By Richard Callender
PROFESSIONALISM
WITH PT
As I visit various fitness establishments, run training courses and interact with fitness professionals throughout the year, I find myself constantly looking at what we do and the differences between successful and unsuccessful trainers. One of the most obvious factors - also my biggest bug bear as anyone who has worked alongside me, or for me, will testify – is that looking, behaving and exuding professionalism is ultimately more important than how many followers you have on Twitter or what your new squat personal best is. It is not just about a first impression, it is about maintaining that impression every day of your working career and may be the difference between new clients approaching you or many clients (or new job roles) bypassing you. Professionalism in the gym environment is based on many factors, including how you dress, your attitude, how you carry yourself, how you interact with others and the quality of work you deliver. So much of what lets us down as an industry comes from the thousands of trainers who treat their role with a callous attitude and their workplace as an extension of their homes; making gym floors untidy, dressing unprofessionally (often intimidatingly –
thinking ripped sleeved tops or crop tops with muscles bulging to the new exerciser), using mobile phones during sessions, not treating everyone with the same respect, eating on the job and much more.
3. Gossip – a PT can quickly lose their aura of professionalism by indulging in gossiping with colleagues and clients. It undermines trust and eventually people worry what you may be saying about them.
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are treated with respect for so many reasons and we would not expect
4. Don’t ignore your body – always ensure you are clean, fresh, your nails are tidy/ professional and your breath does not smell as you are often in very close proximity to clients.
“DRESS TO IMPRESS, NOT FOR EGO” to be serviced by them wearing beanie hats, chowing down on chicken/rice or answering texts mid appointment would we? We are qualified professionals, therefore we have a duty of care to ensure that we increase and maintain our level of service delivery and improve our public perception and reputation. Here are some of the characteristics of unprofessional behaviour that will affect your personal training business and reputation. Don’t do them. 1. Negative attitude – which includes poor body language such as: yawning without covering your mouth, chewing gum during sessions, little eye contact and moaning about others in a session.
5. Dress to impress, not for ego – always remember that you are judged (whether politically correct or not) on how you look and so give people less ammo by presenting yourself in a neat, tidy manner. Resist the urge to showboat your wellearned physique, as it may give the impression that you are more interested in yourself than your client. 6. Chatting up clients – try not to be led by your sexual animal instinct when you are working. Learn to separate gym floor banter with flirtation and make sure you are seen talking to everyone equally because your every move is being watched by other members and colleagues. Good luck. www.armageddonfitness.com
2. Poor attendance and lateness – acknowledged as one of the most irritating characteristics in professionals.
@PTMAGAZINE
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