Beat the Clock. Fitness Training and Punctuality.

   I was a Johnny come lately!
In a previous life I was a civil servant. Of course, working an office job didn't fire up my passion neurons the same way as did being a Fitness Trainer. I didn't perceive of myself as a bad worker but I was saddled with a bad rap.
I was always late! It wasn't by much, maybe 5 or 10 minutes, but it was every day. My excuse was that I was still bagged in the morning from the previous evening's diet of activities such as track and field, hockey, weight training or amateur wrestling. It was a case of avocation at the expense of vocation.
   I often stayed late to make up for the time lost. I can remember many a Friday night before a long weekend where I stayed for hours after quitting time to empty my 'IN' basket. It didn't matter to the powers that be. I was not punctual! Therefore there was this assumption that I was also lazy, unreliable and unworthy of promotion. The same powers that be were not around to observe me making up the time.
They all left early on Fridays! Flex time was for managers only!
   Of course, it would have caused me less hassle to just crawl out of bed earlier each morning. However, being late is a bad habit to get into and for some can be a tough habit to break!
   When it came time for my career change I decided to eliminate any excuses to success.
I quit my late habit cold turkey. It meant disabling the 'doze' button on my alarm clock. Surprisingly, there were no severe withdrawal symptoms.There were no shaking fits, no spells of nausea, and no hallucinations of giant spider attacks. I am now the early bird!
    If you are late as a Fitness Trainer, then you risk losing the client! It is unprofessional to be consistently tardy in this business. Your clients are often pressed for time. Don't give them a reason to question the need for your services. Word travels fast in the fitness business.
Your reputation is your career!
   There are three peak times of availability for most Fitness Training customers.

1. Before work in the morning
2. Lunch time 
3. After work

      If you can't be relied upon to haul your carcass out of bed in time for morning clients, you will be making yourself unavailable to a large block of potential income. Trying to make it up later in the day the rarely pays off.
(For proof, reference my civil service career.)
    If you are tardy for an initial session or consultation, you are likely toast for trying to sign that prospect.

      Of course, life happens. Traffic, weather, family, car problems and other distractions can slow you down. Just in case, have a well defined contingency plan in place with your clients.

• Contact the client immediately if you are delayed. Having them on speed dial is a smart idea.
• Offer that session without charge if you are significantly late.
• If you miss a session completely, be prepared to offer make-up sessions.
• Ensure that the client is comfortable with doing the warm-up procedures on their own. That way if   you are held up they are doing something productive rather than wasting time waiting.

   Many Fitness Trainer's travel from location to location to work with their clients. Remember, that time and distance along with traffic issues will not always lead to an optimal commute time.There may also be issues with tardy clients that throw you off schedule. Plan for this when booking work-out times. Aim for an arrival time well before the actual appointment.
   If you are like me and not the brightest eyed person in the morning, don't rely on one alarm clock! 

Punctuality is crucial for a Fitness Trainer!
Have a back-up plan so you don't sleep away a fitness appointment.

Get a back-up clock or watch. Most importantly, never, ever, reach for the 'doze'
 button.
If you snooze, you lose!
Until next time,..........stay fit!

Little Bobby Strong

P.S. Comments are welcome.

schwabe27.uwmfatloss.hop.clickbank.net