Why Should You Do Mobility Training with Your Clients?
What your client wants and what they really need are often two different things. Most clients come to a personal trainer wanting to improve their performance or achieve aesthetic goals, and they’re highly motivated to reach these goals as quickly as possible through intense training. Very few of them realize that, to do so, they first need to reset their movement patterns and work on their flexibility. In this article, you’ll learn why you should still do mobility training with your clients.
What Is Mobility Training?
Mobility training is training that focuses on flexibility. However, the term “mobility” should not be used interchangeably with “stretching.” Stretching affects only the myofascial tissue, whereas mobility training activates the muscles through targeted movements, utilizes joints across their full range of motion, and corrects restrictions in the joint capsules and ligaments. It also improves neuromuscular coordination and promotes optimal posture.
Why Mobility Training Instead of Just Stretching?
Mobility training helps prevent joint pain and injuries while also relieving tight and shortened muscles. This allows you to increase your range of motion and make full use of your mobility. It is beneficial not only for anyone looking to maintain or improve flexibility, but especially for strength and performance athletes. An athlete can only perform at their best if they are able to generate force throughout their full range of motion (mobility) and transfer that force efficiently (stability). When the balance between mobility and stability is disrupted, movements become less efficient, performance declines, and the risk of injury increases. As you can see, mobility training is essential if you want to improve your clients' performance.
How Can You Improve Your Clients' Mobility?
Mobility training should always be goal-oriented. This means it should be tailored to both the focus of the training programme and your clients' individual physical needs. Ideally, clients should perform their personalised mobility exercises every day. If that's not possible due to time constraints, you should at least focus on mobilising the areas of the body that will be trained during the workout. For example, it makes sense to mobilise the ankles before performing squats, as they are often restricted after long periods of sitting. Before bench presses, mobilising the shoulder joints is beneficial, while deadlifts are best prepared with mobility exercises for the back. Since the hips are involved in almost every exercise, they should always be included in your mobility routine.
The timing of mobility training is equally important. Before a workout, it increases blood flow to the muscles and temporarily improves mobility. After training, it supports faster recovery.
There are also several tools that can enhance mobility training with your clients, including resistance bands and various myofascial release tools such as foam rollers and massage balls.
The Personal Trainer at the Gym
The personal trainer at the gym has two options. In both cases, the trainer is a member of the gym. However, it depends on whether the clients are also members. If they are not, the trainer would have to pay for their visits. Depending on the location and type of gym, these costs amount to approximately €5 to €20 per training session per client.
These costs should be factored into your pricing for training sessions. If you plan to partner with a gym on a long-term basis, it makes sense to negotiate the terms with the gym. The advantages of training at a gym include, for example, low travel costs, since you only have to drive to and from the gym—not from client to client. This also means you don’t waste any time and can fit in more appointments in a single day.
Plus, you don’t have to bring your own equipment—there’s more than enough of it at the gym. However, it’s possible that the machines your client is supposed to use might be occupied. Therefore, you’ll need to be somewhat flexible with your training plan and be able to fill the time in such cases
The Personal Trainer with Their Own Space
Once you’ve built up a small but loyal client base and can charge a certain rate, it would make sense to open your own space for personal training. After all, what could be better than having your own little studio, designed exactly the way you want it? However, there are a few things you should consider beforehand. First of all, you’ll naturally have higher fixed costs due to the rent for the space.
The upfront costs for your own equipment shouldn’t be underestimated either. With your own location, it might also be more difficult to continue expanding your client base. While everyone at a gym can see you training with your clients—which might spark their interest in personal training with you—that exposure is completely lost in a private space.
You’ll then have to rely on walk-in clients or ask your existing clients to recommend you to others. However, there are still some tips and tricks you can use to raise your profile and attract more clients.
Tips for Marketing Yourself
As a personal trainer, you’re offering a service. So you need to market yourself! The simplest trick here is to wear workout clothes featuring your logo, name, or other elements that highlight your profession. That way, when others see you training with your clients, they’ll immediately know you’re a personal trainer and that they can book you too.
Display stands or banners that you set up during training sessions or place in gyms are also helpful. Take advantage of your clients, too: outfit them with branded workout gear as well. Your clients will be happy about the free outfit, and you’ll be happy about the free advertising.
Not a personal trainer yet, or looking to further your education? Then sign up for a training program or seminar with us! You can find more information at https://pb-institute.de/