Developing a philosophy and training style should be a conscious, mindful process. It is important to know what you believe in and base your methods on, so you can confidently convey this to both current and potential clients. Your approach to training is uniquely yours and will set you apart from other professionals. It will have a major impact on the clientele you attract. As you gain experience, your approach will change and grow over time.

Creating Your Philosophy

Many factors will influence your philosophy and the way you work with your clients. Your own exercise history will play a large role, as will your personality, nutritional habits, educational background, and more. If you are unsure of how to verbalize what you believe, answering the following questions will get you started in the right direction:

• How hard and how often do you feel your clients should exercise?

• What types of exercise do you recommend?

• Do you enjoy nurturing or do you prefer to push clients to the limit?

• In a weight loss program, do you emphasize cardiovascular exercise, nutrition, or both?

While it is important to have a strong sense of who you are and what you believe, it is also important to be flexible. To a certain extent, you will need to adapt your style to what your clients want and need or you will lose people.

Incorporate your philosophy into your sales presentations. Be up front with people about how you work with your clients to meet their needs. Give specific examples to demonstrate how your particular style has been effective.