Many people take up the career of personal training for reasons such as being able to work independently, set their own hours, and make more money than they could at a job. But, there are also many obstacles that you may face when starting your own fitness business. One of these obstacles that many life stylists run into is dealing with frustrating clients. If you’re wondering how to deal with a difficult client at your studio, we might be able to help
Take a clearly defined position.
In a busy fitness studio, people are going to make mistakes. It happens. But what you can do is prevent frustrations from building when they happen by taking a clearly defined position when dealing with frustrating clients
Don’t try to be the client’s therapist.
Being a fitness professional is not an easy job. You have to deal with a lot of frustrated users who are just looking for quick fixes to their body issues and life problems. While this is not actually your problem, it may still be required of you to help them get through these issues by giving them some pointers. But it ends there. Learn to draw your boundaries with clients.
Use humor and grace.
As annoying and stressed out as clients can get, they’re still paying your bills (for the most part). Clients are going to be upset sometimes. When they are, you need to be professional, empathetic, and swift. A frowning face and an attitude will never cure an unhappy client. Keep your cool, graciously accept if its your mistake and end the conversation on a lighter note so your client leaves with a good impression of your studio.
Remember that this is part of your career.
If you’re going to be in the fitness industry, it’s only a matter of time before you have to deal with difficult clients. It will happen. And it will probably happen more than once. You just have to keep calm, think rationally, and remember that these kinds of people are a necessary part of doing business. Your job goes beyond knowing how to manage client workout plans.
There are many reasons why clients become frustrating but you can’t take it as a personal attack on you as a trainer or gym owner. These strategies will help you learn how to build better relationships with your fitness clients at your studio.