3 Tips To Build Exercise Adherence For Busy Professional, A Must For All Successful Coaching

Health transformation is all about behavior change. What motivates someone to start a fitness routine is key to their long-term adherence. Experienced fitness professionals know that the biggest challenge is helping clients stick to their program. Without adherence, there’s no consistency, and without consistency, results are sporadic.

Motivation is the psychological drive that gives behavior direction and purpose. To build adherence, 3 traits are essential for a successful coach-client relationship:

Awareness

A statistic stated that 50% of people who start a new program eventually gave up less than 6 months ( Dishman, 1988), which shows that how difficult it is for a program to be successful. I find that create a realistic plan with the awareness of taking into all factors such as personal, environment and social is very important.

• Personal factors include health status, activity history, and beliefs.

• Environmental factors include access to facilities and time constraints.

• Social factors include support from family and friends.

As a coach, we must assess all these factors with the clients to create an awareness around the possible problems may arise to avoid any drop off from a program.

Communication

Relapses in adherence are inevitable. One of the most important conversation that I often share with clients about their relapse is offering support and educate them how to cope with their current lifestyle changes. As the saying goes, “ It doesn’t how much you know, it’s about how much you care.”

Open communication is key. Develop an honest and genuine discussion. Client must remember that they are the sole ownership of their journey and their coach is only part of the support system. Building trust with clear boundaries can significantly increase the likelihood of long-term success.

Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to the belief in one’s own capabilities to successfully engage in the exercise program. It is often related to positive attitudes that drive motivation, under the premises that if a person believe that they can remain active with their program, they are more likely to do so with initiatives and effort.

Self-efficacy beliefs influence thought patterns, emotional responses, and behavior (Bandura 1986). Therefore, a coach’s communication and awareness of client ongoing lifestyle changes are crucial in affecting their thought patterns and subsequently changing their behavior.

Everyone’s motivation varies—some thrive on verbal support, while others prefer a hands-off approach. Education is key, especially in teaching clients to assess their physiological state, like fatigue or soreness. I often call this "teaching clients to feel what they feel," which can significantly enhance their fitness experience in a positive way.

By fostering awareness, maintaining open communication, and building self-efficacy, we can significantly enhance adherence and improve long-term fitness outcomes.

Thank you for reading. I hope to hear from you about any thoughts or questions that you have. Need coaching help and free 1:1 consultation, write to me at [email protected] or subscribe to my newsletter