{"id":11238,"date":"2023-01-10T17:03:43","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T17:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/4-powerful-communication-techniques-fitness-professionals-need-to-master\/"},"modified":"2023-01-10T17:03:43","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T17:03:43","slug":"4-powerful-communication-techniques-fitness-professionals-need-to-master","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/4-powerful-communication-techniques-fitness-professionals-need-to-master\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Powerful Communication Techniques Fitness Professionals Need to Master"},"content":{"rendered":"
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“You didn’t follow the exercise plan\u2014why?” vs. “How have you been adjusting to the new workout program?”<\/p>\n
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Both questions may ultimately reveal the barriers and challenges your client faces in sticking to a workout routine. But how they end up feeling could vastly differ:<\/p>\n
Your communication skills as a fitness professional (e.g., personal trainer, Pilates instructor, or yoga instructor) could impact your client’s motivation to meet their physical and mental fitness goals. So, how can you communicate in a manner that best empowers, motivates, and supports your client? Find out in this article.<\/p>\n
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<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Communication is the act of expressing ideas, information, knowledge, thoughts, and feelings, coupled with understanding what is expressed by others.<\/p>\n It can take four forms:<\/p>\n Note:<\/span> Of these four communication forms, the first three are the most immediately relevant to a coach-client relationship. This article thus primarily focuses on verbal, nonverbal, and written communication techniques.<\/p>\n Your client can infer a lot from your nonverbal communication cues (e.g., whether you genuinely care, if you\u2019re being truthful, and how well you\u2019re listening). Research suggests that between 60% to 90% of communication is nonverbal.<\/p>\n Nonverbal communication could play multiple roles, including:<\/p>\n \u00a0This, in turn, highlights why it’s crucial for you to develop an awareness of your nonverbal communication. It prevents you from undermining your verbal communication when interacting with your client.<\/p>\n Here are a few specific things to be mindful of:<\/p>\n \u00a0It\u2019s also worth remembering that there may be cultural differences in nonverbal communication.<\/p>\n For instance, the total amount of eye contact and the length that an individual maintains eye contact tends to vary across cultures. According to this study, individuals from an East Asian culture perceive another’s face as angrier and more unapproachable when making eye contact than individuals from Western European cultures.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Thus, developing cultural compatibility as a fitness professional could help create an inclusive and supportive environment for all clients.<\/p>\n How can you help your client feel heard and understood? A useful communication technique to use is active listening; here\u2019s how you could implement it:<\/p>\n o \u00a0 Client: <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve been feeling really stressed about work, and then when I get home, I\u2019m in such a bad mood I don\u2019t feel like working out.\u201d<\/p>\n o \u00a0 You:<\/span> \u201cWork has been so stressful that it causes you to feel frustrated all the time. And when you\u2019re in that state of mind, exercising isn\u2019t something you want to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Inclusive language refers to the words and phrases you use that avoid biases, slang, and expressions that discriminate against groups of individuals based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, and ability.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the key communication techniques you could use to create a safe, empowering, and supportive environment for all clients in their pursuit of a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n Here are a few tips that may help you adjust your language to be more inclusive of all people:<\/p>\n \u00a0Of course, the above is by no means an exhaustive list of inclusive language. If you’re interested in learning more, refer to A Progressive\u2019s Style Guide, a resource created by SumOfUs, a 501(c)4 social welfare nonprofit organization.<\/p>\n According to the American Psychological Association, \u201ctrauma\u201d is an emotional response to a terrible event, like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Going beyond these \u201cbig-T trauma\u201d events (as defined by psychologists), the Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center also lists other experiences that may be traumatic, like:<\/p>\n Broadly speaking, though, trauma is anything that overwhelms an individual\u2019s existing resources and ability to cope.<\/p>\n Trauma could have adverse and long-lasting effects on a client’s physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. This may affect their nutrition and exercise behaviors, self-care choices, and ability to regulate their emotions, making it difficult for them to experience meaningful progress in their health and fitness.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you politely and respectfully suggest your client try adding cardio to their workout routines. They, in turn, get super angry.<\/p>\n While you may see it as an overreaction, this could be a perfectly normal response for an individual who\u2019s been fat-shamed all their lives and told to do cardio because \u201cit\u2019ll help.\u201d Yet, they haven\u2019t found any success with it.<\/p>\n This highlights the importance of adopting a trauma-informed approach as a fitness professional. More specifically, being a trauma-aware coach could help you:<\/p>\n The six key principles of a trauma-informed approach are:<\/p>\n Click here to check out tips on implementing trauma-informed motivational interviewing with your clients.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to improve your communication techniques, start by understanding what communication entails. It\u2019s so much more than careful word selection\u2014it\u2019s also about how you deliver your message, how you listen to your client, etc.<\/p>\n Ultimately, always try to create a safe space for your clients to share openly and comfortably. That\u2019s where appropriate nonverbal cues, inclusive language, active listening, and a trauma-informed approach come into play.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Is Communication?<\/h2>\n
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Nonverbal Communication<\/h2>\n
The Roles of Nonverbal Communication<\/h3>\n
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Pay Attention to Your Nonverbal Communication<\/h3>\n
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A Note on Cultural Differences<\/h3>\n
Practice Active Listening<\/h2>\n
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Use Inclusive Language<\/h2>\n
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Adopt a Trauma-Informed Approach<\/h2>\n
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Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach<\/h3>\n
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Takeaway<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n