How Can You Help Clients Develop Strong Exercise Habits and Make Fitness a Lifestyle?

As a personal trainer or health coach, one of your key responsibilities is to guide individuals in developing strong exercise habits and incorporating fitness into their daily lives. Whether they are former active individuals who faced setbacks due to injury, illness, or major life changes, or complete beginners looking to improve their physical and mental health, your expertise and guidance can make a significant impact.

Rekindling the Flame: Supporting Clients Who Used to Be Active

If your clients have a history of being active but had to halt their exercise routine due to injury, illness, or significant life changes, they may feel discouraged and unsure about how to resume their fitness journey. Here are some key steps to help them get back on track:

1. Assess the current state: Understand the extent of the injury, illness, or life change that led to their break from exercise. Consult with healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists or doctors, to ensure a safe and appropriate approach to resuming physical activity.
2. Set realistic goals: Work with your clients to set achievable short-term and long-term goals. By breaking down their objectives into smaller milestones, they can experience a sense of progress and accomplishment, boosting their motivation.
3. Gradual progression: Encourage a gradual increase in intensity and duration of workouts, considering their current fitness level and any limitations. Emphasize the importance of listening to their bodies and respecting the healing process.

From Couch Potato to Fitness Enthusiast: Guiding Beginners

For individuals who have never been active and have recently decided to start working out, embarking on a fitness journey can be daunting. Here are some tips to help them kickstart their physical and mental transformation:

1. Start with low-impact activities: Encourage activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling to build cardiovascular endurance and improve overall fitness levels. These exercises are gentle on the joints and provide an excellent foundation for future workouts.
2. Find enjoyable activities: Help clients explore different types of exercise and find activities they genuinely enjoy. Engaging in activities that bring them joy significantly increases the chances of maintaining a consistent exercise routine.
3. Establish a routine: Assist clients in scheduling regular workout sessions into their daily lives. Consistency is key when forming exercise habits. Research has shown that individuals who exercise at the same time each day are more likely to stick to their routines.

The Optimal Time: Unveiling the Best Workout Hours

Finding the ideal time of day to work out can greatly impact an individual’s motivation and adherence to an exercise routine. Consider the following suggestions when guiding your clients:

1. Morning workouts: Encourage clients to try early morning workouts, as research suggests that exercising in the morning can improve mood, increase energy levels, and enhance overall cognitive function. Moreover, completing workouts early in the day ensures fewer disruptions and excuses.
2. Lunchtime exercise: For individuals with busy mornings or evenings, lunchtime workouts can be an excellent option. Breaking up the workday with physical activity can boost productivity and provide a refreshing mental break.
3. Evening workouts: While some studies indicate that physical performance might peak in the late afternoon or early evening, the optimal time can vary among individuals. Encourage clients to listen to their bodies and choose a time when they feel most energized and motivated.

As a NESTA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer or health coach, you play a vital role in helping clients develop strong exercise habits and make fitness an integral part of their lives. By addressing the unique challenges faced by those who used to be active and beginners, providing evidence-based suggestions, and considering optimal workout times, you can guide your clients toward success on their fitness journeys.

Resources for Personal Trainers

There are numerous career opportunities available to personal trainers who work at gyms, fitness centers or health clubs. Earning your NCCA-Accredited NESTA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification can help you stand out in the field and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

If you have yet to earn your professional credentials, this is critical. You need it for the safety of your client, your professional standing in the fitness industry, and liability reduction. Start with the NCCA-accredited NESTA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification.

Here is more information to help you. Read this next lesson on how to feel confident and have a successful interview for your first job at a gym.

Be on the lookout for future articles. You will also want to search through the archives of our blog because there are many other articles that go into great depth about a variety of topics. Here are two for you to check out now!

• How Do I Start a Successful Personal Training Business?
• The Mindset of a Successful Certified Personal Fitness Trainer 

Thanks for reading!