{"id":25306,"date":"2021-07-27T16:52:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T14:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/?p=25306"},"modified":"2022-10-19T16:09:53","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T14:09:53","slug":"how-to-set-and-keep-boundaries-as-a-personal-trainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/personal-fitness-training-blog\/how-to-set-and-keep-boundaries-as-a-personal-trainer\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Set And Keep Boundaries As A Personal Trainer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Setting professional boundaries is a major key to managing a successful professional personal training business. Being a professional fitness coach is a challenging job. It\u2019s not straightforward nor is there much \u201cdowntime\u201d on any given day.<\/p>\n

It takes a great amount of energy, time, and effort to thoughtfully engage with different personalities every day, as well as manage a professional fitness coach business and your clients\u2019 expectations and progress. In short, it\u2019s a lot.<\/p>\n

As a result, personal trainers can find themselves overwhelmed and burnt out early on in their careers. The good news: there\u2019s a reasonable solution to help all fitness professionals \u2014 new and seasoned \u2014 avoid early career burnout and fatigue. The key is setting clear and specific boundaries for your clients and yourself.<\/p>\n

Should A Personal Trainer Touch Clients?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A personal trainer should ask before touching a client. They should explain what part of the client\u2019s body they\u2019re going to touch and what it is that they are demonstrating. It\u2019s very important that boundaries with personal trainers are drawn.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how a professional fitness coach should set boundaries with their clients.<\/p>\n

Consent<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Consent (which is also referred to as permission) is essential before touching a client. Perceived inappropriate or unwelcome touching of clients is particularly worrying in legal terms. Remember that this isn\u2019t how you judge the situation, but rather how your client does.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Assume<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ask your clients questions both during your informational and screening interviews, in addition to during your training sessions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \u201cWould you like me to spot you by touching or pulling the bar\u201d?<\/li>\n
  • \u201cIs it OK if I show you on your calf where you need to be feeling the stretch?\u201d<\/li>\n
  • \u201cWould you object if I put your shoulders in the right position for this exercise?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Don\u2019t assume that consent which is given once is for always. Ask your clients every time that you think it is needed to touch them during your training sessions. Some personal training clients will agree to allowing you to touch them, while others could ask you not to. Respect your client\u2019s wishes and know that they do not have to agree to you touching them. It is your job as a professional personal trainer to find an alternative if they don\u2019t agree.<\/p>\n