The training session was going great until...
She didn't say anything after I uttered those words with confidence and a smile...she just stared.
It wasn't a nice stare - more like a glare - not exactly the evil eye but I got the point...I had upset her. Would there be a lawsuit? Would she tell the gym owners about what I said? Read on...
I had been training her for awhile, for about a year and she was getting good results. She was actually different than a lot of the clients I was used to training. You see, she actually asked questions about fitness during our sessions. This is something that many clients DON'T do.
Personal training is more than setting up the weights for you...
Competent personal trainers WANT you to learn more about fitness...
We would LOVE for you to ask more questions...
Yes we like to share stories and develop a nice friendship/business relationship but first and foremost should be teaching clients and helping them get RESULTS
So what did I say to her that ticked her off?
I actually meant it as a compliment but I chose the wrong words. On that particular day she was asking me many more fitness questions than usual. I was enjoying answering them for her, I really was. Towards the end of the session after a set I said to her "If I could train you, I could train ANYONE" oops picked the wrong words...
What I really meant was that...she was a great challenge for me to train because she actually demanded accountability from her trainer - you see too many clients are content on allowing their trainers to just put them through the motions. I've seen it so many times. A person has been training with a personal trainer for years - and still doesn't know how to put together a basic program for themselves! As a client you should strive for improvement in health and fitness as well as learning more about health.
What ended up happening?...
So did I get fired?...not exactly...Did I get sued - nope
My client didn't say anything that session but the following one she expressed how she felt. I had hurt her feelings. I apologized and gave her 10 FREE sessions (okay I didn't give her any free sessions). After explaining to her what I meant she forgave me but she said "you should watch your words more" - Almost 10 years later I have DEFINITELY taken her advice and learned from it.
How do you handle a situation where you know you have said the wrong words?...
Health and Happiness,
Daniel Stone
While I'm not a trainer, I have been in a few situations where I said something the wrong way. I meant it one way, and it came out completely different.
I've found that the best way to handle it is to laugh it off by saying something like... "oops! That didn't come out the right way. What I meant to say was....."
Usually this diffuses the situation pretty quickly.
Very interesting blog. I have been in a similar situation in the past where a client I was training thought I was flirting with her even though I was trying to improve her confidence by saying that her body is starting to look much better. Wasn't good when I told her that I wasn't flirting. It happens I guess in our jobs we will occasionally slip up with words but hey we are only human.