Clients with no work ethic?

**GiZZmo** · 05-08-2012, 02:09 PM

What do you tell your clients that want the results without the HARD WORK? I have 2 clients one of which is very hard working and puts forth effort every workout so its easy to keep her motivated. The other comes to workout off and on, always complains about hurting somewhere, and is not following my dieting advice like she should. Rather than just blow it off I need some suggestions on how to get her on the right track. I know it mostly has to be her decision to do it for herself but I would really like to help her achieve her goals. Thanks for any constructive input you can give.

**JoeCannonMSCSCS** · 05-08-2012, 02:18 PM

If they have paid for their sessions in advance, charge them for sessions when they miss them. Or, put a time limit on sessions they have purchased. Nothing motivates people like losing money.

**Simmo0508** · 05-08-2012, 02:46 PM

There's a few different instances with this...

A) client doesn't train very hard (or at least tries their hardest and is at least focused and attentive and wants to learn), but is very reliable and sticks to bookings
B) client doesn't train very hard, doesn't really watch their food, doesn't seem to want to change their lifestyle, doesn't really stick to bookings, very on and off

Instance A, i'd keep them, and just explain to them what's going on in honest terms. Say that they can be training harder, you expect more, you see potential etc., and that results will be minimal if a big improvement doesn't come along. If your rapport if high with them, you should be able to talk to each other without hurting each other's feelings. Our job as the professional is to lay it down for them and make them "see the mirror". A doctor for example doesn't tip toe around something if you have a certain medical condition. They let you know, and what you can do about it and treat it etc.

Instance B, they're telling you they aren't committed full stop. Not everyone is ready to change, or wants to change, or understand what's truly involved to achieve noticeable results (outside of the gym). We can provide as much info as we can, but it's all for nothing if they don't apply it when we aren't with them. Ultimately, as a professional, if they don't stick to bookings, one does not work with them again as they've shown they can't be reliable, and reliability in this industry is one of the main factors in a client being able to keep with a certain trainer. Trainer's very rarely cancel/reschedule on clients, but the clients do do that to trainers. So often, trainer's need to put their foot down on the one's who aren't that serious, and focus on those clients of theirs that ARE serious about change.

You can have a tonnn of clients, but only a few serious ones. If that's the case, understand that the not-so-serious ones will eat up office/paper work time when that time can be spent enhancing the paperwork of the ones who ARE serious and WANT it. So it's about, imo, the level of service you want to provide. Average/above average service to a ton of people, or superb service to a slightly smaller group, however whom you know are always gonna be reliable and where your work isn't going to be scrapped away and never used.

Lifestyle coaching and nutritional topics are always a part of a good PT's session (rest periods etc.), so you can be doing you're job, but they have to apply it. There's only so much you can do for some people. You can't force them.

**kristinpete38** · 05-08-2012, 03:14 PM

What you need to do is start having them log their workouts and their meals. This way, when they don't see results, you can ask to take a look at their workbook. You will not be held accountable. They will be more likely to follow through and will better understand that this process does not sit fully on your shoulders.

**JonGoodmanPTDC** · 05-08-2012, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by GiZZmo

What do you tell your clients that want the results without the HARD WORK? I have 2 clients one of which is very hard working and puts forth effort every workout so its easy to keep her motivated. The other comes to workout off and on, always complains about hurting somewhere, and is not following my dieting advice like she should. Rather than just blow it off I need some suggestions on how to get her on the right track. I know it mostly has to be her decision to do it for herself but I would really like to help her achieve her goals. Thanks for any constructive input you can give.

I say that you need to get down to the reasons why they're not adhering to your plan. Maybe they don't trust that you can get them results. This needs to be dealt with right away.

Likely you haven't made the experience emotional for them. My recommendation is to sit down and reevaluate the reasons why they are in the gym. Notice I didn't say goals. I don't think conventional goal setting works with the average client.

Figure out why they want to lose 5lbs, or run a 10k or anything else. Here's my trick in 3 steps:

Step 1: When they tell you their goal ask why and shut up.
Step 2: Ask why again... and shut up
Step 3 Ask why again... and shut up

Silence is awkward. They'll spill the beans to fill the air. Keep getting deeper and deeper until they tell you why they're actually in the gym. I promise it isn't to lose 5lbs. 5lbs is a bull**** goal that means nothing. It should sound something like:

"I want to lose 5 lbs so that I can fit into the red dress I wore on my cruise last summer in the Caribbean where my husband told me I looked beautiful while we drank a 2008 merleau."

That's powerful and it will get them moving. Then when you want to motivate them you work on emotion instead of bull**** goals. Say things like "these heavy-ass squats are metabolic meaning they burn a lot of calories so that you can fit into your red dress sooner"

I go into this process in detail in my book which is available on Amazon. I also have a chapter which deals with 10 common client types and how to deal with each individually. Shoot me a message if you have any questions. The book's called Ignite the Fire.

Good luck,
-Jon

**GiZZmo** · 05-08-2012, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the solid advice guys. I will definitely have a sit down with her now and explain what's gotta happen. If she decides she wants to still play the excuses game then I will find someone that wants to push themselves and do it for the right reasons.

**bigballin6161** · 05-09-2012, 09:20 PM

If they are not going to work hard you fire them. They will more than likely quit anyways. Also they will get zero results which is not good for getting future clients, and they may also bitch about gettting no results. Drop them your time is more important than that.

**MaxFuark** · 05-10-2012, 09:04 AM

Make it fun for them. That doesn't mean do goofy shiet with 10 different pieces of equipment at once, but try to find exercises or equipment that they actually like to use. I work in a boxing gym and a 1 hour sessions is generally split 30 minutes boxing and 30 minutes resistance training. People find the boxing a lot more fun than going on a treadmill or something like that so they come to me. Boxing isn't practical for everyone to do at a regular gym obviously, but try to find something that they do enjoy doing at least a little. If it's boring they won't be excited or looking forward to it.

Explain to them that they aren't going to see the results they want if they don't work hard for it. Say "I know it's hard, your muscles are burning, you're breathing heavy, sweating etc but just picture yourself in the future with (insert desired results here ie flat stomach, toned arms etc) and know that it will all be worth it in the end"

**bcomeaux** · 05-10-2012, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by bigballin6161

If they are not going to work hard you fire them. They will more than likely quit anyways. Also they will get zero results which is not good for getting future clients, and they may also bitch about gettting no results. Drop them your time is more important than that.