Introduction
Being a personal trainer is a job that’s multifaceted. Good personal trainers are motivators, mentors, teachers, coaches and often friends. They have the power and influence opportunity to make a real difference in their clients’ lives, however to do this and be a great personal trainer,, they should possess a number of qualities that help them connect with clients, inspire behavioural change and deliver results. This article will break down what these traits are.
Passionate
Passion should be a guiding principle for any personal trainer with success. A genuine love for fitness and a desire to help others improve their lives is often what gets PTs into the career, and it’s when this passion is maintained over time that it has a clear difference. When clients see their PT’s enthusiasm, it can help them push harder. Furthermore, passionate personal trainers are far more likely to keep looking for learning opportunities, staying up to date with the latest trends and knowledge, to improve both their skillset and their value to clients.
Adaptable
Adaptability is a quality which is often overlooked. Whilst knowledge, skill and passion are all important, good personal trainers must be adaptable in their approach, being flexible to change plans, communication styles and workout delivery to suit their clients. For example, if a client is recovering from an injury, the personal trainer should be able to create more of a rehabilitation programme. If another client has been training for triathlons and has a competition in 8 weeks, the personal trainer should be able to build them a performance focused programme with hard training and taper phases. Adaptability also includes being able to think on your feet, and change things spontaneously if the initial plan idea working out as planned.
Patient
Patience is an important virtue whilst personal training, as progress for clients can vary dramatically. Some may struggle with consistency and motivation, meaning slower progress, potential misunderstandings and the requirement to do things a few times before correct movement patterns are established. A good personal trainer will understand that positive change can take time, and work with clients at their own pace. You might need to explain concepts multiple times or find different ways to coach things until the client fully grasps them.
Knowledgeable
Knowledge and personal trainer skills remain a central quality for all personal trainers. You must have a great understanding of anatomy, physiology, basic nutrition and exercise science. You must be aware of and keep up to date with the latest trends and industry advancements, as well as proven, evidence-based coaching practices. The communication of this knowledge is equally as important, and so fundamental skills in breaking down complex information and delivering it in simple, easy to understand concepts are also very important. In many cases, in order to communicate in this way, complete understanding of the knowledge you have is the key requirement.
Empathetic
Empathy is your ability to share and understand the feelings of someone else, putting yourself into their shoes. Clients can often have a range of personal channels such as low degree of experience, body image issues or previous health problems which can affect their mindset and approach to training. Being empathetic as a trainer is therefore required to tune into clients emotionally and provide the right level of support for them. By having a more empathetic approach, you can create a more trusting and supportive coaching environment.
Confident
Confidence is always key in personal training. You must be able to provide the guidance and reassurance that your clients want whilst they are pushing past their comfort zones and trying new things. A confident trainer gives the impression of high competence, which helps clients feel more secure in following the personal trainer’s lead.
It is important not to confuse confidence with arrogance. A confident personal trainer must be secure in their abilities but also open to feedback and have a willingness to admit when they don’t know the answers, with a readiness to continue learning.
DisciplineD
It goes without saying that personal trainers must be disciplined. Being punctual, prepared and consistent, whilst adhering to schedules and maintaining professional boundaries are all bare minimum standards for personal trainers. However, being disciplined in their own fitness and lifestyle is also incredibly important for personal trainers, in order to serve as a role model for clients.
Conclusion
This article has discussed some of the most important traits for personal trainers. By having these qualities, PTs can both improve the experience of their clients and have maximal impact. If you’re a seasoned trainer looking to take your knowledge to the next level, check out FFC, the course for personal trainers looking for mastery. If you’re not yet a personal trainer, then check out CPT, our level 3 personal trainer course.