and used their exercise prescription skills
to write programs for clients. Because the
trainer was the expert on weight loss, each
learnt that educating clients and developing
self-efficacy (confidence) for nutritional
change as well as exercise was paramount.
Strategies were very much based on
establishing a motivational climate for
clients both in and between sessions. The
style of this differed based on the client’s
physical activity history. On the whole, those
clients with a history of physical activity and
sport participation were communicated
to more intensely. Trainers also described
the importance of client accountability –
‘questioning, probing, problem-solving,
dealing with relapse’, especially for weight
loss clients. Achieving this was described as
paramount to client success, especially in
the early stages of behaviour change.
While none of the trainers in the study
knew each other, they had al