PERSONAL TRAINER: CAN I TOUCH MY CLIENTS?

PERSONAL TRAINER: CAN I TOUCH MY CLIENTS?

GFFI Fitness Academy- by Dr. Neeraj Mehta (Personal Trainer: Scope of Practice)

This is not within the scope of your practice and should be kept to a bare minimum. Touching a client should be reserved for body fat measurement (if trained) or guiding/tactile cueing movement patterns and contractions.

By definition, fitness training entails significant physical activity. While this may seem self-evident, depending on your personal circumstances and the nature of your fitness business, you should use caution while interacting with a client.

Numerous professional jobs, including medical, hairdressing, beauty, physical therapy, massage, and personal training, require touch. Consent is critical in any occupation that requires physical touch.

LET US BEGIN WITH THE ESSENTIALS:

When working with customers, fitness instructors might employ appropriate touch to assist them in improving their form, technique, or body awareness.

Obtaining permission from the customer and stating where and why you intend to touch them are critical communication principles for any professional.

It is critical that informed consent forms include a statement about permissible contact during physical activity.

It is critical for everyone, including your clients, to establish appropriate professional limits.

Each of these stages can be further subdivided into smaller ones.

Consent (sometimes known as permission) is required prior to any physical interaction with a customer. It’s particularly difficult in legal terms when a client feels they’ve been touched inappropriately or uninvitedly. Bear in mind that this is not your perspective; this is your client’s perspective.

Take nothing for granted. “Do you want me to spot you by touching or tugging the bar?” question your customer during informational and screening interviews, as well as training sessions. If you’re comfortable, I’ll demonstrate where to feel the stretch on your calf. What if I position your shoulders properly for this exercise? Consent granted once does not guarantee that it will be granted in perpetuity. Whenever you believe you will need to make physical contact with one of your clients during a training session, ensure you first consult with them. Depending on their degree of comfort, some clients will allow you to touch them, while others would refuse.

If you touch a client without their permission, you risk being charged with assault, violence, and possibly sexual assault.

Following certain principles when engaging with clients

Client contact should be limited to those instances where it is absolutely necessary for training. Direct contact with the client is preferred to verbal instructions and demonstrations on your own body.

If a client protests, explain why you’re requesting to touch them and propose a different course of action.

Even if the customer has already consented, you should refrain from touching them if they look to be uncomfortable.

Acquaint yourself with professional touching skills applicable to your line of work. It is best to contact a client with the flat of your hand rather than your fingertip. It is critical to keep a firm and purposeful grasp on the opposing party’s hand.

Never make personal contact with a client on any portion of the body that is covered by clothing.

As a personal trainer, you should be conscious of the constraints you impose on yourself and your profession unless you are also qualified as a massage therapist or physical therapist.

Personal and social interactions with clients should not be detrimental to the trainer-client relationship.

Avoid and discourage all sexual contact and talk.

The type of consent-related inquiries you ask should not be gender-specific.

Rely on your professional sense when deciding where to meet clients.

Keep a record of your clients’ interactions with you in your session notes. Make a note of the locations and reasons for your contact with your client.

Terminating a connection with an unhappy customer is always the appropriate course of action if you are unable to maintain professional boundaries, whether due to your own or the client’s behavior.

Finally, with your client’s cooperation, you can utilize appropriate touch to assist them in developing a greater awareness of their own musculoskeletal system, whether through spotting, stretching, or simply assisting them in assuming the proper body position. Maintaining a professional tone requires effective communication and sound judgment.


profile picture of dr.neeraj_mehta

dr.neeraj_mehta