What I look for in a client

When it comes to training clients, a big part of my job in is to fit as much quality work in to a thirty minute training session as possible.


But while I am constantly refining my approach, I sometimes come across words and ideas which challenge me to stop and consider.

One such phrase came to me during a fitness presentation several years ago on the importance good customer service:

"Noone cares how much you know until they know how much you care"

Spoken by a top professional in my industry, this phrase crosses my mind every time I find myself beginning to rush a client through an exercise or fall behind in the order of the session.

Though I will always be concerned with getting in everything that has been planned for that day, most important to me now is that the client has a fun and enjoyable experience-even if they curse my name a few times before leaving!

On the flip side of the equation, I derive great pleasure from watching clients show up to stretch early, improve their form in certain exercises and show me their nutrition logs.

In short, this shows me you care and makes me want to work harder to give you amazing service. Unfortunately due to both schedule and life, this is not always the case.

While many articles have been written about what to look for in a personal trainer, I thought it would be useful to touch upon the things which I really value from clients and what you can do in any situation to get the most out of your trainer.


1. Showing up 10-15 minutes early for a session

Because we deal mainly with thirty minute training sessions, every moment is structured to allow for maximum efficiency. For a client training for fatloss, a typical workout looks something like this:

- Warm up- 5 min
- Strength training- 10 minutes
- Metabolic training- 10-15 minutes
- Corrective/core exercise- 5 minutes

One of my first practices with new clients is to issue and review a pre-workout stretching and foam rolling routine to prepare the body for the day's work. Showing up to perform this routine early immediately adds at least 7-10 minutes to actual exercise time during our session.

But for those arriving 10-15 minutes late-which is sometimes the case with busy clients-the workout begins to look more like this:

- Warm up- 5 minutes
- Strength training- 5 minutes
- Metabolic training- 10 minutes


This puts pressure on both the client and the trainer and shows me a lack of respect for the task at hand.

2. Communicating with your trainer


Relating very closely to point one, trust and communication between trainer and client is essential for success in and out of the gym.

One thing I often see with new clients is a tendency to keep quiet during an exercise when their expression indicates they may be experiencing pain or discomfort.

From day one, it is important to realize that the main role of your trainer during the workout is to provide the most enjoyable, pain free and well coached experience possible.

This can only be the case however when you communicate issues and information related to your situation. While this doesn't mean inviting your trainer over for dinner with the family, it does mean that they need to know anything which may affect your workout or time schedule.


These topics include:

· Exercises that cause pain and discomfort
· Scheduling issues
· Old or current injuries and/or limitations that nay affect your training
· Days when you are feeling tired, sick or not up to the normal routine. We will always have an alternative

· Specific goals (dress sizes lost, weight totals, event dates, etc)
· Praise for exercises and workouts you enjoy and suggestions on alternatives for those you do not


Knowing all of these things help me do my job better and construct a program which is more specific to your needs.

Join us for our next two tips as we take a look inside the Peak Fitness culture and best practices for keeping your trainer working hard for you!