This article is coming off the heels of one I read via T-Nation.com (Testosterone Nation). The article outlines ways to tell if you have a "bad trainer" and what signs to look for. The article really made me think about not only myself as a trainer, but my peers as well. The truth is that if your trainer is not tracking your results, keeping workouts specific to your goals, and invested in your success, then WHY ARE YOU PAYING THEM?!?
I believe it all boils down to sticking to the scientific, proven principles of adaptation as they relate to the human body. All too often you see personal trainers "changing up" the workouts, usually on a DAILY basis to supposedly 'shock' the muscle, but really they are just entertaining themselves and the client. Many trainers bite off more than they can chew, causing them to live a monotonous life, doing similar things over and over with multiple clients that have the same goals. Many trainers will adopt this mentality out of boredom or they just aren't educated enough to stand their ground when their client constantly asks why every workout isn't completely different. What are your clients paying you for? Results. At the end of the day that's all they really want. They came to you because in many cases there are deep psychological factors that have caused them to reach out and ask for your professional services in hopes that you hold the preverbal "key" to getting them the success they dream of. This only works if you actually stick to what science shows, works!
Successful weightlifters have a key phrase they always tell those asking them for advice. "Check your ego at the door". That is the same advice fellow personal trainers need to apply to their business practices as well. It doesn't make you a good trainer because you can make your client stand on an unstable surface doing complex dynamic movements. Just because you talk a big game doesn't mean you will succeed. To succeed as a personal trainer you need to model yourself after those whom have succeeded. What is their key to success? They gave the client what they were hired them for; results. They did this through meticulous planning, coaching, tracking, and adapting workouts as needed based on the goals and needs of the client. They probably had a couple hard conversations in the beginning of their professional relationship to educate the client on why their plan is the right one. The client needs to be told how the program will help them accomplish what you were hired to accomplish, neglecting to do this will leave them confused and unmotivated.
I'm convinced that the reason you see so many personal trainers doing 10 different workouts during all 10 sessions they see their client that month is because they are too lazy to spend the time to build their client a proper workout PLAN. If you do not have the time to properly tend to your current clients and help them achieve results, why are you searching for even more clients to fill the "empty" hours in the day? All this does is diminish your ability to deliver effective, professional, workouts to your clients.
Fitness professionals today are the prime example of being "spread too thin" in the workplace. They desire to fill their schedules and train as many sessions as they can in search of a better paycheck, then stress out when clients quit after no visible results and 6 months of training. Instead of spending time looking for clients, take care of those you already have! When you succeed in getting results for others, you succeed in proving why they chose to work with you in the first place. You create your own marketing team, sales force, and advocate from each client that is overcome with gratitude at your professionalism and work ethic in helping them reach their goal.
If you are a personal trainer, take these words to heart. If you are a client, or potential client, remember what to look for in a professional and hold them to that standard.
Thomas Ketter C.S.C.S., C.E.S., C.P.T.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer
www.TasteofHealthOnline.com
I believe it all boils down to sticking to the scientific, proven principles of adaptation as they relate to the human body. All too often you see personal trainers "changing up" the workouts, usually on a DAILY basis to supposedly 'shock' the muscle, but really they are just entertaining themselves and the client. Many trainers bite off more than they can chew, causing them to live a monotonous life, doing similar things over and over with multiple clients that have the same goals. Many trainers will adopt this mentality out of boredom or they just aren't educated enough to stand their ground when their client constantly asks why every workout isn't completely different. What are your clients paying you for? Results. At the end of the day that's all they really want. They came to you because in many cases there are deep psychological factors that have caused them to reach out and ask for your professional services in hopes that you hold the preverbal "key" to getting them the success they dream of. This only works if you actually stick to what science shows, works!
Successful weightlifters have a key phrase they always tell those asking them for advice. "Check your ego at the door". That is the same advice fellow personal trainers need to apply to their business practices as well. It doesn't make you a good trainer because you can make your client stand on an unstable surface doing complex dynamic movements. Just because you talk a big game doesn't mean you will succeed. To succeed as a personal trainer you need to model yourself after those whom have succeeded. What is their key to success? They gave the client what they were hired them for; results. They did this through meticulous planning, coaching, tracking, and adapting workouts as needed based on the goals and needs of the client. They probably had a couple hard conversations in the beginning of their professional relationship to educate the client on why their plan is the right one. The client needs to be told how the program will help them accomplish what you were hired to accomplish, neglecting to do this will leave them confused and unmotivated.
I'm convinced that the reason you see so many personal trainers doing 10 different workouts during all 10 sessions they see their client that month is because they are too lazy to spend the time to build their client a proper workout PLAN. If you do not have the time to properly tend to your current clients and help them achieve results, why are you searching for even more clients to fill the "empty" hours in the day? All this does is diminish your ability to deliver effective, professional, workouts to your clients.
Fitness professionals today are the prime example of being "spread too thin" in the workplace. They desire to fill their schedules and train as many sessions as they can in search of a better paycheck, then stress out when clients quit after no visible results and 6 months of training. Instead of spending time looking for clients, take care of those you already have! When you succeed in getting results for others, you succeed in proving why they chose to work with you in the first place. You create your own marketing team, sales force, and advocate from each client that is overcome with gratitude at your professionalism and work ethic in helping them reach their goal.
If you are a personal trainer, take these words to heart. If you are a client, or potential client, remember what to look for in a professional and hold them to that standard.
Thomas Ketter C.S.C.S., C.E.S., C.P.T.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Corrective Exercise Specialist
Certified Personal Trainer
www.TasteofHealthOnline.com