Back in the day, if someone was not motivated, I thought it was because they did not care or that they were not dedicated enough. Tough love was how I was raised and I thought everyone would respond the way that I did.
I was wrong…
Now that I think about it, I type that a lot…
I thought it was a work ethic issue.
Why are you here if you do not want to work hard? My empathy meter was very short back then
Next logical step for me was to figure out how to actually motivate people. I was a hammer and everything was a nail…so I needed more tools in my tool box.
That is when I discovered that people love volition. Or in other words, people like to be presented options and then picking said option.
Ironically, the main reason people hire us is so they do not have to make choices. However, I have learned that people will stick with a training regimen longer if they are listened to and have a certain amount of choice in their programming.
Here are a couple examples I use:
Picking main lifts
I do this a lot with our adult clients…especially our newer ones.
If they have a trap bar dead lift for their main lift, but they prefer to belt squat or push the sled, I will let them choose.
The rationale behind this is simple.
Most of our adults are here because they want to lose weight, feel better and get off the innumerable amount of medications that they are on.
So…if it makes you happier to push the sled as opposed to dead lifting…we are going to do it.
This not only drives retention but it also gives people that voice in their sessions/programming.
Variations
Zooming in a bit, I like to let people choose variations of certain exercises as well.
During our goal reviews when we are going over a clients progress and programming in the gym, I always ask how things are moving. Any pain present when moving or is there something that you simply do not like.
Some clients will say, I do not like step ups but I like split squats.
Easy fix. Split squats it is.
Or we may have a client not like goblet squats but would like to use the belt squat more.
Again, another easy fix.
Is doing one or the other going to ruin the program or their overall progress?
No
What will ruin the progress is if they do not keep training.
Free Days
I use this one with our athletes.
We have to train our athletes a certain way. And most of the time it is specific programming that has to be followed to get a desired result.
On Wednesdays at the gym, we have what is called “bro day”.
Our athletes will come in and do arms, shoulders and all the other great beach muscles.
Does this ruin my programming?
No.
Are they excited for every Wednesday?
Yes they are.
Has staff partook in “bro day” before?
We sure have
Just as the above examples, by allowing some freedom and being smart enough to not be a control freak, clients will stay on track for longer.
In closing, I am not advocating for random weird workouts and complying with every demand from clients. You still need to know anatomy, assessments, and program design. What is going to separate the good from the great is getting people to stay through subtle measures.
Need help with choices?! Click here https://getjdfit.com/free-intro-social/ to schedule your free consultation with me!
