Whether or not you’re a fellow trainer, have you ever been in a group class with someone or overhead someone working with their trainer that is defeated before the workout even begins?
This is the client that walks into the room already saying, “I’m not very good at that” or “I have bad knees” or “My balance is awful”.
It’s like they are already making excuses for their performance before we have a chance to get started. Many people seem to think that the trainer is judging them or wondering why they can’t do better when in reality, a great trainer is going to gear the work specifically to your needs and goals.
I can’t WANT you to reach your goals more than YOU want to reach your goals. It is a two way street of effort, trust, respect, and motivation. Coming in with excuses of why you can’t do movements before you were even asked to do any movements implies (at least to me) that you’re going to have an excuse for every potential problem.
If you’re in a position where you and your trainer or coach are not a great match, then find a coach that you do work well with or that you do trust to help you reach your goals.
To the person that walks into the gym already telling me about their bad knees: I’m never going to put you through a workout designed to hurt you or your knees, or do more harm than good. Chances are if we take two seconds and correct form, positioning, speed, range of movement, and have a clear goal of where each exercise should be felt, then the workout should benefit you and get your the results you’re looking to achieve.
To the client walking into the room already defeated, making excuses, and inevitably going to do whatever you want anyway: I am not your best fit for a trainer or coach. You may be better off with a different type of workout altogether. Find what suits your personality and your goals so that you attend each session with confidence and come away feeling BETTER than when you arrived.
People tend to make excuses for what they do not want to do OR for what they feel they may not be great at. As a general rule, people like to feel successful and want to feel like they are doing a great job at the task at hand.
Guess what? As a trainer I am totally judging! But I’m not judging you. I’m wondering who you’ve worked with before that left you with zero confidence and left you feeling like you had to walk in the room with disclaimers in case your performance was awful.
Remember that your trainer or coach is supposed to make you feel confident, inspired, and like the biggest bad ass that ever walked the planet. So if you’re getting anything less, I’d find someone or something that does make you feel that way. Fitness is supposed to be fun. It is supposed to make you healthy, energized, and on top of the world.
Find something good for your health that you actually love and give it everything you’ve got!
I Am A.B.L.E. 