A trainer is working with a client who has been struggling to fit in his...

NASM’s behavioral coaching and psychology of exercise sections highlight that social support is one of the strongest influences on exercise adherence. The Study Guide explains that “social support consists of a source (who or what provides it) and a type (instrumental, emotional, informational, and companionship), and clients will have different needs and expectations of social support.” When a client struggles to fit workouts into their life, the trainer’s role is to identify potential barriers, such as lack of time, convenience, or support from family and friends, and then work collaboratively to create realistic solutions. Discussing the client’s social support structure helps uncover if others can provide instrumental support (childcare, transportation), emotional support (encouragement), or companionship (workout partners). This aligns with NASM’s guidance to focus on overcoming barriers, rather than criticizing discipline or making abrupt program changes unrelated to the root cause. Setting multiple new goals at once can overwhelm the client, reducing adherence. Therefore, addressing the support system provides a foundation for sustainable workout integration.