Clarify the purpose for exercise. Concrete, ongoing benefits should be stressed, such as feeling better and looking better, or increased mobility. Emphasis on safe conditioning for sports is effective.
Agree on specific measurable goals, accompanied by a detailed plan of how you will mark progress.
Break down goals into manageable pieces, which meshes with Gold’s systematic approach to any project.
Golds are concerned about safety, injury, and not over-doing. Provide the necessary reassurance of these factors, while keeping them challenged.
To provide extra confidence and increase compliance, communicate your credentials and training experience. Emphasize that there’s a right way and wrong way to train, and you are going to teach them the right way.
Cite role models to inspire them—people they can identify with in terms of age, condition, and goals.
Show respect for the traditional approach favored by Gold. Don’t suggest exercises or programs that have not stood the test of time.
Golds enjoy public recognition, and will respond well to displays of their achievements (pictures, certificates, ribbon, medals, member of the month, etc.). Encourage them to also reward them-selves as they reach milestones.
Utilize their attraction to routine, planning, and thriftiness. Schedule six sessions in a row at the same time. Offer a discount on multiple sessions.
Create a plan to deal with disruption of routine. Golds who travel need to know how to continue their fitness regimens on the road, dealing with new gyms, new terrain, and other out of the ordinary conditions.
Keep in Mind
Golds with Efficiency want a concrete progress report. Emphasize their accomplishments and the goals they are achieving.
Golds with Harmony enjoy positive affirmation, so preface corrections with praise. Recognize and provide for their need for personal connection, but limit it. It can easily divert the session.