PFT Certification Course, Los Angeles, California, December, 2015
A firefighter’s demands are not just physical. As such, when given an opportunity to first meet with a new client or discuss a peer’s wellness- and fitness-related goals, Peer Fitness Trainers should seek to better understand their physical activity and lifestyle habits. Does the client have any preferences regarding the type, time or location of exercise? Do they perceive any barriers to success, and if so, are they modifiable? Above all, demonstrating a genuine interest in the client as a person will go a long way to building rapport a positive working relationship. Clients must be comfortable speaking with their PFT about their goals and challenges, hence the reason why it is so important to make a great first impression. This module discusses the importance of communication, introduces the notion of motivational interviewing and establishes a framework to set short- and long-term goals.