You see selfies posted all over social media but what about post-workout selfies? Are there any benefits to taking a quick shot of you and your client after a workout? As a self-professed selfie-taker and a fitness professional, I have done some research to discover what reasons there are (if any!) to take a post-workout selfie. Turns out, there are plenty! I came up with five reasons to do just that. Plus, we can use these reasons to help our clients stick to their training and reach their fitness goals.

1. Posting Selfies Can Encourage Accountability

Post-workout selfies can hold clients accountable to their workout and fitness routines. By creating a rhythm of posting photos on social media, they’ll build habits that reinforce their fitness efforts. Clients can also check in with their trainers between sessions by posting a photo. It works as proof of their daily workout that they did without their trainer present.

2. Photo Evidence Shows Results

Post-workout selfies are a great way for our clients to document the results of the time and effort they’ve put into training. Even if they don’t like to post publicly, they can take progress photos as they move along with their training program to show results over time, and to remind themselves how far they’ve come. If they do like to share photos, then friends and family will see and comment on their results too, encouraging them to keep it up.

3. Social Media Posts are a Reward for Hard Work

Why not post a photo with your clients? Of course, they share selfies on their own profiles, but posting on your own will feel like a pat on the back. This “reward” will show your clients you believe in them, which will result in client engagement! It makes your clients feel good about themselves—the very act of posting a selfie of your clients will give them a rewarding boost!  

4. Get Encouragement Through Social Media

Post-workout selfies can be used by both trainers and clients to encourage themselves and others to get involved in a fitness program. They can also be used in a training group to help support each other’s fitness journeys. Posting these photos can communicate messages of emotional support to others, such as “It’s not always pretty but it’s always worth doing,” and “If I can do it, then so can you.” We could all use a little encouragement, right?

5. Posting Selfies Can Motivate Others

The final reason for our clients to take a post-workout selfie? To motivate others! Sharing the endorphins they get with friends and family can help to motivate others to go for a walk, work out, or join a fitness group. By encouraging clients to become advocates for a healthy lifestyle, they’ll feel even more engaged in their own fitness journey.

We can all use a little more accountability and encouragement in our lives and fitness routines. A quick snapshot is an easy step our clients can take at the end of their workout that can help make a difference in them adhering to a fitness routine. Whether it’s for public sharing, private encouragement, or just for fun, a post-workout selfie could be an effective tactic for your clients to keep it up. Next time your clients need a little motivation, or a reminder of how far they’re come, ask them to take a #postworkoutselfie with you. You’ll be surprised how effective it can be!