THE FIRST SESSION 101
The first session with a brand new client.
It is important when dealing with a new client to go into as much detail as possible when explaining the process. It is important for the client to feel safe and feel as you have full control over the situation. Ensure you don’t use works like ‘umm’ whilst talking. Constant uses of the word ‘Umm’ can make a client feel uneasy about your knowledge.
Book at least a 45 minute window for a new client. This give you room to slow down, explain things, get to know the client and sign the client up at the end.
1: Pre screening form: Before the first session you must make sure the client has filled out the pre health screening form and you have confirmed that they have no illnesses, injuries or considerations. This goes for any family member or friend.
The screening from should be pre emailed to the client prior to the session. If the client turns up and the screening form is not done – do a paper one. No one does EMS without this form being completed.
2. Greet the client: When the client arrives greet them warningly and with energy. Ask how they are feeling and if they have any niggles or injuries.
3. Organise their suit: This includes the glute belt, arms and leg. When choosing a vest if you are unsure get them to try on a vest dry. There are some cases where going to a larger size might be more suitable if the client has either a long torso, wide hips or a large bust.
Men and women can use both men and womens vests. You will find that if a small womens vest is a bit too big than an extra small men’s vest would be the perfect fit. It is important too choose the right glute band. If it is too small the Velcro will come apart once they start too move and if its big it will feel uncomfortable. When putting on the glute band keep your direction consistent. The tab that needs to be placed down first will be your left hand. “Left side down first, then right on top”. This saves time and guess work for the client.
The accessories come in 3 sizes. No 1 will be for arms only. No 2 and 3 for legs.
4: Undergarment: Choose an undergarment size for the client and explain the process of putting on the undergarments. It is better to give a client a larger size than a smaller size to avoid the material over stretching and becoming see through. Men with larger arms and women with large glutes are recommended to use a large size.
We recommend the client to wear no underwear under the undergarments. The EMS pulse is designed to go through one layer of clothing. Also, because we are going to spray them with water any underwear is going to get wet. For ladies with a larger bust – they may be better off wearing a bra. This bra should ideally be THIN and made of natural fiber. However, they will not know this policy on the first go – so you will need to discuss with the client what option they want to go with. If they decide to wear a bra and the middle back does not work then you can explain why. For the ladies a g-string is acceptable as is thin underwear of natural fiber. Explain though that if they are wearing the incorrect underwear then BUM will not work. Thus, best no underwear. Footwear can be socks, barefoot or shoes.
5. Suit Up: Spray and suit up the client. Make sure you spray the client and suit with plenty of water for the best experience. Talk the client through everything you are doing and even use this as a chance to talk about injuries and what the session will be like.
6. Plug the client in: Once you have plugged the client in explain the “neutral position” – Hands together with the legs slightly bent. Explain why the arms need to be bent. Reassure them that you will be watching to make sure they have the right position at all times.
7. Start the session with Strength:
Option 1: Impulse familiarisation function: This is an easy way to get someone used to the EMS pulse. This has the sensation of the strength but it is continuous. Good for a warm up or for someone that is nervous on their first go.
Option 2: Basic Strength. This is a 4 second on 4 second off with a 0.1 second rise. The reason we start a beginner on this setting is so they don’t get that sudden hit from the electrodes every time they turn back on.
Always take your time there is no rush. When calibrating encourage them strongly to use the word “STOP”. When going through the exercises make sure you are doing excellent explanations and demonstrations. Watch the client and ensure their technique is perfect for every rep.
Give them plenty of time to know what they are to do before swapping to the next exercise. It is your job and skill as a trainer to give them the best first session that you can – without any chance of hurting them. If you feel that they did not go hard enough, you should explain that EMS is like any other form of exercise, you have to learn how to do it well.
The strength part goes for 10-12 minutes depending on how long it took you too set up the client and how tight you are for time.
8: Metabolism: This part goes for 5 minutes including set up. Explain to the client that we are looking for about 80% effort. This should be easier as they have gotten used to the concept of EMS by now. Just remember they are not used to the exercises so continue with excellent explanations and demonstrations. If you feel a client is going too high, too low or need to rest, take control of the session.
Insure you work around a clients injuries and limitations. Don’t push a client too hard on their first go.
9: Relax. This part goes for 3-5 minutes depending on the time. Make sure you set the timmer for 5 minutes so you don’t get distracted and leave your client in the machine for longer then needed. Use this as an opportunity to get to know your client a bit more and see how they felt about the session.
Tell them that while they might feel fine after the session that their body worked really hard. A good session is equivalent to doing an hour and a half of heavy weights. This is the primary reason you can only do EMS once or twice a week. After you have explained these points to the client – ask if they have any questions.
If they ask you a question you don’t know the answer too – DO NOT MAKE SOMETHING UP – tell them you don’t know and you will find out the answer. ASK Michael or Tiae. After question time, explain what might happen in the next couple of days. Sore but not DOMS sore. Upper bum will most likely be sore. They will be hungry afterwards, so make sure to have something to eat and drink lost of water. They should walk out feeling great as you get the endorphin release from doing exercise without being tired from exercising.
Explain to the client that EMS is best done once or twice a week, every week, for great results. For best results we recommend doing EMS twice per week. But if a client is doing a lot of training we don’t want them to over train so one session a week is a good compliment to their current schedule.
Any exercise program take 8-12 weeks before you will start to notice any results we recommend that new clients commits to EMS for 10 weeks to see how EMS could benefit them. But clients should begin to see positive results within the first 3 - 4 sessions. This could include endorphins, weight loss, better sleep, energy and paid relief, movement.
We do not need to push people too hard to sign up for EMS. With a little help from us EMS should sell its self.
10: Communicate and photo. At the end the session ask again how they a feeling. Try and encourage every new client to take a photo in the EMS suit. This photo will then be sent too them and can be uploaded to our instagram and with them tagged in it.
11: Then take off the suit. When ever possible put the suit away as you continue to make small talk with them. But if you don’t have time fold everything and tidy up the trainer area as they are getting changed.
12: Make them a client: Walk the client upstairs, as them how they are feeling, what they thought of the session and if they would like to do another session.
Go through the payment options, book them in for their next session on the spot and set up their payment. If the client is undecided you can let them go with the promise that you will call them the next day to see how they are feeling. This phone call is the last chance to get them as a client. Push hard for the membership options.
13. Follow up. 24-48 hours after the session follow up on the client and check in with how they are feeling. Send them their fun photo in the ems suit and if they haven’t booked in for a session yet try and get them to book in.
