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Initial Consultation & Goal Setting

The client meets the personal trainer for the first time to discuss their fitness goals, medical history, and current exercise habits. They might also do a basic fitness assessment.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

1
Personal Trainer (Male)
Hi [Client's Name], welcome to the gym! I'm Andrew, your personal trainer. Thanks for coming in today for your initial consultation.
2
Client (Female)
Hi Andrew, great to meet you! I'm excited to get started. I've been wanting to get back into shape for a while now.
3
Personal Trainer (Male)
That's fantastic to hear! To kick things off, could you tell me a bit about your main fitness goals? What are you hoping to achieve with our sessions?
4
Client (Female)
Well, my main goal is to lose about 5-7 kilograms, and also to improve my overall strength. I sit a lot for work, so I'd love to feel stronger and have more energy.
5
Personal Trainer (Male)
Those are clear and achievable goals. Good to know. And how about your current exercise habits? Do you work out regularly, or are you just getting back into it?
6
Client (Female)
Not really regularly, to be honest. I used to go to spinning classes a few years ago, but lately, I haven't been doing much at all. Maybe a brisk walk once or twice a week, that’s about it.
7
Personal Trainer (Male)
Okay, that gives us a good starting point. Now, it's very important that I ask about your medical history. Any past injuries, chronic conditions, or medications I should be aware of?
8
Client (Female)
Nothing major, just a mild ache in my left knee sometimes if I overdo it. It's usually fine, though. No other serious conditions or medications.
9
Personal Trainer (Male)
Understood. We'll definitely keep that in mind when designing your program and make sure we warm up properly. To wrap up, I'd like to do a quick functional movement screen, just to see your current mobility and stability. It won't take long.
10
Client (Female)
Sounds good. Lead the way!

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

personal trainer

A person who helps you exercise and reach fitness goals one-on-one at the gym. Use this term when talking about hiring help for workouts.

initial consultation

The first meeting to discuss plans and needs, like in a doctor's or trainer's office. It's useful for starting any new service or program.

fitness goals

Specific aims for health and exercise, such as losing weight or building muscle. Mention these when setting personal targets in conversations about self-improvement.

achievable

Something that can be done successfully with effort. Use it to describe realistic plans, like 'achievable goals' to motivate yourself or others.

exercise habits

Regular patterns of physical activity, like walking or gym visits. Talk about this when sharing your routine with friends or trainers.

work out

To exercise, especially at a gym. It's a common phrase for daily fitness talks, like 'I work out three times a week.'

medical history

Past health information, including injuries or illnesses. Share this politely in professional settings like doctor or trainer meetings to ensure safety.

warm up

Light exercises before intense activity to prevent injury. Use this in fitness contexts to show you know basic safety steps.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

Thanks for coming in today for your initial consultation.

This is a polite welcome phrase used at the start of a first meeting. It's useful for professional greetings; the structure 'Thanks for [gerund] [noun]' shows appreciation and sets a positive tone.

I'm excited to get started. I've been wanting to get back into shape for a while now.

Expresses enthusiasm and a past desire. 'Get back into shape' is an idiom for improving fitness after a break; use this when restarting a hobby to sound motivated.

Could you tell me a bit about your main fitness goals?

A polite question to gather information. 'Could you tell me' is a soft way to ask; useful in consultations to learn about someone's plans without being direct.

My main goal is to lose about 5-7 kilograms, and also to improve my overall strength.

States personal aims clearly. Use 'to [verb]' for goals; this pattern helps in goal-setting talks, like job interviews or fitness plans, to be specific and structured.

Not really regularly, to be honest.

An honest admission of irregularity. 'To be honest' softens the truth; common in casual conversations to build trust when discussing habits.

Any past injuries, chronic conditions, or medications I should be aware of?

Inquires about health safely. Lists items with 'or' for options; essential in medical or fitness contexts to show care and prevent risks.

We'll definitely keep that in mind when designing your program.

Promises consideration of info. 'Keep [something] in mind' means to remember; use this to reassure others in planning discussions, like work or training.

Sounds good. Lead the way!

Agrees and invites action. 'Lead the way' is idiomatic for guiding someone; casual and positive for following in new situations like tours or classes.