The gym is a great place to improve your mental health. Many people go to the gym and workout with that in mind. However, trainers and gyms are not rehabilitation centers or the solution for all mental health problems. There are issues that no number of squats and deadlifts can resolve. Often, trainers find themselves forced to respond like therapists for their clients. Operating as a therapist, is outside of a personal trainers scope of practice. Since personal trainers do not receive formal training on mental health, it can be easy to mis-handle tough conversations. Additionally, it’s more difficult to protect themselves from the trauma of others.
Tough conversations will inevitably come up, and even in the mental health field we agree when we don’t have the answers. How do we best deal with these conversations while still getting your client to be motivated in a session?
First, try active listening. A majority of the time, your client just needs someone to hear them out. You are not obligated to provide answers or advice. It’s also ok if the topic seems beyond your understanding, simply saying you don’t know enough about this topic and direct them to other services. There are ways to do this without ruining your relationship with the client.
Another strategy is “reframing”. Contextualize the situation to what is in front of them. If something is beyond your understanding, you can simply state that “I hear you, but this is what I can do for you now” and reframe the workout at hand. Not only does it respect your time as the coach but it re orients them to their goals for the session.
Establishing boundaries is another important skill to learn. This is not easy. It’s important to establish early on what your job is and what they are at the gym for. Be upfront about expectations and appropriate ways/times they can contact you. Though it seems simple, many people need to be reminded and will respect this. These types of boundaries will improve your relationship over time as you are not carrying more than you can handle.
Lastly, remember everyone makes their own choices and their problems are not yours to carry. Though you support their physical health, it is not your responsibility to take on their emotional health. Your client’s life is still theirs the 23 hours outside of your session together. As a personal trainer, you are exposed to every type of person, with all levels of trauma/pasts. Mental and emotional health requires more than the gym. Don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself and refer them along to a higher level of care if they need it. Deep friendships and successes can still happen in the gym setting, and they are often stronger when boundaries and a support system are in place.
Andy Benckart has been an athlete his entire life. He started out as a distance swimmer and entered the classic brick and mortar gym culture junior year of high school due to a swimming injury. He writes, “I have done everything from distance events to powerlifting to Olympic lifting. In my free time beyond lifting, I am a surfer.” For years, he’s worked in and been a part of the therapeutic and social work system. “As an outsider looking in at the current culture around the gym and with trainers, I wanted to share my perspective as a professional in the mental health field from what I see. From gyms, to the trainer and client relationship, and tips I have from many years of my own experience and practice in the field of mental health.”
The Break Room 