results . Consider two patrons who have decided that they want to lose weight via an exercise program . One might want it because they want to look good for an upcoming holiday ; the other might want it because their doctor has informed them that they are pre-diabetic and they want to change that prognosis .
However , when it comes to talking about what motivates us , we humans can be a bit reserved . Depending on what the motivation is , we often need to get to know and trust someone , and for them to get to know us , before we open up and ‘ spill ’ the true reason behind our actions . So , how can group fitness instructors help our patrons do this ?
Expanding our rapport
The first part of this article explored three tactics that can be effective for establishing rapport between ourselves and a new patron ; creating a welcoming environment ; learning and using names ; and establishing some points of commonality . The last of these points is worth further exploration when it comes to reaching people on a deeper level .
As we get to know our participants , we notice trends in their topics of conversation . The ability to create some ‘ same here ’ moments can
When it comes to talking about what motivates us , we humans can be a bit reserved be very valuable .
For example , when I first started teaching aqua fitness , I noticed that my patrons , who were predominantly older adults , would talk a lot to both myself and each other about gardening . At the time I wasn ’ t into gardening , but I decided to acquire some pots , gloves and seedlings and to give it a go . While I still can ’ t claim to have developed much of a green thumb , it has given me a talking point with my garden-loving patrons .
Naturally , our own personalities and interests are going to drive what we might pick up on , and for me that ’ s travel . When a participant tells me that they ’ re going to miss a class or two because they are going away , I ask them a couple of questions . Firstly , I ’ ll ask where they are going , and if it ’ s somewhere I ’ ve been to , or have researched visiting , then I have a ‘ same here ’ point . The second question is how long they are going away for . After wishing them safe travels , I will make a note in my calendar around the time they are due back . That way , I know when to look out for them and to greet them with , for example , ‘ Welcome back Mary – how was Spain ?’ As previously noted , as a society we have become so used to being treated as a number , that when a professional in our lives remembers a detail like that , it speaks volumes to us .
Along with travel , I have a love for linguistics . With Australia being such a melting pot of cultures , I ’ ve made it a goal to learn a few words of my non-Anglo- Australian participants ’ languages , even if it ’ s just ‘ Hi ’ or ‘ Bye ’. The way peoples ’ eyes light up when they hear their ‘ mother tongue ’ spoken to them can be unbelievable .
Location , location : going outside the box
While the most obvious place to build rapport with participants is in the exercise studio , or in the area outside as we wait for a class to finish , limiting it to these areas will limit your opportunities to build engagement .
What ’ s to stop you , as you walk to the studio from other parts of the facility or the carpark , from engaging a member or two in conversation ? Even if you only have time for a quick ‘ How ’ s your week been ?’ small talk can pave the way for ‘ big talk ’, so use it as an opportunity .
Consider joining your class for coffee ,
66 | NETWORK SPRING 2018