Five Ways to Spot a Lousy Personal Trainer

I believe that having point No. 3 about supplements in this article is highly misleading and unfair. To basically state "if your Trainer recommends you take a multivitamin you should walk away and find another Trainer" is totally unreasonable. It is a well known fact that anyone can benefit from taking a natural multivitamin, even JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) has revised its longstanding position and declared that doctors should now recommend that all patients, even healthy ones, routinely take vitamin & mineral supplements (JAMA, 2002;287:3127-9). I have run my own very successful Personal Training business for over 4.5 years and routinely recommend supplements to my clients when I feel they would benefit from them. I will be continuing to recommend supplements to my clients to help them to achieve optimal health and well-being and if any client walks away after I have done so as a result of reading this article then it is their loss not mine!

That's funny, I typed in 165 for my years of experience...it should be 16...maybe if I did have a 165 years experience I could go on Oprah as an Anti-Aging Specialist!

I think this article will make some people think about some things to consider when hiring a trainer, and that is a good thing. A lot of people hire trainers because the trainers look fit and athletic. being in shape doesn't mean you can help someone else get in shape. I say this as a trainer with 165 years experience who has been published in 2 books, featured in over thirty newspaper articles, and numerous radio interviews. A proper orientation, assessment and an understanding of individual client goals helps to develop a program appropriate for the client, not just "good" for the client. Individual recovery ability, tolerance for work, adherance, time management; all of these factors are necessary to develop a productive program. helping clients progress at a relaistic pace, and educating them on how to get to their goals has worked for my clients since I first got into training. Over 50 of my clients have moved on to become certified (some of them are now competing with us, but at least we can recommend them to prosective clients) through varying certifying bodies like ACE, ACSM, ISSA, etc. They didn't want a drill sergeant, a coddler, a "buddy", or a babysitter: they wanted to learn. When a client is ready to be on their own, we encourage it; some of our clients have been with us for years, some become trainers, some just want new information; we always prefer an informed and educated client, and we do our best to be help them make informed decisions. This article is a good start.

I found my trainer through my local gym. All the trainers that are employeed by this gym are certified through this company called ISSA International Sports Sciences Association. After many long talks with my PT, I have began to have interest in becoming a PT and helping out my friends and family. After I contacted them, I found they had many other courses I could do. Since I'm a bit over weight, hence why I need a PT in the first place, I found that they have a nutrition course I'm also going to take. I'm not made of money and like the saying goes, when you need something ask.. well I did. They put me on a payment plan. I love that.. Now I'm on my way to be a great help to others

Being a personal trainer for nearly twelve years now I can say your comments on "cling factor" is way of the mark. If a client wants to workout for a proscribed period (learning curve) then I am happy to oblige them. However, the vast majority of my clients (95% and up) want structure, coaching and motivation. Also, a good trainer will endeavor to keep the workouts fresh and avoid homeostasis (hitting plateaus). Have you ever trained?

How about if he's a big fat ***?

I think this article is helpful to those looking to hire a trainer. 1. I think for the unknowing client, understanding that some certifications are more reputable than others is important, and this article pin-points top certifications. 2. I agree with the point about clinging to your clients. Yes, some people may want a trainer more long term for specific reasons, but after 4-5 months the client should have gained the knowledge and abilities to continue their workout without constant guidance. Also, they should have seen results by now (maybe not their long term goals - but reasonable goals within the time frame). If you can create a program that increases the client's knowledge, understanding, excitement for workingout, and committment to the service you are providing you will be successful. If you don't do these things you are bound to have a client that doesn't see results - may stay with you for longer - but then how are you doing your job as a trainer? 3. As a dietetic major I completely agree. I hear so many people in the fitness industry pushing supplements on their clients and they buy into it, but eating whole foods and taking a general multi-vitamin should cover the average client's needs. 4. Some clients may want a hard workout - but that is for them to express to their trainier. Sometimes I think these clients ask for this because they think it will give them faster results - but then they burnout. Its better to make the workout tailored to their interests and comfort level. This is so important because after 4-5 months you want them to be comfortable to be able to put themselves through their own workout. 5. As a trainer I have created a niche for certain clients. I know who I can help the best, who I will be able to relate to, and not have a personality conflict with. Clients should feel comfortable with their trainers as well as the trainer should feel comfortable training that client.

I was so happy to read this article. I hope people read this and use this article so they can get the most benefit from their trainer. Sure there are more topics that could have been touched upon in this article, but it is short and sweet. Most people don't want to read a 5 page article on something.

This article was not specific at all to the elements and components of targeting a proper trainer for YOU. It almost seemed like a "speed article" that was created ten minutes prior to press time. Next time, you could incorporate things like: if their training methods are the same for everyone, if they don't inform you on proper form throughout the session, if they only utilize nautilus equipment, etc. You should also note that if they are employed by the fitness facility then it is probable that they are insured by such facility AND that there are dozens of other top certifications as long as the certification is certified by the NCCA.
If you're writing in the health division for a magazine, be sure to put in time and effort., because just like a personal trainer, people rely on this source.

It is possible to be with a trainer for a long time and benefit from their experience depending upon your goals and their level of experience. For example, if you are competitive in a sport and want to keep upping the ante, an experienced trainer can create progressive training plans to do just that. Of course you need to be able to train on your own, but input into that training can be valuable. Training is cyclic, composed of micro, meso and macrocycles. Just because you know how to use a machine doesn't mean you don't need a trainer.

I don't want a trainer to 'push' anything, but nixing a trainer based on dietary discipline is a great way to set yourself up for failure.

If a trainer is taking responsibility for getting a client in better shape, neglecting that client's diet is clearly a bad idea.

I believ that there should be an interview before the first exercise is even started, the interview process conducted by a "real" trainer defines a few things. First, if you are compatible, if "it" does not click, you both will be simply spinning wheels. Second, defining goals and expectations, both the clients as well as the trainers. Third, policies( IE: cancellation, rescheduling), meeting times, etc. I often speak to my clients while they workout, the "talk" method of monitoring exertion level is a great tool, IMO right on top with a heart monitor, which can be thrown off by medications.

Mr. Clean. NSCA-CPT, CPTS

You skipped one: The Chatty Kathy. A good personal trainer should be teaching you to achieve maximum results in a minimum of time. If they routinely attempt to carry on a conversation with you during your reps, they clearly aren't concerned about how effective your workout is.

I agree with your five warning signs. After working-out regularly for 25+ years, I've seen a lot of what you've described. Also, I would add:
-- The Buddy: This is the trainer who spends your entire workout in conversation with you. It may be about the details of his/her own experiences since you last met, or it may be about yours; in either case, the trainer is just accompanying you through your workout, not actively training you at all. While being on friendly terms with the trainer is a good thing, if you're paying someone just to be your pal, you don't need a trainer, you need a life.
-- Conflicting Goals. You want to tone up, but your trainer wants you to bulk-up. You're interested in committing to a regular maintenance program, while your trainer pressures you to work out six days a week. Or the opposite could be true: you're looking for someone to push you to the next level, and your trainer comes up with a unimaginative and unchallenging 2-day a week routine that doesn't even cause you to break a sweat.
-- Inattentive. Your trainer's full attention should be on YOU during your entire workout. They must watch each repetition you do, all the time. They should have a good knowledge of physiology and body mechanics, and they should help you to understand (to the extent you need to know) how each exercise you do is helping you work toward your goal. And they should make sure that your form is perfect so that you get the most out of each repeition and avoid injury. That's what you're paying for. If they set you up on a machine, tell you to do 3 sets of 10 reps, and only come back when you're done, what good are they? You could do that yourself. The same goes for if they're chatting with others when they should be working with you. You are their client and this is their business. If they're not doing their job, you shouldn't be paying them.