What are the most common reasons clients leave functional training programs?

People don't lack motivation, they lack clarity on their 'Why'. Establishing this North Star is crucial for sustained commitment to fitness goals. It serves as a foundation for setting meaningful objectives, enhancing resilience against setbacks, and increasing engagement in training. Fitness professionals should guide clients in identifying their personal motivations, aligning programs with these deeper reasons, and regularly revisiting goals to keep the 'Why' in focus. This approach not only boosts motivation but ensures a more personalized and fulfilling fitness journey.

Sometimes a lack of motivation can cause clients to stop going to the gym. However, there are many factors involved that cannot be reduced to simply having a better developed "why." An effective way to bring focus to the "why" is to establish a lifelong goal of fitness and encourage clients to think of fitness as a long-term commitment of 15-25 years instead of just a few months or a year. Short-term goals can then be used as motivators for progress, which can be fun and engaging activities like 5Ks or recreational sports, incorporated into a routine.

Injury occurs in the "gap" between pre-routine general fitness and the volume of exercise prescribed through programming. 90% of New Year's resolutioners quit within the first 1-3 months. Those continuing are at 50% risk of getting injured, and 90% of these injuries can be prevented with proper warm-up exercises. It is essential to establish routines that not only improve your fitness but also reduce the risk of injury. This involves designing a workout program that progresses gradually and takes into account joint ROM, planes of motion, movement patterns, etc. In the event of an injury, it is important to have a network of professionals that you can rely on for rehabilitation if you are not qualified to provide it yourself.

The recommended amount of weekly exercise is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and at least 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity. To save time, sure, we can reduce the total time of exercise in the gym by reducing the equipment used or utilizing tech. But to get the minimum recommendations you have two choices. You will need to spend at least a minimum of: 1) 60Min in the gym on (2) days AND 30Min (3) additional days (if TIME is your issue) OR 2) 1.5Hr on (2) days AND 50Min (1) additional day. (If DAYS are your issue) Note: We all have 24 hours. Prioritize what's important to you. If you can't find the time, your health isn't a priority; that's okay, but work towards making it one.

In functional training, keeping clients motivated is key for effective communication. One reason they might leave programs is feeling lost without proper guidance. Functional exercises can be confusing, especially for beginners or those used to traditional workouts. Clients may struggle with correct form, progression, or measuring results, needing professional advice. To guide them, you must be accessible via various channels like phone, email, or social media. You can also use tools such as trackers or charts to help them track progress.

Your client's training program should address lots of things, the most important are you're clients NEEDS. A client may not always like a program, and that's okay, but they are getting what they NEED. Some things your programs should address FIRST are the minimum amounts of exercise recommended, the movement patterns needed to make it functional, the client's needs and preferences, and assessments and progress tracking. The secondary considerations are trainer preference, environment, format, boredom, fun, engagement, gamification, music, etc. These definitely SHOULD be implemented into a training program if you want it to be the best. But the clients needs are the most important.

To make sure your clients have a good time, it's important to make your functional training sessions fun, interesting, and supportive. You can incorporate games, music, jokes, or even rewards to add excitement to the workouts. Creating a positive and welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable and connected can also make a big difference. This way, your clients will be more likely to stick with the program and enjoy the benefits of functional training.

1. Lack of results - After the hard work, they still have nothing new to see nor feel 2. Lack of coherence - The journey doesn't sufficiently illustrate the destination 3. Lack of enjoyment - At the end of the day, compliance is medicated and predicated by fulfillment; if there is no sense of fulfillment, there will be no continuation.

Utilizing the WOOP model (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) in fitness helps clients establish lasting habits by clearly defining goals, visualizing benefits, identifying challenges, and creating actionable strategies. Starting with small, manageable habits and utilizing cues and rewards turns exercise into a consistent routine. Fitness professionals play a crucial role in guiding this process, offering support and accountability to ensure clients overcome obstacles and achieve their fitness aspirations. This structured approach promotes sustainable behavior change and a healthier lifestyle.