Unveiling Client Desires

NAVIGATING THE GAP BETWEEN EXPECTATION AND REALITY IN FITNESS

By Jen Rieder

IN THE REALM OF FITNESS, PERSONAL TRAINERS SERVE AS BOTH PHYSICAL GUIDES AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THEIR CLIENTS.

The journey toward wellness is a nuanced one, encompassing not only physical transformation but also mental and emotional growth. As trainers, we are often faced with a fascinating paradox: the chasm that exists between what clients say they want and what they truly desire and what they do in between. It is time we delve into this intriguing facet of our profession and explore how understanding this gap can elevate our ability to make a lasting impact.

The Surface Desires: A Closer Look

Clients often approach personal training with explicit goals that typically revolve around weight loss, muscle gain, or specific aesthetic changes. They are driven by societal standards, peer comparisons, and the aspiration to fit into a certain mold. While these goals are valid and provide a starting point, they often conceal deeper, unspoken desires. The majority of people think that by losing weight or having a desired physique they are more lovable, more respected, more worthy, more accepted, might even be able to ask for that pay raise, or more capable of starting that business.

Unraveling the Deeper Desires

Beneath the surface, clients harbor desires that go beyond just physical transformation. They seek confidence, empowerment, improved self-esteem, respect, acceptance, and a sense of accomplishment. In many cases, their motivation is rooted in personal struggles, life changes, or the pursuit of an enhanced quality of life. Many think having a better body will ‘fix’ all their problems. Just by looking at the client in-front of you and what level of health they have will straight away explain their internal struggles. Internal conversations are always worn externally. People who love, accept, and respect themselves have different standards for health than those who do not. It is our role as fitness professionals to recognize these deeper desires and create an environment that nurtures them.

Breaking Down the Gap: Why Does It Exist?

The gap between stated goals and underlying desires can be attributed to three factors:

External Expectations:

Media portrayals and societal standards shape what clients believe they should want. They may express desires that align with these expectations rather than what genuinely resonates with them. The brain works in pictures and is always being imprinted by these platforms on what they should look like to be accepted, loved or enough.

Fear of Judgment:

Clients might hesitate to reveal their authentic desires due to fear of judgment or perceived inadequacy. Creating an open, non-judgmental space is crucial for them to express their true aspirations. If one is not honest with themselves, they cannot create true change.

Lack of Self-Awareness:

Some clients might not be fully aware of their deeper desires. It is our responsibility to facilitate selfdiscovery conversations that uncover their motivations beyond the surface.

Bridge the Gap: Strategies for Personal Trainers

Active Listening:

Go beyond hearing the words and truly listen to your clients. Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to share their motivations, struggles, and aspirations.

Goal Reframing:

While addressing surface goals, engage in conversations that explore the emotional and mental outcomes they hope to achieve. Help them reshape their goals to encompass holistic well-being. Asking questions like; What could you do to respect yourself more? What would someone that loves themselves choose?

These questions reveal deeper habits and behaviors that need to change to build a healthy inner world that will support a healthier outer world. Setting up goals around the root cause of their personal struggles.

Empowerment-Centered Approach:

Shift the focus from just physical outcomes to fostering a sense of empowerment. Celebrate non-scale victories, increased energy levels, and enhanced self-perception.

Mind-Body Connection:

Introduce mindfulness and stress relief techniques that help clients connect with their bodies. This aids in addressing emotional triggers and fostering a deeper understanding of themselves.

Education: Educate clients about the psychological benefits of exercise, including its impact on mood, confidence, and cognitive function. This knowledge can inspire a more intrinsic and meaningful commitment.

Progress Tracking: Beyond measurements and weight scales, track clients’ progress in terms of their self-esteem, body positivity, and overall mindset. Tangible evidence of these changes can be powerful motivators.

Goal Reassessment:

Regularly revisit and reassess goals with clients. Encourage them to reflect on their journey, allowing their evolving desires to shape their fitness path.

Cultivating Lasting Change

As personal trainers, our role extends beyond sculpting bodies; we are sculpting lives. By acknowledging and addressing the gap between what clients say they want and what they truly desire, we can facilitate profound lasting change. Our ability to bridge this

gap with empathy, insight, and a wellrounded approach is what transforms fitness from a temporary pursuit into a lifelong journey of growth and wellbeing.

Let us embrace the complexities of human motivation, peel back the layers, and guide our clients toward a wellness that goes beyond the superficial. In doing so, we pave the way for authentic transformations that resonate on a deeper level and stand the test of time.

Together, let us elevate the art of personal training and redefine what it truly means to help our clients achieve their best selves.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Jen Rieder’s signature therapy and mentoring methods have helped 100’s of people heal and transform their lives across the world. Positive Change Integration is Jen’s unique process which blends NLP, Hypnosis, Time Line TherapyTM and psychology tools complimented by her years of experience in the health and fitness industry.