how to become a personal trainer

[GoalGetter]

You have to offer more training-wse than the next guy, or you will be replaced. The people who hire me as a trainer are very satisfied. We do functional movement screens, dynamic warm-up/static stretching, and I am on their diet daily.

Most trainers are, "Give me my client, I will whip something up on the spot, and they will be satisfied enough." I go in with the attitude that my clients are looking to replace me everyday so I bust my ass to please.

I have that attitude with the clients i like. the others... eh. I secretly wish sometimes they WOULD replace me!

 

[Trouble]

I posted, in response to Mudge's comment on nutrition (not being his job):

Quote: I tell you this from experience, you will never see much progress with clients if you don't spend a couple of extra sessions on diet - with nutrition guide (books they buy) in hand. For that, you need your certs.


Studen77 repied:
Well, I can honestly say that you'll see your clients remain fat, but they'll look even fatter due to the muscle growth under it. LOL maybe this guy was a dipsh*t, or just didn't wanna give away his diet *secrets*...I don't know..either stupidity or secretiveness..

Not sure how to take this reply. I am simply saying that I have books on healthy diet/nutrition that recommend to my clients, and then I sit down and explain the role diet in their training, and in the bigger picture, its significance in their health and well being.

I'm guessing I misunderstood your comment, Studen

 

[ponyboy]

That's what I always liked about this site - there are trainers who have the right attitude.

I've been a trainer now for 6 years and I'm currently studying part time so I can go to med school. There are a lot of really crappy trainers out there, but the 15% that actually know what they are doing are the ones who actually care about helping people and making sure that they are functional, injury free and can still achieve their goals along the way.

I'm at a gym with about 20 other trainers (big place) and I can confidently say that about 5 of us really know what we're talking about when it comes to the overall package - meaning how to assess properly, treat it like a business and not a part time job, have proper people skills and still have the knowledge to challenge people physically and make sure they aren't bored. Sales skills are a part of it, sure, but I believe that is a small part of the package.

Diet is a large part of it of course and I find that's the one part that clients rarely adhere to and the #1 reason why they don't get results as fast as they could. I'm a certified nutritionist and I'm shocked at the lack of knowledge out there and the fact that most trainers know f all about it. Or they believe every myth and garbage fact they have been told.

I could go on but like others said, being a good trainer is hard work and treat it like running your own business. It will pay off but it takes time and effort and a desire to learn.

 

[P-funk]

whoa, a blast from the past! hello ponyboy.

 

[tucker01]

whoa shit Ponyboy is back.

 

[ponyboy]

Haven't been around much for no real reason except I changed gyms six months ago and have been rebuilding clientele, plus school. Good to see there are still good people here.

 

[PWGriffin]

Diet is a large part of it of course and I find that's the one part that clients rarely adhere to and the #1 reason why they don't get results as fast as they could. I'm a certified nutritionist and I'm shocked at the lack of knowledge out there and the fact that most trainers know f all about it. Or they believe every myth and garbage fact they have been told.

.

This is the point I was trying to make, perhaps I need to try harder to word my posts better. It's very frustrating when I have a client who is so overweight there is no reason the weight shouldn't be MELTING off of her. She does weight watchers but has a hard time getting all her points because she doesn't eat enough. She, along with maybe one or two other clients here, have effectively FUCKED their metabolism. One day I had a chance to sit down with her and really talk to her about her diet...and the fact that she has to eat more often and get all her points in. I explained in simple detail the thermogenic value of foods and how important protein is for a number of reasons, and that if she doesn't eat more that her fat loss will come to a halt...she came back next week, said she'd been eating MORE and LOST more weight heh....That was one of the most satisfying moments I've had in my limited experience as a trainer. I think at this moment she realized I know what I'm talking about.

The other clients who I have that aren't losing weight, aren't eating enough and aren't eating often enough...that's the number one problem I've run into. And these people are professionals. They are very busy....one of my clients is doing rotations at a hospital and I don't know what to tell them.




On that note, Do you guys know of any REALLY good, EASY, quick snacks that these people could be munchin on through the busy parts of the day???

 

[ponyboy]

The other clients who I have that aren't losing weight, aren't eating enough and aren't eating often enough...that's the number one problem I've run into. And these people are professionals. They are very busy....one of my clients is doing rotations at a hospital and I don't know what to tell them.




On that note, Do you guys know of any REALLY good, EASY, quick snacks that these people could be munchin on through the busy parts of the day???

Yup - people more often than not don't eat enough to lose weight and when you tell them that they look at you like you're crazy.

Eating well requires proper preparation. For someone who is totally screwed for time like someone doing rotations they really have to take the time once a week and make meals ahead of time. I have a guy who only cooks on Sunday and everything goes in the fridge/freezer and he grabs it and goes every day during the week. Chicken, veggies, rice, all cooked in one shot. Not good for variety but it makes things quick and easy.

 

[studen77]

That's what I do..I have to admit I buy 'canned' veggies for their convenience- but I spend a lot of my Sunday with chicken breast and his buddy 'ground white turkey'

 

[DNABulking]

i was thinking in doin AFPA Certification and Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Certification do u think thats good to start my career as a trainer

 

[PWGriffin]

i was thinking in doin AFPA Certification and Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Certification do u think thats good to start my career as a trainer

NASM and NSCA certifications are great. I am getting my ISSA certification now, and I will keep it up since I've already gone through the trouble, but I am eventually going to get something a little more advanced. Knowledge is power!!





On a side note....I totally got a boner this mornin when I was stretching a client....He noticed, but didn't say anything....


J/K. It was totally a female...and some of those stretches were borderline inappropriate

 

[DNABulking]

so is that good for starting my career