Three Strategies for Early Success in your New Fitness and Training Position

Hard work and opportunity finally collided for you. You got hired for your very first full-time job and are brand new to the position. Insert high performance role here: Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Athletic Trainer, Physical Therapist, Dietitian, etc. Regardless of your specialty, they all bring the same assortment of emotions and opportunity.

Excitement. Anticipation. Gratitude. Nerves. Concerns. Insecurities protected by a layer of confidence. All of these are sure to be present, and each one of them is normal and expected. Of all of them, however, one of the most prominent is likely to be the drive and desire to make a big impression. You are brand new to your job and in a brand-new gym, training center, or clinic. How do you connect early? How do you ensure a great start? How do you deliver and stand out in the right way, despite not having much experience?

One big item to understand is that each new environment that you find yourself in has their own set of norms and standards. There is the chance that what was common and expected at your last stop or previous place of employment might be similar to your new one. But it might not be. In fact, it is likely that there will be differences. The approach or day-to-day execution that brought you success before may not be the one that accomplishes the same in your new place of work. It will benefit you tremendously for you to recognize these differences as accurately and as early as possible, to avoid any missteps that may erode confidence in your abilities before it even gets established.

Here are three strategies to consider that may help you get off the ground in an impactful way:

Observe and Inquire

Chances are, you will be introduced to some type of orientation or new employee training program. You will be taught a lot of the ins and outs of the job; everything from how to turn the lights on, to how to enter a new client into the system and take a payment, to how to use their training program design software. It will cover a lot but will likely omit many of the hidden, key components that can empower you to make a big impression early.

This is where you want to take charge on your own and not rely solely on the structure of the company’s onboarding plan. You can do this two ways: mindful observation and asking the right type of questions. Take notice of your new surroundings and the interactions that go on naturally. Don’t just enter rooms or walk the training floor but do so with the intent to learn about the new world in which you find yourself. Ask questions that will add to your new cultural knowledgebase as quickly as possible.

Here is a small list of topics and questions that will be helpful for you as you integrate in your first few days and weeks. You can answer these simply by watching on your own or asking them of your leader or a trusted teammate:

• What are your Day 1 and Week 1 goals to get off the ground the right way and generate real momentum?

• What would be 2-3 actionable steps you could take in Week 1 to fit in as a great teammate here?

• Who are the influencers at your location? These are the trainers or staff that may have a strong clientele, may have longevity in the field, or may have a large network with the company and/or the industry. Ask them if they would be willing to meet over coffee for a brief introduction and discussion

• How are you being evaluated? Is there a structured and timely evaluation process, or might you have to seek this out on your own to understand your performance?

• What has worked well for other people in your role? What did they try that didn’t?

• Are you more of an outside observer in training sessions for an initial period, or is it expected that you actively participate right away with spotting, coaching cues, etc.?

• What is the system following a workout? Staff debrief? Record weights and document notes? Organize the room? Or move right to the next group or client and take care of those complementary needs after?

• How does the staff communicate? In-person meetings, or are text, email, or a software application the preferred method?

Side note on this one: Also keep in mind that they the ideal communication strategy may change depending on the person you are messaging. To your immediate leader or supervisor and to the 2-3 teammates that you will deal with most regularly, it is helpful to ask, “What is the best way to communicate with you?”




• What is the format / expectations for team meetings? You may be asked to present your background and introduce yourself to your new teammates publicly? Should you develop a presentation deck for that big first impression opportunity, or is the expectation to be a lot more casual and just a conversation?

• Is there common terminology and nomenclature on the training floor? The name you learned or used for a movement pattern at a previous stop may not be the same as where you are currently.

 





Find a Vet




Every sport team roster has crafty veterans. These are the athletes that have spent multiple years playing in the trenches, experienced all of the day-to-day highs and lows and have lived to talk about them, and take it upon themselves to grab the rookies and show them the ropes. It’s likely you will have at least a few of these types of knowledgeable vets or trainers on your new staff as well. It doesn’t have to be someone that has spent decades working there, just a fellow teammate that has been around for at least a few years, has deep knowledge about the work environment, and is willing to share objective, helpful information. This is an individual that can help uncover the unwritten rules that are often hard to see and can serve as a guide for you as you navigate the new world in which you find yourself.




These individuals are not hard to find. They are usually the ones who will introduce themselves to you, show genuine interest in your path or story, and will offer up a meeting time or assistance before you even ask. They may not even be in your immediate department, nor do they have to be. That may even be the preferred choice, as you can be assured that there are not any hidden agendas or perceived competition for roles or advancement within your section. The big take-home here is that front-line knowledge is what you lack most, and the quickest way to get it is to solicit advice from those that have earned it.

 





The Power of “Yet”




It's ok to let people know you don’t have all the answers right away. Vulnerability and humility are personal qualities of strength and can earn respect amongst peers in a big way. Many young trainers or practitioners try to put up the front that they know it all. This is a clear newbie mistake, as they don’t recognize that it is perfectly normal to let others know that you just don’t have an answer to a certain topic. A powerful strategy in these situations is to incorporate the word, “yet.”




"I have heard about that eating pattern, but I have not read a lot about it yet."




"I know that supplement is popular for recovery, but I have not yet read any research about it. I will look it up and get back to you."




There is magic in “yet” with respect to growth and development. It suggests commitment; the courage to admit that you are not quite ready for that precise moment, but you are making a promise to yourself and that person to go and get ready. You are not embarrassed, you are not self-conscious, and you are not dumb. You just simply haven’t been exposed to that topic enough to learn it and be able to communicate it. You also don’t feel the need to throw out some BS partial-truth answer to the question in the moment just to make yourself feel better.




No one expects you to know everything, and it is entirely acceptable to admit when you don’t. The people you deal with will respect your honesty and transparency, and you will end up learning more about topics you didn’t previously know. That’s a big win on two levels.




Following these suggestions will make for a much more gratifying new experience. You will be a more informed professional, you will settle in with a bit less concern and a lot more confidence, and you will be on your way to earning the respect and recognition that you are hoping for in your new role.





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