5 Best Ways to Ruin Your Personal Training Career

Whether you've been a personal trainer for five minutes or five years you'll learn there are obvious rules of conduct that get neglected or pushed aside in the fitness industry. Although these rules ring true for any profession it happens quite often but is not always spoken of. No business wants to air its dirty laundry but when an issue affects a business negatively you can expect a loss of credibility and even termination to be in your near future.

Lying

Being honest with your client is of the utmost importance. Your client will look to you for your opinions, advice and knowledge and although the truth may hurt there's nothing worse than getting caught in a lie. A personal trainer may offer a "white lie" to spare a client's feelings but it isn't the best route.

For example; if you've been hired as a personal trainer for a facility but haven't earned your certification then you are not a Certified Personal Trainer so you shouldn't tell your clients that you are. Lying about your credentials is a quick way for your clients to underestimate your education and training methods.

Sexual Misconduct

It doesn't matter how many times it's written in the company hand book there is always a personal trainer that crosses the line and has a sexual relationship with a client. It's easy to become comfortable since you work in close proximity with your client and exchange personal conversation or feelings about more than training. Yet, a sexual relationship with your client should never, ever occur. You will instantly lose credibility and respect as a personal trainer. An engagement of this sort brings on extra stress to the facility and causes poor morale; especially when its known throughout the health club. There's nothing worse than having an angry spouse arrive at your place of employment because of an indiscretion that should have been avoided.

Too Much Information (TMI)

Your client may tell you everything from his shoe size to his bowel movements but that doesn't mean you should share every detail of your personal life with him. Sharing too much information can cause your client to see you in another light and it may not be one he likes or agrees with. Telling a client your entire personal life is not only unprofessional but will make him feel like your more concerned about your personal life during his paid session.

Attendance

Being on time and not canceling on your clients at the last minute seems like the obvious action not to do but it happens. Of course there are going to be emergencies or traffic jams but making a habit of missing sessions is a quick way to be released from your client. No one enjoys being at the gym at 5:00am only to learn their personal trainer isn't going to be there.

Gossiping

No matter what you're client says about a fellow trainer, gym member or his personal life; you should never repeat what's said to you. Repeating something that was said in confidence to others at the health club facility will break your client's trust. You should never speak badly of another client to your client, as well. Unless you are using another client as a positive example there should be no reason for you to speak of your other clients to the client you are working with. Speaking poorly of another client will plant the seed that you speak poorly of him when you're training someone else and you'll earn the reputation of being a gossip.

Source: Experience
Photo: www.localfitness.com.au