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By and large, our customers are seeking pros who practice what they preach. Prescriptive exercise can sometimes become formula driven. Unfortunately, some trainers become disenchanted with the method themselves and forsake their own workouts in order to fill those slots with clients. If your purpose in fitness is more centered around money than wellness, your participants will know. Putting the needs of others first sounds like a wonderful thing, neglecting your own conditioning however, just makes you look like a hypocrite. You will be a more authentic instructor, healthier and happier person, and more satisfied professional if you make sure you continue in your own fitness quest.
Instructors who seem “real” are in the business for the participants. They seem to possess exceptional information, amazing communication skills, and infinite compassion for novice participants. None of these things can be faked. If you don’t know an answer, it is unethical, unprofessional, and disrespectful to pretend that you do. Clients prefer honesty. It is acceptable to say, “I’m not sure, but I will research it and get that to you next time.” Pretending to be omniscient leads to the perception that you are unreachable and disconnected from the difficulties faced by the deconditioned. Participants do not expect you to have all the answers all the time, they expect you to be honest, approachable, and capable of finding answers you don’t yet have.
 Beyond credibility and certification, the fitness consumer expects a lot from his/her own trainer. Timeliness, cleanliness, and courtesy are just the beginning. No matter how much your client “likes” you, he/she will simply not tolerate your frequent tardiness, poor hygiene, or rudeness. Conduct yourself in the gym as if you were in a professional meeting. Should you forge friendships with your participants, reserve casual talks for social settings. It is still critical to be a professional when you are being paid for your services. Dress well in the facility as well. Just because you will be engaged in physical activity doesn’t mean you have to wear a ratty t-shirt and bike shorts during a session. A nice pair of track pants and a golf shirt or structured tee can go a long way toward making you look like the pro and not the participant.
Ultimately, your ability to present yourself in a way that is authentic and genuine will determine your success. Maintain your own fitness level so that you are “walking the talk”. Be careful to communicate with honesty and integrity. There is no need to feel pressured to know it all. Make sure to always be on time, well groomed, professionally dressed, and polite. Pushing a client is acceptable. Demeaning him/her is not. These are the details that you may have overlooked in your quest to learn about all the latest fitness fads and trends. They are no less important, however, than your knowledge of exercises and equipment. There are a number of courses you might consider to assist in your improvement as a fitness pro. Check out www.scwfitness.com for home studies and MANIA offerings!
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