Top 3 Habits of Highly Successful Clients

Hey guys, this is Duane coming to you once again. I've been in this officially two years freelance and with my own business and thus far I have learned so much and grown in every aspect. 

One area of growth for me is changing my view of things and seeing life from different perspectives. I have worked with so many different clients who have had such unique circumstances and situations but have persevered to reach goals and conquer!!! With that being said, I figured I would give you 3 vital habits that successful clients display to carry them to success. 

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life" - Muhammad Ali

1. Willingness for Change 

With clients, you never know what you are going to get. Some clients come with tons of past experiences in fitness and dieting culture etc. while others have little to none. In MOST cases, clients who are going to have success are the most willing and practical concerning change. For example; the Gordon family worked with me online while we were on quarantine during Covid-19 crisis. EVERYTHING was changing and so were my programs and how I helped them see results as well. Here are three things they did very well:

1. Adhere to consistency with workouts and nutrition (with two young children might I add!!!)

2. Check-In consistently especially when problems arose

3. Model healthy living for their family

Overall, these two were very flexible in there willingness to change and be the guinea pigs for check-ins, assessments, workouts and nutrition. Tarvis Gordon, former football captain, manager at his job, leader in his church was used to this grind. His wife, Liza Gordon, was new to fitness but so eager and willing to do the work. Initially, it started with the workouts, then eventually the nutrition had to change. Long story short and 63 lbs. between the both of them down, they were not only open to change but embraced it!!! Somewhere between changing their habits to align with their goals and doing the work they dialed it in and decided it was time!!!

"Train even when you don't feel like it because the reward (what you get from it) is always worth it!!!" 

- Tarvis Gordon

"...view this as a lifestyle change and not a quick fix!!!" - Liza Gordon

2. Focus (Short and Long game)

"You have to really want it bad...I didn't gain all the weight overnight, therefore it won't be gone overnight!!!" - Cora Long

Cora came to me as a nurse deep into her career, also a mother and recent newly gifted grandmother, ready for change. Her goal was to lose weight and become much healthier, focusing on the things that had alluded her while pursuing her career and providing for her family. After arriving in front of me Day 1 at 315 lbs, she worked her way down to 240 and is continuing to workout and live a healthier lifestyle to this day!!! There were days she hated training with me (obviously), days we did not agree to be polite, and plenty of days with me challenging her current knowledge and beliefs. However; there were also days of great focus and synergy, and also a person who never lost sight of the end goal. Through so much change and movement, Cora stayed and stays steadfast on her goals and is determined to get there no matter what. A few Short and Long term focus points that Cora utilized:

1. 10k steps/day

2. Don't worry so much about daily weight, focus on change over time (she weighed herself daily, but averaged the weight at the end of the week then check-ins for BF% every month for two years straight)

3. Build health eating habits

On a daily basis, it was tough to get her not to focus on the scale, but instead keep her mind stayed on her strength, energy and nourishing her body. On a monthly basis, the assessments we used kept her mind focused on progress above what she felt she couldn't do. After years of reflection, I believe she clearly sees the bigger picture. Now, although I've changed locations multiple times and she has trained and stopped training a few times, the goal still remains the same and the steps to get there are also pretty clear. Now, instead of getting healthy, the goal is staying healthy!!!

3. A Deep "Why?!"

"When you focus on you, everyone else gets the benefit too!!!" - Brianne Tucker

This particular client was new to the health & fitness world and was 6 months postpartum from delivering her baby girl, the second of two children in 3 years. The one trait I would say was apparent in her struggle was her ability to focus on the now, and open her perspective to the big picture. For example; one of her staple lifts in her programs was the Dead-lift. The Dead-lift happens to be a full body exercise and a foundational lift for olympic/powerlifters alike. Now, we had no plans of making her an olympic/powerlifter but in the short term we were focusing on maximizing the amount of muscles we could work, while also prioritizing form and technique. She was able to add muscle mass to her frame while losing body fat to attain the shape she wanted. 

There were many days that she questioned "Why are we doing this again?" so I would tap in to her Why which was her children. I believe helping her visualize why being strong is so important and beneficial not just to help her reach the goal but giving her confidence to be able to protect her children. In the long run, not only did she achieve her goals, the goal shifted, her mindset and focus went to what we were trying to build for her, which was a body she could be proud of!!!

Her "Why?!" for all of this change and a new start, those two little babies and a loving husband who she not only would die for, but chooses to live for. With a Why like that, she will never fail.

The examples of these three clients are weaved in a singular thread of some of the most valuable traits to have as a client to see success. Most trainers don't spend time talking about these things because they may not yield monetary benefits, but they can yield more success individually for clients. That's the goal of HUB-Fit systems and our primary focus. To achieve success not just on the scale, but in who you are and in all things.  

By being flexible and having a willingness for change, clients can open themselves to a new way of thinking, practicing and moving forward towards their goals. By having a measured focus short and long term clients can give themselves a practical day-to-day key while still reaching long term goals. Slow progress is better than no progress. Lastly, clients who have a strong "Why" always find a way to fight through to reach their goals!!!