What are the best ways to provide effective feedback to clients?

1 What is feedback?

Feedback is any information that you give to your clients about their performance or progress in functional training. Feedback can be verbal, visual, or tactile, and it can come from different sources, such as yourself, the client, a peer, a device, or the environment. Feedback can also vary in frequency, timing, specificity, and direction. For example, you can give feedback before, during, or after a session, focus on the outcome or the process, and praise or correct the client.

2 Why is feedback important?

Feedback is important because it helps clients learn, improve, and achieve their functional training goals. Feedback can also enhance clients' motivation, satisfaction, and self-efficacy, which are key factors for adherence and retention. Feedback can also help you build rapport and trust with your clients, as well as identify and address any issues or concerns that may arise during functional training.

3 How to choose the right type of feedback?

There is no one-size-fits-all type of feedback that works for every client and every situation. The right type of feedback depends on several factors, such as the client's skill level, learning style, personality, goal, and feedback preference. For example, beginners may benefit more from frequent, immediate, and specific feedback that guides them through the correct movements and techniques, while advanced clients may prefer less frequent, delayed, and general feedback that allows them to self-evaluate and self-correct. Similarly, some clients may respond better to positive feedback that reinforces their strengths and achievements, while others may appreciate constructive feedback that highlights their areas for improvement and provides suggestions for action.

4 How to deliver feedback effectively?

Delivering feedback in an effective manner can significantly impact how your clients use and perceive it. To do so, ensure your language is simple and direct, avoid jargon, and focus on relevant aspects of performance that the client can control and improve. Additionally, emphasize their strengths and achievements, provide encouragement and praise, and be interactive and collaborative by involving them in the process. Ask questions, listen to their opinions, and acknowledge their feedback. Finally, adjust your feedback according to their needs and preferences.

5 How to measure the impact of feedback?

To ensure that your feedback is effective, you need to measure its impact on your clients' performance, motivation, and satisfaction. You can observe and record their performance and behavior during and after functional training sessions to look for signs of improvement, learning, engagement, and enjoyment. Additionally, you can ask them to complete questionnaires that measure their feedback satisfaction, motivation, self-efficacy, and goal attainment. You can also conduct interviews with your clients to elicit their feedback perceptions, preferences, and experiences. Lastly, you can administer tests that assess their functional fitness, skills, and knowledge before and after functional training sessions. All of these methods will help you gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of your feedback.

6 How to improve your feedback skills?

Feedback is a skill that can be improved with practice and reflection. To do this, you should seek feedback from your clients, peers, mentors, or supervisors on your feedback delivery and impact. Review the feedback that you give to your clients and compare it with the feedback criteria and best practices. Experiment with different types of feedback to observe the results. Additionally, learn from the feedback that you receive and give to your clients and use it to enhance your functional training expertise. Incorporate the feedback into your practice and evaluate its effectiveness. Keep track of your progress and achievements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?