Feedback is a simple concept to grasp but can sometimes be a difficult behavior to put into practice. However, open communication, including feedback, from client to trainer is imperative to a healthy training environment and relationship.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word as “The return of information about the result of a process or activity; an evaluative response.”
The purpose for giving feedback is to improve the situation and/or performance. That’s a good thing.
What you get out of your sessions depends largely on communication. I imagine the men reading this are already having a harder time breathing. We need your participation but you can relax. It is the job of your personal trainer to ask the right questions and encourage open conversation. It is also our responsibility to constantly monitor behavior during exercise and receive feedback in that way. Few clients have an amazing poker face and are hard to read. The other extreme case is the client who talks and whines so much it’s hard to decipher what’s real!
What it comes down to is this:
- We need to know how you are feeling during and after exercise.
- We need to know if you have questions or struggles or pains.
- We need to know if you are not sure of what you are doing or where you should ‘feel’ the work.
- We also need to know if what you are doing doesn’t feel challenging enough. (Men, sharing means caring so wipe the beads of sweat from your brow.)
We also want and need to know the positives:
- We need to know when walking up stairs feel easier.
- We want to know when picking up your child/grandchild is no longer a struggle.
- We love hearing when your mac-daddy workout gave you more energy throughout the day rather than zapped it all.
- We need to know when your nutrition is so spot-on that all you craved for dinner last night was brussel sprouts & tilapia.
- We want to know when you feel good! So on, and so forth.
We encourage this type of relationship and healthy rapport so we can personalize your workouts to best fit your needs. That’s why it’s called ‘personal’ training after all!
Feedback is the path to a positive training experience which leads to your goals being met. That is what both the trainer and client desire! We need to know you and what motivates you. Which means we need you to talk to us, communicate with us. Again guys, relax, it’s not that bad!
Laura Thompson
Fitness Coach
Raising The Barr Fitness
