A Fitness Trainer Faux Pas - Standing Up a a Client!

   I work out at a different club than where I ply my trade. They have an enhanced membership section that is exclusive to those who pay elite fees. I must have gotten soap in my eyes in the shower. Somehow I wound up sitting in the enhanced membership steam room. I guess I wandered through an open security door while wiping my eyes clear. Mistakes can happen! They also coincidentally lack such a steamy, soul soothing amenity on the plebeian side of the locker room.
   I overheard one of the enhanced club members complaining that he was stood up by a Fitness Trainer for a weight room orientation.  Since I was persona non grata in that area of the spa my intent was to keep a low profile and just absorb the moist heat. However in this case I just had to get my two cents in.
   "Did the Fitness Trainer call you to tell you that they couldn't make the appointment?"  I asked. The jilted member gave me quizzical look. He obviously didn't recognize me as member of the enhanced steam room old boy's club. He did answer me though.  "No! He didn't call me!"
"Did he call the membership desk to have them contact you!" I continued.  The jilted member still appeared taken aback at my interrogation but still gave an answer. "No! There was no message to the front desk." The jilted member kept eyeing me suspiciously. "Do you have an enhanced membership? You don't look familiar." 
"I better hit the showers." I replied. It was time to flee. My covert steam room operation was about to turn into a burn notice.
   What I had just heard should have shocked me but I have been in the business long enough to know that this was not uncommon. I also knew this certain trainer to be the same one who did his own workout at the same time as he was training his clients. This same Fitness Trainer was often seen arriving late as his clients waited impatiently. I observe a great deal when I am at the gym.
   No-shows with no calls happens more than you would think in the Fitness Training arena! Events can conspire against a Fitness Trainer. Traffic jams, car breakdowns (my specialty), alarm clock malfunctions, and miscommunication can all lead to a no-show. Forgetfulness should rarely be an issue since a modern day Fitness Trainer will have an appointment book or a computer daytime planner page. However there is a possibility of slip ups if your clients are booked through a receptionist at a Fitness Center. I worked for a short time at one Fitness Club where the receptionist/sales rep kept booking clients on days in which I had it in the computer calendar that I was unavailable. It  put me in an unprofessional light since clients would be waiting at the fitness club for an appointment that I knew nothing about. No surprise - I didn't sign any of those jilted members to a Fitness Training package!
   In case of unforeseen circumstances, contingency plans are essential:

• If possible, speak with a prospective new client before setting an appointment. Make it clear that if something causes you to be tardy or miss the session, you will give them a free session as compensation.
• Try to have a contact number for a prospect in case you will be late or unable to make the appointment. For an existing client, you already should have a contact number.
• If you operate out of a Fitness Center, make an effort to let the front desk staff know if you can't make a session. Of course, you should also contact the prospect or the client. The front desk staff are your back-up plan.
• Make certain that the Fitness Center  booking person knows exactly when you are available and be clear that they MUST  notify you well in advance of any clients or prospects scheduled for your services. Your reputation is at stake. 

     
   Your regular clients should be somewhat forgiving if you are consistently professional. They will know that you are not a lackadaisical type of person. The most successful Fitness Trainer that I know is Greg Harvey, the proprietor of Fit N Well in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. According to  Greg  "If I miss a rare session for some reason, my clients are quite understanding. Most of them have missed at least one session during our time together. They are also confident enough to do a workout on their own for that day. They know that I will make it up to them."

   If you are a frequent no-show/no call type of Fitness Trainer, then there may be repercussions. If you have your own business, your clients are unlikely to renew their contract for further training sessions. If you are a frequent no-show and you work for a Fitness Center, it is quite possible that you will be sent packing. There are many other Fitness Trainers looking to take your place. Remember, there are more Fitness Trainers than Fitness Training jobs!
    

A potential client! A no-show/no call Fitness Trainer!
Do you think she will sign on for further sessions? 

   That's just the nature of the profession. In fact, I can't think of any vocation where constant no-shows are tolerated. As for my no show-contemporary at the club where I work out.
I hope you have a back-up career!

Until next time,....keep fit!

Little Bobby Strong





Links
schwabe27.uwmfatloss.hop.clickbank.net
AudienceBuilder.ca
www.fitnwell.com