Flexibility... by Art Rothafel

 How flexible are you?  Not your body.  But rather, your tolerance for clients who can not possibly make fitness as high a priority as you would like?  Are you tolerant... or more like:  "My way or the highway!"

Sandi Jenson recently told me about her Weight-Mgmt. 101 class where all of her participants (17) were at different levels of commitment.  Some were truly committed:  Journals filled out, menus completed, homework assignments completed, etc.  Others, were only half as thorough and some were getting almost nothing done. 

"How did you handle this discrepancy in motivation?"  I asked

"Simple," she said.  "First, I discovered it was NOT a matter of motivation.  It was all about time.  At the very first class I went around the room and asked each participant to describe their "typical day"  -- work, school, family, kids, organizations, leisure time, etc.  Each person's "day-in-the-life" was different.  It was obvious that some had more time than others.  I explained, very clearly, to the entire class that there is no right and no wrong to any of this.  HOWEVER, I was equally clear that their physical results would be totally dependent upon their time commitment to the course and associated activities.  No right, no wrong.  Just a fact. 

"Did it work?"

"Oh yes!  Once it was explained that their expectations could ONLY be referenced against their time commitment... everyone was O.K.  In other words, it was important to manage their expectations through reflection of their time and commitment."

Well done!  Managing expectations is key for fitness professionals.  It takes all the pressure off the trainer and puts it where it belongs ... with the client.

To your continued Success!
Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
privatelabelfitness.com
tollfree:  800-340-7011