“There is a big difference between showing interest and really taking an interest.”
– Michael Nichols, The Lost Art of Listening

In my last blog entry, “Present Moment Awareness,” I talked about how being in the present moment enhances not only your own training, but your clients’ training as well.

Let’s focus on client benefit only for this one - after all, they’re the people who give us the chance to do what we love for a living. 

As simple and obvious as it sounds, listening can also help your relationship with your clients, and the effectiveness of your training. It just so happens that present moment awareness enhances your listening skills.

I am in the process of learning how complex and valuable the concept of true listening is, and how many of us take it for granted, thinking we are great listeners when we could be honing our skill and reaping serious rewards.  

When I’m training a client in Kettlebells, power lifting, Indian Clubs, or even FMS, I expect my clients to give me their full attention. That responsibility rests on the shoulders of each trainer. That responsibility is ours, not once, but in each session or class. I get my clients’ attention first, and then command their attention for the entire session - each session. Do you feel confident in your ability to do the same?

If as trainers we cannot do that, then likely either we are not confident in our abilities, cannot effectively explain what we are teaching, and/or are not hearing what the client is saying. Maybe we’re just lousy at training and need to find another career. If you’re interested enough to still be reading this, don’t even stop to assume the last is true. You’re likely on the right path.

I will highlight a few of the sample issues you might be facing above in other blogs. Let’s focus now on the “not hearing what the client is saying.”

Excercise for you

Think about each client in your book for a moment and write down their names. If you have over ten, go ahead and just list the last ten you trained this week. Next to each name, put a number from 1 to 5:

1 - the client never listens to what you say
2
3
4
5 - the client do everything you tell them to

I bet you will find the clients that rate a 4 or 5 on your scale are probably the ones who see the most improvement in training results. There are some people who just will not listen, but let’s face it, they are likely not prime clients for you. Let’s leave those clients aside. Entertain the possibility that other lower score issues can be communication-based, and that you might play a role - which is great, because it means you can find ways to fix it.

When a client talks to you, are you giving their words your full attention?
Are you paying full attention to the movements and cues their bodies are telling you?
Is your emphasis on you and what you can offer, or what the client is looking to gain?

Honest answers to these questions might improve session effectiveness with your clients. Try for one week to really listen to your clients - both their words and their physical movements. Suspend all of your thoughts about yourself or others around you, and focus your attention on your clients messages to you - again, by word and what you see in their movements. You may be surprised by the results.  

Making it consistent

“There is a big difference between showing interest and really taking an interest.”
– Michael Nichols, The Lost Art of Listening

This quote speaks for itself, and I mention it twice in this article. Read it again once more and really think about it, then relate it to your relationship with clients. Practice its lesson consistently, the same you would your swings, get-ups, or snatches. Then, consider practicing it in other aspects of your business and life.

I have been using the above lessons in many aspects of my own life, and it has made a significant impact on my relationships with others as well as the success of my business. My hope is that it helps you as well.

Phil Scarito, RKC TL, CK-FMS, CICS  
FMS Expert and Certification Host, nationwide
www.DV8Fitness.com