Inside A Client's Head: What You Need to Know

by Mary Bratcher (MA)

What happens when you ask your client all the right questions, actively listen to his answers, only to feel you are missing something?

Maybe it's time to get inside your client's head.

Mary Bratcher, MA, co-owner of The BioMechanics in San Diego, believes there is far more to the client/trainer relationship than meets the eye.

Hidden psychological factors can influence how a client responds to an exercise program. In fact, the very reason many people seek the assistance of a personal trainer may also be the reason why so many clients have trouble sticking to their plans! They may believe the ultimate responsibility for program success rests with the trainer.

Understanding the psychology of authority can help trainers shift the focus of responsibility where most of it belongs - onto the client.

Getting inside a client's head can also help trainers understand why a client may get 'moody' during workouts. Knowing how to identify and address anxieties surrounding diet and exercise will enable trainers to design exercise programs that are tailored to motivate the individual and guarantee success for their clients and their business.