10 Things that Make a Good Personal Trainer from the Client’s Perspective

Happy New Year everyone! I can’t believe this is my first blog post for the year but it’s been great to have some down time to both rest and reflect on where I want to take Eat Pray Workout in 2018. One of the decisions I made was to become a personal trainer this year, so it’s back to study (despite swearing after 7 years of studying law and politics that I would never go back!). I love everything health (as you can probably guess)  and I really think this will help me serve my #EPWtribe (you) better, so it seemed like the right decision. Before I embarked on those studies though I wanted to note down what I think makes a good personal trainer from the clients perspective, so that I can reflect on it when it’s me coaching and make sure that I am giving my clients the best I can. If you’re a personal trainer, I hope this list helps you and if you’re a client, I would love to see if there’s anything I’ve missed that you think makes a good trainer – let me know by commenting below to add it to the list.

The top 10 things that I think make a good personal trainer from the client’s perspective

A good trainer:

1. Does the exercise with you unless they are checking technique. If they give a hard work out, they need to be fit enough to complete it and teach it at the same time – that is FAR more inspiring.
2. Checks and correct technique to avoid client’s injury.
3. Makes it fun, have a laugh and make jokes when you’re training with your clients. Training with a trainer should be something you love and look forward to.
4. Encourages and motivates people by their name, particularly in group training. If you’re being singled out it’s much more motivating if the trainer knows your name.
5. Knows the client’s limits and push them or equip them with options of how they can push them.
6. Knows when the client needs a low impact option (eg. injury, pregnancy, age, fitness level) and how to modify the exercise.
7. Always smiles!
8. If teaching a group constantly reminds of the relevant technique tips like ‘T-zone on’, ‘belly to back’ or ‘shoulders back and down’ – things that are easy to forget when you’re tired.
9. Checks in on how a client is progressing with their training – do they need to be pushed more? Are they recovering ok? How could they be better supported?
10. Considers more than just the physical fitness side of health but looks to general mental wellbeing and nutrition and knows the limit for when the client needs to see a specialist (dietitian, psychologist etc) in these areas.

Wearing 2XU (www.2xu.com/au)

Is there anything you would add to this list? I would LOVE to know, especially before I begin my course, so that I can always serve you well. Let me know in the comments below!