Essentials for an Excellent Trainer
In my years of training, my clients have taught me why they stay with me. They say things like, “You know what I can and cannot do.”, “You know how to push me!”, “You know my limitations and what I need to do.” I have had clients for brief periods where we set a specific goal, worked toward the goal and then parted ways because the goal was met. But the women who have stayed with me for years do so because we know each other, and they trust I will get them where they need to go.
What makes finding an excellent trainer tricky is that you want someone who knows what they’re doing AND one that you have good chemistry with. That’s tough to figure out when you don’t know much about them, how to approach them or who is who if they are on a list of trainers at a facility. To complicate matters more, the rate you pay, may not be indicative of what you get.
One of the downsides to my profession is that the bar is set very low for someone to become a trainer. Any interested party can attend a weekend course and get the credentials CPT (certified personal trainer) behind their name. They can return to their gym, fired up to help new clients or start their career as a trainer with little experience and a baseline of knowledge.
I know, because I was one of them.
Fifteen years ago, my boss at the time encouraged me to become a personal trainer so I could get paid a little more for my pilates class clients who wanted one-on-one pilates sessions. I thought it was a great idea. I studied, went away for the weekend and returned with certificate in hand, eager to help my class members get the personalized attention I thought they wanted.
Ironically, I never got a single pilates personal training client. What I did get were ladies who wanted to firm up, lose some weight and be held accountable to showing up. And I had to learn how to do that.
My certificate taught me about the body, different exercises for different parts, how to put together a workout routine. But it taught me nothing about human behavior, how to fight the emotional and mental battles of self esteem and worth, decision making processes or when to press and when to back-off.
However, beyond knowing the right exercises, these are the things that make the difference between your experience as a client being wonderful or just lack luster. And so, as you consider which trainer to use for your own fitness goals, I encourage you to learn these things:
First, you need to have an initial conversation with them. Before you commit to the sessions, you need to determine a few things and save yourself possible regret and money. If you are purchasing personal training sessions at a facility that has several trainers, ask to talk with their suggested trainer first. When you talk with them, look to determine these things:
Their Focus: Is it on you or them? You can most likely determine this in the first conversation. You can tell when you speak with someone whether they are concerned with just themselves or if they are listening to you and focused on what you are saying. If they talk about themselves a lot, keep looking at their watch or phone, or just ignore what you’re saying, they are showing you what they will act like during your sessions. Excellent trainers and coaches will dedicate your time together focused on you.
Their knowledge: Not just how to do exercises and be able to demonstrate how to do certain movements, but their knowledge in how to help you get to your goal. Have they worked with clients like you? How much experience do they have in what you are working to accomplish? An experienced coach will have a history of helping others reach the same goal as yours.
(On the flip side, if they haven’t worked with anyone to achieve the goal you are setting, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Trainers need to grow too, but know that the path might be a little longer and a little bumpier. If this is the case, you might be able to get a discount. I know I offered free sessions when I got started so I could test whether the method we used was successful.)
Second, ask them for a trial session. During this time you can look for the following:
Their attitude: this just a job for them or are they really passionate about helping people? This will undergird all of your subsequent sessions and you will feel either invalidated or invigorated based on what they emulate. Excellent coaches will build you up, look to challenge you in a positive way and are in it for the long haul.
Their professionalism:Are they prepared for your session and show up on time? Do they have a plan? Do they maintain a professional dialogue or become too familiar? An experienced coach will know how to communicate well with you and will know your communication style without wasting your session talking about other things. They will focus the majority of time moving you forward: discussing form, format, strategy and encouragement.
Additionally, all good trainers are willing to be hated at times. They will hold their ground when they know it’s in your best interest. They will reach out to you to hold you accountable and aren’t afraid to step on your toes and get in your head if that’s what you need.
If in 2018 you are looking for a trainer, I suggest you take the time to find someone who has the confidence, character, and focus on you to take you to where you need to be. If you can find that, your money will be well spent and you won’t be disappointed.
Next time I’ll share some ways on how to afford a personal trainer. It may be easier than you think!
In the meantime, keep moving,
Priscilla
Note: As a fitness coach, it is my highest priority to keep my clients motivated and on track despite obstacles, distractions and just human nature. I work hard to determine what motivates each client and how much grace and truth they need to move forward. We all need a supportive environment to maintain healthy lifestyle and habits. If you are searching for that kind of environment, check out what we do here at CrossFit 1088: Hosted by Blue Wave Fit, where our mission is to bring CrossFit to All Ages.
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