10.4 End of the Session and Feedback

Every training session culminates in an opportunity for both reflection and feedback. This is your chance to highlight your client’s progress and encourage their continued effort. Remember, feedback should primarily be positive and constructive, building on what’s going well while addressing areas for improvement in a supportive manner.

One effective technique is the Sandwich or ‘Burger’ Feedback method. This approach involves starting and ending with positive comments (the ‘bread’ or ‘buns’) and placing any constructive criticism (the ‘meat’) in the middle. This ensures that your client feels valued and understood, even as they learn about areas where they could improve.

Your feedback might highlight progress from various perspectives – increased workload, improved technique, better consistency, or even a more positive attitude. Acknowledging these achievements is important, as they contribute significantly to creating a motivating and positive training environment.

However, feedback isn’t a one-way street. While providing your own observations and praise is crucial, it’s equally important to ask for your client’s feedback. Their perspective on the workout, progress, and other factors affecting their experience is crucial. Encourage them to share how they found the session, whether they’re pleased with their progress, and if there’s anything specific they’d like to discuss or address.

Asking these questions shows your clients that their opinion matters and that their input is critical to the training process. It can also reveal potential issues or concerns early on, allowing you to address them proactively and collaboratively. Remember, creating a dialogue rather than a monologue fosters a stronger trainer-client relationship and contributes to a more positive and productive training environment.

Every feedback, whether yours or your client’s, is invaluable and should be recorded for future reference. Recalling and addressing specific feedback from past sessions, particularly when improvements have been made, can significantly boost client motivation. In addition, it serves as a powerful reminder of their progress and your shared commitment to their fitness journey.

Moreover, take note of any personal information your clients share during your sessions. Things like important dates, family events, or hobbies can provide valuable opportunities for connection and show your client that you genuinely care about their lives beyond the gym. Likewise, remembering a child’s birthday and giving a small gift, or acknowledging a wedding anniversary with a thoughtful card, can create a lasting positive impression.

Such gestures might seem small, but they can make a substantial difference. These ‘extras’ set you apart from other trainers and convey a high level of personal commitment to your clients. We’re not saying this just because it sounds good but because we’ve seen it work in our own experience as personal trainers.

By raising the bar in the personal training industry and focusing on these details, you can create a unique and memorable service that clients will value and appreciate. And this isn’t just about exceeding client expectations but also about sharing our collective experiences and knowledge to uplift the standards of the personal training profession.