JERRY Diaz, a certified National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer, has trained clients from all walks of life. A mixed martial arts fighter, doctors, high school and college students, educators, business owners, lawyers and judges.
Dr. Maria Hy smiles as she poses for a photo with personal trainer Jerry Diaz at BBJ Athletics Studio.
They all have something in common, Diaz said. “They need a trainer-client relationship that involves trusting their trainer to create a safe training program that matches their lifestyle and helps them reach their fitness goals.”
Diaz believes that establishing a connection and understanding where a person comes from are key factors to a successful trainer-client relationship.
“A trainer must get to know his or client holistically — profession, education, relationships, health status, and basically how they are feeling at the current moment,” Diaz said. “Getting to know the clients will unlock their self-awareness so they can mentally focus and be in-tune with their performance.”
Diaz recommends a “holistic fitness program” which consists of four factors:
• Health
When a fitness trainer and a client begin their journey together, they should learn about each other’s background. Open communication and providing feedback are important.
• Emotions
During any type of fitness training, a client will go through an emotional state that either makes the individual feel great and successful or depleted and discouraged. This is a very sensitive phase so the trainer must be ready to respond in a way that will help the client feel safe and capable.
The trainer also expects the client to follow through with their daily, weekly and monthly goals. The client must stay motivated and focused.
• Self-awareness
This involves creating a safe space so that the client will be in tune to his or her emotions while performing exercises.
• Building long-term relationships
To build long-term relationships with his clients, Diaz said he must listen to their concerns, know the challenges they face, commend them for their successes, and encourage them to make continuous improvements.
For professional fitness inquiries, contact Jerry Diaz through Instagram at @BBJ_Athletics or Facebook.
