Man vs. Dog: A Lesson for Your Personal Trainers

[The Cube]

A recent experience with a client’s dog has changed my perspective
about how our personal trainers should approach their clients. After
the 100th time that Bentley, my client’s bull terrier dog, tried to
attack me, my client decided to schedule a session with a dog trainer
to remedy the situation. I didn’t think it would do any good since
during the previous two years, I had barely escaped Bentley’s wrath
several times. One time in particular, only Bentley’s paws losing
traction on the marble floor allowed me to scurry to the safety of
another room as he ambushed me.

I tried to imagine how the dog trainer would convince Bentley not to
kill me. Would I have to learn a safe word, or would I always have to
carry a remote control for the shock collar? Pepper spray? A cattle
prod? I couldn’t imagine how a trainer could possibly help, given this
particular dog’s desire to taste my flesh.

Regardless, the day finally arrived, and Eddie the dog trainer
explained that Bentley was just a misunderstood, if over-protective,
dog. Our session began with Eddie and Bentley in one room and me in
another. Eddie told me to come into the same room as the dog. This was
crazy, I thought, but I did it.

Eddie explained that for our first session, I would just be in the
same room as the dog. So, there I was, face to snout with the beast.
Good boy. Nice dog. All that stuff. My heart was racing. I was scared.
But I learned to exist in the same room as Bentley. By the second
session, I threw Bentley a ball and petted him. We didn’t need a third
session. I carry a ball now. Problem solved.

The training began with the dog and me in the same room. That’s it. It
was ingenious, and it got me thinking about the training clients
receive in my club. How do they feel when they start their first
session? How much trepidation do they feel regarding training with our
personal trainers or just walking into the gym in general? I bet a
good portion of them are scared. I bet how our trainers interact with
them at first determines whether they succeed or fail. How many people
go to a fitness facility and, because of a poor experience, walk out,
not to return?

Are your trainers too aggressive with new clients because they want to
show their wares and impress the clients or distinguish themselves?
Perhaps they are trying too hard to sell a product. Are they
forgetting to properly acclimate people and get them accustomed to the
gym environment? Instead, they need to build trust first and ask the
right questions. Since my experience, I have re-evaluated how I
perform my initial consultations and how I suggest our trainers do the
same.

Instead, I now ask questions such as, “How do you feel about the club?
Are you excited or nervous about your assessment today?” I make
statements such as, “Today’s session is about establishing you into
your new lifestyle. Don’t worry. This is going to be a good experience
for you.”

Minimally, I believe the whole Bentley experience has made me slightly
less scared of the dog and possibly a slightly more conscientious
fitness professional. I hope it does the same for you and your
trainers.