How do you motivate the demotivated?

To add to the question rather than the answer (sorry) what about all the mental/ emotional blocks people have about exercise as well? Sport, looks and physical activity can all be such emotional areas, and when those associations are bad, that can make it tougher for a trainer to motivate. So how do you get past those?

listening to the client. And then tailoring exercise that the client would find enjoyable initially. Then progress hopefully would be it's own motivator.

coachdave
Starting with small, achievable goals before creating the next challenge can help motivate and encourage reluctant exercisers. It's alienating trying to do something that makes you feel inadequate and hopeless at the outset.
Positive language and lots of encouragement are crucial. And emphasise that fitness targets are easier to achieve if they can be fitted into an everyday routine. It's the small steps, softly, softly approach (not a quick fix, though!).

Surely he or she can't be entirely unmotivated, or this client wouldn't have sought you out. Tell us what kind of training the client is doing, what kind of self-talk they report, and so on. Also, is the client simply more or less apathetic, or actively resistant to your ideas?

Steve

Thanks guys a couple of really good pointers both here and particularly on the Facebook page. I think I nearly know what I'm doing I've been a trainer for some 17 years every now and then an anomaly raises it's head like this particular client.

As a profile she's a busy, working, middle aged (42) professional and a Mum of two children in school. So like most time poor people expecting great results with only a little available. I talk to her about effort to expectation and have listened hard to her likes/dislikes. I prefer to get her outdoors as it makes a break for her and I get her undivided attention. I remind her often about the physiological and psychological benefits trying hard to focus on setting small goals like trying to find time to do a short twenty mins session of some basic drills using a swiss ball. She has a shoulder rotator cuff issue that has had a cortisone injection and with getting her to do some gentle band drills is showing signs of improvement.

I encouraged her to get a water rower so she had immediate access to a piece of CV equipment. I've been getting her to ride a MTB to encourage her to be able join in with family outings and there are some signs she is enjoying those rides. She does listen but rarely implements all the ideas I have for her.

I like the idea of training being Safe, Effective, Necessary and FUN! I suppose because some of the time she has spare to train she has to spend doing rehab she feels like making progress is tough. She plays tennis once a week and I've mentioned about training to be able to play, rather than the issue of relying only on playing to stay healthy. (Possibly rotator cuff issue stems from this.)

I asked the question about motivation as she said she was just not motivated to do the training. We have an open good working report and I welcomed her being honest. I was wanting some reminders that I am doing the right thing and I felt I should question myself, techniques, methods and ideas. I have had some thought about helping her aim at slightly different goals being more skill based rather than measured in times, sets and reps.

Skhinoy2 you're right there must be something there, it's trying to tap into that to persuade her more using good positive encouragement.

Anything 'Family' for someone in that situation is 'guilt free'.

So if you can find local 'fitness' training that benefits the children whilst upping her fitness levels would work - from a bike twoing a trailer if they are littlies to a day's canoe hire if they are bigger.

The second thing would be a goal - has she a function or event or competition she can aim at? either a fitness event, a half marathon or the great north run or something maybe for a charity close to her heart? Or a competitive event? a distance swim or a distance walk? Or maybe a friends wedding a new outfit in a size too small hanging on the wardrobe?

1.-I have athletic body. No fat, and strong
2.-I have several international medals in my category
3.-I have knowledge of sports science study
4.-And I give the example. If I ask 8 reps of 200 mt in 32 seconds is because I do in 25 seconds or less.

If you have all the above. Guests will follow you and will make your training. Because you are a living example. A good athlete.

For all these reasons I have much work. Everyone wants a winner and knowledgeable coach. [edited by moderator]

Congratulations on your desire of wanting the best for your customers