your program to suit their individual needs and goals, and explain why you choose certain equipment for them. You can also use this opportunity to educate them about the benefits and drawbacks of different equipment, and how they can help them reach their desired outcomes.
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Luiz P.
Hospital CEO
Addressing client conflicts over exercise equipment preferences requires effective communication and flexibility. Listen to their concerns, explain the benefits of various equipment, and find a compromise that meets their fitness goals. Educate them on the versatility of different options and consider incorporating a variety of exercises into their routine to accommodate preferences.
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Fran Kilinski
Holistic Health Coach | Entrepreneur | Mental Health Advocate | Simplifying Health With Unique Content
In your intake process with a client, make sure you accurately understand what they’re trying to achieve, and work within their parameters (at a gym, at home, outdoors) to help them achieve them. It starts with honest communication about what kind of effort is needed to make. The changes they want is essential. If you have the conversation upfront that a training-from-home client will need to do significantly more work without investing in equipment, for example, it will make the pursuit of their goal less daunting.
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Sometimes, your clients may have valid reasons to dislike or avoid certain equipment. For example, they may have injuries, allergies, or phobias that make them uncomfortable or unsafe with some equipment. Or they may have personal preferences or beliefs that affect their choices. In these cases, you should respect their opinions and offer options and alternatives that can still achieve the same or similar results. For example, if your client hates kettlebells, you can suggest dumbbells, sandbags, or medicine balls instead. If your client is afraid of heights, you can avoid using ladders, boxes, or ropes. By offering options and alternatives, you can show your clients that you care about their comfort and well-being, and that you are flexible and creative as a trainer.
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Fran Kilinski
Holistic Health Coach | Entrepreneur | Mental Health Advocate | Simplifying Health With Unique Content
Hypertrophy, improved cardiovascular endurance, and better quality of movement are the top three things a majority of your potential clientele will want. All three of these things can be achieved with any variety of equipment, with certain equipment having specific limitations. Still, if you’ve accurately assess the clients goals, you can accurately judge when someone will need to change or modify their equipment or training style to ensure further progress.
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Another way to handle client conflicts over exercise equipment preferences is to involve them in the decision-making process. Instead of imposing your choices on them, you can ask for their input and feedback. For example, you can ask them what equipment they enjoy using, what equipment they want to try, or what equipment they want to avoid. You can also ask them how they feel about the equipment you choose for them, and if they have any suggestions or questions. By involving them in the decision-making process, you can build rapport and trust with your clients, and make them feel more engaged and motivated in their training.
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Nicolas Sart
Tailor-made Home Gyms | Workout Discipline | Founder of Enso Bodyweight Training System
It is not only important for us to be flexible and have the knowledge to adapt an exercise to a client's preference, but also to involve them in the decision-making process. This gives them ownership and in turn makes them more likely to stay consistent with the program.
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While it is important to respect and accommodate your clients' preferences, it is also your role as a trainer to challenge them to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. Sometimes, your clients may have misconceptions or fears about certain equipment that prevent them from using them. Or they may have habits or biases that limit their potential. In these cases, you can challenge them to step out of their comfort zone and try new equipment that can benefit them. For example, you can explain how using a TRX can improve their core stability and balance, or how using a slam ball can enhance their power and coordination. You can also use positive reinforcement, encouragement, and feedback to help them overcome their resistance and gain confidence.
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Fran Kilinski
Holistic Health Coach | Entrepreneur | Mental Health Advocate | Simplifying Health With Unique Content
Monotony will inevitably bore personal training clients, and as nice as it would be for us to achieve great results with the same equipment forever, there will certainly come a time where things need to be upgraded and the routine will need to be changed. Always be asking for feedback, to be sure that you catch signs of boredom in a training program before they become awkwardly apparent. If you’re talking to your client and discuss that some changes need to be made, this might be the best time to introduce potential new equipment. Having this organic discovery of leaving their comfort zone for me has been the best way to ensure client retention.
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Finally, you need to manage expectations and communication with your clients when it comes to equipment preferences. You need to be clear and honest about what you can and cannot provide, and what your clients can and cannot expect. For example, you need to inform your clients about the availability and accessibility of the equipment you use, and how it may vary depending on the location, time, and demand. You also need to communicate your rationale and goals for choosing the equipment, and how it aligns with your clients' needs and goals. You need to listen to your clients' feedback and concerns, and address them promptly and professionally. By managing expectations and communication, you can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, and maintain a positive and productive relationship with your clients.