National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) Practice Exam

A trainer should acknowledge the embarrassment and encourage honesty in this situation because creating a supportive and empathetic environment is essential for effective communication. When a client feels embarrassed about their fitness history, acknowledging their feelings helps to validate their emotions and shows that the trainer is attentive and understanding. This approach fosters trust and openness, allowing the client to feel more comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges without fear of judgment.

Encouraging honesty also means that the trainer can gather accurate information about the client's history and needs, which is vital for designing a tailored fitness program. This open dialogue contributes to building a positive client-trainer relationship, ultimately facilitating better outcomes in their fitness journey.

Other options, such as becoming embarrassed alongside the client, ignoring the embarrassment, or postponing the discussion, do not support the client's emotional state or promote effective communication. These options can hinder establishing rapport and might prevent the client from feeling secure in sharing vital information about their fitness background.