As trainers, we know how easy it is for our clients to fall into the magic pill trap, where all their weight loss dreams come true for $29.95. Of course, we know the truth about these products and the misinformation that is generated through the media. Our biggest challenge is actually convincing our clients that some of the myths purveyed by our own industry are not only untrue, but can be detrimental to their health.

Clients always come to us with a variety of preconceived notions about everything from how to lose weight to how they are supposed to feel about doing a particular exercise. Sometimes a client will simply feel unmotivated and have only hired us because their doctor or a loved one was concerned about their health. Whatever their hibitions may be towards diet and exercise, here are a few tips you can use to draw your clients into a fitness lifestyle free from fad diets and spot reduction.

1. Make a deal- Ask your clients to commit to your way of training for a short period of time. If they are very resistant to a total fitness lifestyle, take babysteps. For instance, there is a prevailing myth that the magic daily caloric intake for dieting is 1200. (This is actually the daily amount of calories a 100 pound woman would need to eat just to sustain life functions. It doesn't even take into account daily activity level.) Many of your clients will insist they shouldn't be eating more than this. Ask them to adhere to what their optimal caloric intake should be for one week. Tell them that they may gain a pound or two as their body adjusts. But let them know that after a few days, they will notice their energy levels are up, their attitude is more upbeat, and normally stressful daily activities will seem easier. Tell them that adhering to this increase in caloric intake for a longer period of time will increase their basal metabolic rate and allow them to gain lean muscle mass, which in turn will help them burn more body fat. If a client is still resistant then compromise and go with a lower caloric value for one week. Explain that their increased activity will require an increase in calories and slowly raise their intake over the next month or two. While it may take a while for them to operate at an optimal basal metabolic rate, you will have shown them that you have the ability to listen and respond to their beliefs while retaining a level of professional integrity concerning your knowledge.
   
   
2. Emphasize the positive- In the case of the above example, we know that our clients may experience a weight gain because their basil metabolic rate is often low from constant yo-yo dieting. Don't try to hide this fact, instead emphasize the benefits they will see and feel from a small increase in weight from gains in lean body mass.
   
   
3. Appeal to their values- If you have a client who is convinced that the only way to lose weight is to stay on a stairmaster for an hour, don't belittle that. Instead, find a basic value that they hold dear such as time. This same client may complain that they are always running late and they don't have time to strength train and do cardio. You might suggest that they do your 20-minute interval workout on the stairmaster and then a quick 20-minute circuit weight training program to save time. They will get a great high-intensity cardiovascular workout and you will still have time to get them into the weight room. Remember that only resistance training stimulates an increase in lean body mass, and thus an increase in metabolic rate. Most of all, because of the difference in a low intensity hour-long stairmaster marathon and interval training, they will feel it in the muscles they worked while resistance training. I know, it’s the "I feel it syndrome", but in this case it is used to your advantage.
   
   
4. Introduce them to realistic role models- If they are reluctant to follow your plan, or begin to get disheartened, introduce them to other people that you have helped in the past. For instance, if you have a client that wants to compete in a fitness competition, you may want to ask a current competitor whom you know to train and eat properly to talk to your client. Most people love to talk about themselves and what worked for them. I would not advise using magazine articles as a reference point for ideal body composition or weight. I recently saw a Ms. Fitness competitor in the gym weighing herself about 2 months before the competition and overheard what her weight was. It was 25 pounds above what a popular magazine claimed her weight was.
   
   
5. Educate them- Your job as a fitness professional is not to hoard the knowledge. It is to teach your clients how to live a healthier life. Share your research and studies with them.
   There are several motivating tactics you should shy away from. Never badmouth sources of information, even if the information is outlandish. Simply point out legitimate flaws in the information and back up your statements with real research. Furthermore, their information may be coming from a source that is normally considered reliable. I had gained some weight due to some health problems and was told by my doctor that I should drop my calories down to 1000 a day to lose the weight. Okay, this is coming from a person who was so helpful in diagnosing my health problem and helping me get through them, but obviously had no idea how a powerlifter should eat. The bottom line is you may lose credibility by disparaging their respected source, even if their source is wrong.
   

You should also never belittle or make fun of your client's beliefs. I mean, even I thought at one time doing 3,000 crunches after track practice was going to make my tummy rock-hard. If your client mentions something you know to be untrue, approach them with legitimate research sources proving the contrary.

Over time, you will develop your own tactics to motivating your clients. No matter what you do, maintaining respect for your client is critical. And you should never forget the golden rule of training: Your job is to lead your clients into a healthy, integrated approach to fitness.