As the days and months progress, further and further away from January, we all experience high and low levels of motivation and engagement with our fitness goals. Once the summer vacation has come and gone, how do you stay motivated to continue to train to be your best? We asked our Master Coaches what they do to re-engage both clients and staff when motivational drive is low.
“How do you get your clients re-engaged with their fitness goals?”
PJ Stahl: Sometimes the end of the summer can be a tough time to boost engagement of your members. At Lock Box we do an end of Summer Transformation Challenge. This challenge is 6 weeks long and we focus on Nutrition and Fitness goals to help transform our clients. Whenever we host a challenge it increases overall client engagement and it increases class attendance numbers because of the weekly fitness requirements. I recommend creating an engaging challenge with your members to keep them motivated to finish the summer strong.
Julie Johnston: In an effort to learn more about how I can help motivate my Rhinos (members), I surveyed them and asked, “what keeps you going to Camp Rhino in August and through the Holidays?” The overwhelming answer was the community and atmosphere at the gym. They don’t want to go without seeing their friends and coaches. Working out with friends leaves you feeling content and happy. Knowing this, I realize how important it is to continue hiring coaches who are friendly and caring so we can keep that positive atmosphere.
The next most common response was, “I don’t want to lose (the progress) I’ve gained. It’s so much harder to start over than it is to keep going.” This is why we need to keep measuring our members progress! We have a PR bell at Camp Rhino that members ring every time they do something for the first time. Whether it’s a Personal Record of doing their first push-up or maxing out their deadlift, all personal records are celebrated!
Finally, we encourage our members to make goals for themselves. Whether it’s running their first obstacle course race or entering a weightlifting competition, signing up for these events keep them motivated to train.
Even the best trainers and coaches are human and run low on drive and motivation at times. As a business owner or personal training manager, it is so important to help your training staff stay motivated because THEY are the motivators.
“How do your trainers stay motivated throughout the year?”
PJ Stahl: Our team meets once a month to participate in education meetings. In these meetings, we review new exercises and the science behind them to create stronger training strategies. I also introduce new pieces of equipment. With new exercises in their toolbox and a new piece of equipment to introduce into our methodology systems, they consistently feel that they are learning and applying new techniques to be the best coach they can be.
Julie Johnston: Nothing motivates a trainer like seeing a client get results. That being said, our coaches stay motivated by learning more about how to help clients achieve their goals. I also believe that it is important to create, maintain, and protect a happy community and positive work and play environment at Camp Rhino. This is what keeps my clients coming back and my coaches motivated to stay on their A game.
For your trainers, motivation through education is the way to go. New exercises, programs, and equipment are all great ways to energize your coaches. When your trainers are re-engaged, you will see a motivational trickledown effect to your clients as well. When you check the pulse of your facility and sense that energy and motivation levels are low, consider some of these tools and tactics to inspire your team and to get your members re-engaged with their goals.
