The DISC Assessment & Fitness Coaching: How to Reach Your Customers so they Can Reach their Goals

On January 1^st, millions of people declared on social media that 2021 is their year for weight loss and then followed up with hashtags such as "new year, new me" in the caption. As the year progresses, though, many will find themselves falling off the wagon, losing their momentum, or not following through with their goals altogether.

Around that time, fitness trainers and coaches will start to find themselves at a loss of helping their clients succeed. But they don't have to.

DISC can aid coaches in approaching a client's personality style to create a fitness program perfect for them. There are four DISC personality types, and there are different approaches a fitness coach should take to motivate each. Let's look at some examples of how to encourage clients based on their DISC personality traits.

Motivating the "D" style

This type of style loves to take charge and feel challenged. However, the "D" style does not like to be told what to do. If they think they are being belittled during training, they will not respond well. "D's" also feel the need to be in charge of making decisions. Allow them to choose what to work on during a session and challenge them to improve their previous progress. When speaking to a "D" personality style, be brief, direct, and keep incorporating new workouts to keep things interesting.

Motivating the "I" style

People labeled as the "I" style like to be encouraged. If they feel emotionally rejected, they will feel insecure when training with you. They place a high emphasis on relationships and like to form strongemotional connections. If possible, include other clients in the training session so they may socialize. With the "I" styles, create incentives, always use positive reinforcement, and take breaks to give them a chance to speak to you.

Motivating the "S" style

The "S" type is characterized as a process-oriented style within the DISC model, giving way to a need for steadiness and routine. "S" styles prefer to workout in a team environment and do not favor change. They will gravitate toward equipment, people, and classes they know well. Don't make too many changes to routines or push them to complete too complex challenges that could de-motivate them. Express genuine interest with the "S" style, be peaceful, and always clearly define goals.

Motivating the "C" style

"C's" are the quiet and more analytical of the styles. They are also perfectionists. They may be inclined to be hard on themselves if a workout is not performed correctly. When speaking to a "C" style when they are not completing an exercise accurately, be specific on what they are not doing right, be patient, and allow them to have some independence to complete it. For example, monitoring from a distance while they finish a workout routine would help them feel more comfortable and confident in a session. Providing a mechanism for tracking reps, steps, body size changes, or other data toward goals is essential to the conscientious "C" style.

Ready to try a behavioral approach to fitness coaching? The PeopleKeys DISC Profile for Fitness, combined with DISC Theory knowledge from DISC certification courses, will provide you with all the behavioral tools you need t help your clients the way they prefer to reach their fitness goals. We want to give you the optimal education to motivate, inspire, and understand what keeps your clients on track.