The Epic Struggle of Getting Clients to Take Measurements

As a personal trainer, you’d think my biggest challenge would be something obvious, like helping clients push through gruelling workouts or convincing them that “chocolate protein bar” isn’t a legit meal. But no, my Everest, my Goliath, my most consistent battle is much more mundane. It’s not squats, it’s not burpees. It’s getting clients to take regular measurements. Welcome to my world, where the tape measure is feared more than leg day and where “No Weigh, Jose!” becomes the unofficial mantra of half my client base.

The In-Person Dream: Measure, Record, Repeat

Let me paint you a picture. In person, everything runs like clockwork. The client shows up, we exchange a bit of friendly banter, and then I hit them with, “Time for measurements!” There’s a brief flash of dread in their eyes, but they know they can’t escape. Not when I’ve got a tape measure in one hand, scales on the floor beside me, and a notepad in the other hand.

I take the measurements myself: chest, shoulders, waist, hips, arms, and legs. There’s a moment of tension as I read out the numbers. I swear some clients brace themselves like they’re about to hear their GCSE results.

But here’s the beauty of in-person training—I can schedule the next measurement, and they can’t wiggle out of it. “We’ll do this again in two weeks,” I say, jotting it down in the diary. Boom. Job done. No excuses, no procrastination, no ‘I forgot’ text messages. And when those measurements start to show progress? Oh, it’s a glorious day. Clients beam with pride. I bask in the glow of my success. Everyone wins.

The Online Client Conundrum

Then there are my online clients.

Ah, the joy of online training. Convenient for the client, and theoretically, it should be a breeze for me too. In practice, however, getting an online client to take measurements is like asking a cat to take a bath. You can ask. You can beg. You can offer treats. But you know deep down it’s probably not happening.

Here’s how it typically goes:

Me: “Okay, remember to take your measurements this week. It’s really important to track progress!”

Client: “Yeah, definitely! I’ll do it right after our session.”

Me: “Brilliant! Don’t forget now!”

Client: Forgets immediately.

A week passes. We reconvene for our next session.

Me: “Did you get those measurements?”

Client: “Oh… I meant to… but I couldn’t find my tape measure.”

Ah yes, the elusive tape measure. I imagine they’re sold out everywhere, hoarded like toilet paper during a lockdown.

Next week rolls around:

Me: “Did you manage to pick up a tape measure?”

Client: “Yes! But… my cat/dog/hamster chewed it. I’ll get another one soon.”

Me: Twitches nervously.

The Creative Excuses Hall of Fame

Online clients are a creative bunch. Over the last few months, I’ve heard it all. Here are some highlights:

– “I don’t have anyone to take the measurements for me.” (Mate, it’s a tape measure, not an IKEA wardrobe.)

– “I don’t know how to read centimetres.” (What are we, in ancient Mesopotamia?)

– “The tape measure is broken.” (What? Does it have a flat tyre?)

– “I forgot which body parts to measure.” (I sent you a diagram, a video, and a full-blown PowerPoint presentation.)

Eventually, I’ve learned to pick my battles. After all, I don’t want to scare them off entirely by coming across like a schoolteacher chasing homework. But come on, it’s “just” a measurement. How hard can it be? Turns out, harder than a one-legged squat while holding a kettlebell.

Measurement Procrastination: A New Olympic Sport

It’s like the entire process of taking measurements triggers some primal avoidance instinct. Some clients would rather face a dozen burpees than stretch a tape measure around their waist. Others treat measurements like an optional garnish—“I’ll get to it if I have time.” Spoiler alert: they never have time.

In fact, I’m convinced there’s a subcategory of clients who have evolved specifically to avoid measurements. They possess the unique ability to misplace tape measures at will. Perhaps they’ve developed an extra gene for tape measure invisibility. Some clients have even resorted to putting it in a “safe place,” which we all know is code for “I’ll never find it again.”

One client confessed that their tape measure had been living under a pile of laundry for six months. Another swore they put it in the kitchen drawer, only to discover it was actually at their mum’s house, 300 miles away. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day someone tells me their tape measure was abducted by aliens.

The Anti-Measurement Campaign

It’s almost as though they’ve started a secret club—the Anti-Measurement Campaign (AMC for short). They have meetings, an exclusive WhatsApp group, they make excuses, and strategise ways to avoid the dreaded task.

“We could say we dropped it in the bath,” one client says.

“That’s genius!” exclaims another. “Or what if we pretend we measured but ‘accidentally’ used the wrong units?”

The possibilities are endless.

How Do We Solve This?

After these first few months of wrangling (and let’s be honest, googling suggestions), I’ve come up with a few (possibly desperate) strategies to get clients to take their measurements:

1. The Bribe: “If you take your measurements, I’ll reduce your next session by 10 minutes.” It’s amazing what people will do for fewer burpees.

2. The Passive-Aggressive Reminder: “Oh, I’m sure your measurements are AMAZING now. But I’ll never know because you haven’t sent them to me, will I?”

3. The Group Pressure: Start a client WhatsApp group. “Look at Jane, she took her measurements this week! Anyone else?” It’s surprisingly effective.

4. The Tape Measure/Scales Challenge: Turn it into a competition. “Who can take their measurements the fastest?” Suddenly, everyone is a champion.

The Silver Lining

Despite the battle to get clients to take their measurements, when they finally do, and we can chart their progress, it’s all worth it. There’s a moment of triumph when they see the tangible results of their hard work—a slimmer waist, bigger biceps, or whatever their goal is. Suddenly, the tape measure is no longer the enemy. It’s a tool for victory.

Not unlike checking your bank balance or credit card bill, it might be uncomfortable, but rip that plaster off – you’re better off knowing where you’re truly at. Only then can you really know how far you are from where you want to be, and how much work will be required.

Until next month when it’s time to take the measurements again. Sigh.

So, if you’re an online client reading this, take your measurements. Please. For the love of all that is holy. And if you need me, I’ll be over here, hunting for a new client who knows where their tape measure and bathroom scales are.