Dealing with Unmotivated Clients

Nothing brings me down like dealing with an unmotivated client. You would think that they would put in some effort since they are paying good money for your personal training services. But it can be really difficult to get some people to put in the effort to train.

And of course, I hate it when clients don't show up for appointments. I'll never get used to that.

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Nagging clients!
by: Hanan

Clients who nag about workouts...and complain about the weights being too heavy!!

Some clients make you sometimes feel that they are forced to do the session.

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Misery love Company
by: Anonymous

It's human nature that they all want to look good by living a life of delusion and bad body image. Like of self-esteem and taking advice from peer groups that down even workout. Can we say ignorance.

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Complaining Clients
by: Tony

I had one lady who complained a lot. I would want her to do things and she would just say no. Seriously. Other times, she would be in the middle of a set and just stop and say, "That's enough." And put the weight down. Then she would ask if something was wrong with her because she never got sore...aaaarrghhh!

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I hear you!
by: perSAULnal training

The worst is when you have a couple of clients like that, they just drain you sometimes. I had a client that said she couldn't do anything. Every time i asked her to do something she would say "i cant do that" or "i cant do that many". I stopped training her for a few months and when we started back up she completely did a 360 and started to do everything i asked her to do and then some. I wish i could say that is was something i did but i'm not sure i did anything.

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Forget your supposed to be a motivator
by: Anonymous

You guys must be young - your whining like your clients. Most important is you are a MOTIVATOR, always give the client a win, if the weights are to heavy ok, give them something different and make it fun so they walk out feeling GOOD like ACCOMPLISHMENT it will want to make them do more.

Trainer does not mean dictator - its a Coach, find what works who cares if they moan - its all new to them and up to you to make it good, its hard to start a new routine.

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your right anonymouts...
by: pt and pilates

you are right anonymous, it is our job to motivate and make the workout fun for people, but there are just some clients that are plain jerks.. i have had one in particular that did it all, complained about reps, weight, refused to progress, so i simply told her that our relationship wasn't working out and suggested her to another trainer (an older woman) that would be better for her.

there you go..

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Seriously?
by: Anonymous

If the client was capable of motivating themselves than why should they pay you?
It's the biggest part of being a trainer. If you can't get your client, interested, engaged and committed it is your responsibility to find what works for them or refer them to someone who can.
And secondly, their issues are not your issues so don't make it about you!

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It's not always the client!
by: Anonymous

I was HIGHLY MOTIVATED,and ALWAYS on time for my sessions. And YES, I was paying GOOD MONEY! The trainer, however, kept trying to tell me I was unmotivated or I wouldn't have hired them, nor would I have needed a trainer in the first place. Anytime, I asked questions I was told I needed to trust them insteadof asking questions. The trainer was often late, did SEVERAL no-shows ON ME, and called way too late to cancel, at other times. I was also told early on I had to stay with them and was not allowed to pick my own trainer at the gym. Eventually, I had enough and said too bad- to find out, I could've had my choice in trainer from day one. Found awesome, new trainer, but weight lingering because of first horrible experience...and I am still very motivated- it sucks, really. And the gym never did refund me for the bad training sessions. Obviously, looking for new gym when contract ends. So, it is NOT ALWAYS the client! Please keep in mind, that sometimes, it can just be a BAD trainer!

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Realizing distinction in professional boundaries
by: Anonymous

Having read this string of comments a few times now, I'm begging to see a few common threads, among them being the reality of being a professional trainer has its challenges in seeing succes in the relationships that are built with clients. For instance, professional trainer/ instructor does not equal therapist re: clients time management, organization and willingness to invest in the process. Unfortunately society has a way of habits for better or worse having unintended effects. The possibility here ,among many might look like good standards in practice, clear focus in activity toward results, mutual investment in good form,, focus of attention and consistent measure of results. A good trainer also recognizes when the relationship really is working for the client and trainer alike. Another angle might look like clarifying this is not a product, it's a relationship geared toward specific results, when the pieces are in place it works, payment is part of this, organization is another, the benefits are perhaps much more than weight loss, strength, building muscle etc. people are far more dynamic than a few goals.... In being here aren't each of us intending much more than a time for money product? Being better humans and with great tools, motivated company and mutual results and creating all this together..... It's a powerful relationship, why waste a second ?

Dealing with Unmotivated Clients

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