If you only read just one thing today then you probably need to read this, especially if you are a personal trainer or work in the fitness industry.
It's a post from former Internet Fitpro staffer Aimee Holland. She has very kindly given me permission to reproduce it for you in the hope that even if it can help just one Personal Trainer help someone then it will have had an impact.
Honestly this is a must read for personal trainers and anyone in the fitness industry who wants to understand their perfect client or avatar as we call it. Especially if your perfect clients is a 30 something mum who wants to lose weight.
Here it is:
Dear Personal Trainer:
I know I'm fat again and I know I should be in the gym 3/4 times a week. I know I should be eating healthy food and I know it's all in my head. I know it's me that needs to change.
But… I need you to know some stuff too. Showing me your chiseled abs just makes me feel even more shit about myself. Posting pictures on Instagram about your super efficient meal prep when I struggle to put together one healthy meal totally overwhelms me.
Those videos of your personal bests or insane training routine make me want to run for the hills and hide.
Stop Confusing Me
You confuse the shit out of me with all the conflicting advice around ‘nutrition', carb loading, meal timings and macros. I still haven't a clue if I should eat carbs or not.
This is what I need from you
Show me you get it me and that you understand my struggle with my weight
Reach out and tell me it's going to be ok and you can help me.
Understand that it's not easy for me even thought it may be easy for you.
Make this really, really simple for me and don't overwhelm me with stuff.
Hold my hand and help me take one step at a time.
Meet me where I am right now.
Things I don't care about
- Your qualifications or certificates
- Your superior knowledge and technical jargon
- I don't care why your way is so much better than the next coach.
What I Care About
I just care about me.
- To look and feel amazing naked.
- I want to be fit enough to keep up with my other half in the bedroom
- I want to shop for clothes without choosing stuff that hides my fat.
- I want to live my life again without feeling like a failure every single day.
- I want to turn heads and show off my amazing figure.
- I want to wear a bikini on holiday
This is how you can help me
Show up in my world and let me see that you understand. Show me you understand me, my struggles and my wants Tell me about all the the clients you have helped just like me. Give me baby steps.
And please don't judge me because I'm not like you.
Give me the confidence to trust you with my life.
Tell me that you've got this, that you'll keep me on track, that you won't accept my shitty excuses for missing a session.
Teach me how to value myself like you do.
I can learn any exercise I want from YouTube so I'm not looking for an exercise routine.
- What I need from you is accountability.
- What I need from you is clarity.
- What I need from you is a cheerleader.
Yours
Aimee
‘That 30 something mum you're chasing with your advertising”
P.S. If you really understand me and I really trust you I'll pay all the money in the word for you to help me get what I want.