Thread: Personal Trainers

Originally Posted by CowPimp

Sometimes it is impossible to get certain people results, I swear. They eat like shit, miss and/or are late to their sessions all the time, and don't supplement their training sessions with me with anything else. The people I see 3 times a week get good results, the others are marginal and usually it's more related to how they feel (Like if they have lower back problems, shoulder problems, lack of energy, etc. that will improve). It seems to me like the 1-2 timers each week just generally don't have as much motivation, and this makes them feel like they're doing something, even though they know they should be doing more.

I have to agree here. The clients I've had who show up at least 3 times a week generally get to their desired results. They are dedicated enough to show up 3 times for an hour, that means they are most likely not blowing a bunch of money, and are seeing it as an investment. They take better care of their diet and what they do on their other non-trainer days. They are usually my favorite clients (except this one guy who was 3x's a week in NYC who was a disaster and i think he had a trainer just to say he had one).

The 1-2 times a week folks either can't afford multiple sessions/week, or have the money but don't see the "value" initially in having a trainer so they just want to get a taste. OR they start out with the best of intentions to workout with me once a week, learn how to work out and come in another few times a week on their own. Some do, most don't. If I take that one time per week that I have them and show them the value of having a trainer - addressing their individual issues, teaching them proper form on exercises they *thought* they were doing correctly, talking to them about nutrition and exercise and lifestyle and habits and offering up tidbits of useful and helpful information during that one hour they're with me... Those folks tend to buy a new package and increase their training sessions to 2-3 times a week.

Some start out kinda "blah" on the whole trainer thing, and in a few sessions realize they need to step it up. They get a taste of the benefits, and get all fired up. They adjust accordingly and add more sessions, make more changes.

Some start out "gung-ho" and talk about how awesome they're going to be and how dedicated they are and how they want their results badly, they're going to start one once a week, and will maybe go to 2-3 times a week after this package is through. After two or three 1x/week sessions, they don't get the magical, fast (unrealistic) results they were expecting, and realize they need to to actually show up and work out and eat right. They decide it's just too hard and would rather stick to their old habits. That's when the excuses come flying out because of course, it's not their fault - it's thier boss, the kids, the dog, the weather, terrorists, the alarm clock. Those people suck. Sadly that is a large portion of general-population clients.

For THOSE people, if i can motivate them to make even ONE positive permanent change in their life, I feel like I did my job with them, whether they realize it or not.

When my shit is in order, not just mine BTW , I will not see a single client any less than 3 times a week and for 8 weeks at a time.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

When my shit is in order, not just mine BTW , I will not see a single client any less than 3 times a week and for 8 weeks at a time.

when the shit is in order I would like to see the client about 5-6x's a week, counting short (30min) stretching/flexibility sessions on days in between training bouts.

Originally Posted by GoalGetter

For THOSE people, if i can motivate them to make even ONE positive permanent change in their life, I feel like I did my job with them, whether they realize it or not.

You're right, sometimes a little change is the best you can do with certain people. I understand that motivation is part of a personal trainer's job, but I still feel they need at least a little intrinsic motivation or they're not going to get anywhere.

Sometimes results are not visible on the outside either. I love to hear when people's back problems are diminishing. When I foam roll someone's rough spots a few times and they all of the sudden feel like they are moving more freely. When someone can now balance better on a leg they had surgery on. When their shoulder impingment seems to be less of a problem. Someone's cholesterol and blood pressure levels come one step closer to normal. All of these things are great, and sometimes I like to hear that stuff more than simply body composition changes.

all reasons mentioned above are why I hate working with the general population.

I have 2 clients currently, out of the batch of poeple that I inherited from the trainer that left, that I actually like to train. They don't want to BS, they want to come in, do what I say and leave. the others all need some from of entertainment or babysitting. It drives me crazy.

Originally Posted by P-funk

all reasons mentioned above are why I hate working with the general population.

I have 2 clients currently, out of the batch of poeple that I inherited from the trainer that left, that I actually like to train. They don't want to BS, they want to come in, do what I say and leave. the others all need some from of entertainment or babysitting. It drives me crazy.

You just have to whip them into shape. They will come around. Use the force P.

I feel sorry for you guys that the majority of clients you get are THOSE kind of people. Do you ever get people like us who work hard day in and day out over the years? Do you ever get people who look amazing and have a lot of knowledge about their training and diet but are just stuck in a rut and need a little help?

The reason i ask is because if i had the money (or maybe in the future when i am working full time) i wouldn't mind paying advanced trainers like you guys and work on a few things. It would be easier to chart my progress, motivation would go up (not that i dont have motivation but it would boost) and having a spotter during lifts that i cannot go heavy on alone is essential.

Originally Posted by shiznit2169

I feel sorry for you guys that the majority of clients you get are THOSE kind of people. Do you ever get people like us who work hard day in and day out over the years? Do you ever get people who look amazing and have a lot of knowledge about their training and diet but are just stuck in a rut and need a little help?

The reason i ask is because if i had the money (or maybe in the future when i am working full time) i wouldn't mind paying advanced trainers like you guys and work on a few things. It would be easier to chart my progress, motivation would go up (not that i dont have motivation but it would boost) and having a spotter during lifts that i cannot go heavy on alone is essential.

occasionally.

Originally Posted by shiznit2169

I feel sorry for you guys that the majority of clients you get are THOSE kind of people. Do you ever get people like us who work hard day in and day out over the years? Do you ever get people who look amazing and have a lot of knowledge about their training and diet but are just stuck in a rut and need a little help?

The reason i ask is because if i had the money (or maybe in the future when i am working full time) i wouldn't mind paying advanced trainers like you guys and work on a few things. It would be easier to chart my progress, motivation would go up (not that i dont have motivation but it would boost) and having a spotter during lifts that i cannot go heavy on alone is essential.

I had one client like that, but he was such a whiney bitch it was ridiculous. I don't even want to go into it. Suffice to say that he just wanted a trainer to look cool and have someone yell at him when approaching failure.

I think most people that are at your level know a thing or two about training, or at least think they do, and don't feel like hiring a trainer would be as valuable for them. In a lot of cases they are probably right. I don't mind working with people who are weak, fat, have developed poor movement patterns, have orthopedic issues, or whatever. If you work hard and stay consistent, then you're okay in my book.

Most of my clients are really good, they get really overwhelmed quickly, but I can keep them in check for teh most part. I train people in their homesmostly, though. Training at a chain gym sucks balls, though.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Most of my clients are really good, they get really overwhelmed quickly, but I can keep them in check for teh most part. I train people in their homesmostly, though. Training at a chain gym sucks balls, though.

I might be changing jobs and going over to a gold's nearby. The pay is ALOT better then where I'm at and I'll be able to train at a decent facility for a change. They're building a new one over here too, with an indoor sprint track and swimming pool etc....gonna be badass.