Personal Trainers

[PWGriffin]

Ok, so I'm a personal trainer at a private studio. The boss hires another trainer today and I'm pretty stoked cuz I think maybe this guy might know something I don't, maybe he's the real deal...just MAYBE we can carry on an intelligent conversation regarding resistance training.



Nope, not happenin. Dude is completely clueless.

He cracks open my dusty copy of "The encyclopedia of modern bodybuilding". I catch myself mentioning that the book is kinda outdated and has some misinformation in it. I glance over his shoulder to see a wonderful example, in which the book illustrates that a wider grip on the bench press works the "outer" pecs, and a closer grip works the "inner" pecs. I proceed to drop a little knowledge about how the muscle fibers in the pecs run longitudinally and that there is only a sternal and clavicular head and that there is virtually no evidence I'm aware of that one can isolate "regions" of a muscle...I go on to say that I wish I COULD work my inner chest more because I would like to have a more "filled in" look to my pecs....



He then proceeds to give me wonderful advice on how to really work those inner pecs.





My question is just how FUCKING easy is it to get some of these certifications?? Has anyone seen various curriculums for some of these cheaper, crappier certs? Are there some certs you literally just pay for up front and get ur piece of paper in the mail a week later??

 

[P-funk]

it is very easy to get a cert.

Most trainers are fucking retards.

 

[Pipboy]

Woman trainer in my gym is very close to obese. I had an exchange of words with her today when she threw a guest pass at my giflfriend and screamed that we couldn't use it today. Had to get the manager for that one. Now things are going to be awkward working out. -_-

 

[911=InsideJob]

Problably had a hook up or payed someone off.

 

[GFR]

it is very easy to get a cert.

Most trainers are fucking retards.

99.4736%

 

[Mudge]

What cert does he have? NASM covers pretty specifically the different 'types' of muscles, bipenniform etc

 

[PWGriffin]

What cert does he have? NASM covers pretty specifically the different 'types' of muscles, bipenniform etc

That's why I ask. I AM a personal trainer too!!! I'm goin for my ISSA cert right now and it's VERY detailed to say the least!! So it just baffles me how I've met so many trainers who are completely clueless. I know more than most of these guys around here by my perusing damned internet forums.

 

[P-funk]

I think the ISSA is pretty shitty IMO.

The three with the most science behind them are:

NSCA
NASM
ACSM


after those, I pretty much wouldn't look to get anything else.

 

[PWGriffin]

I think the ISSA is pretty shitty IMO.

The three with the most science behind them are:

NSCA
NASM
ACSM


after those, I pretty much wouldn't look to get anything else.

Pretty shitty? That's a little harsh. Have you looked over the study materials? I think it's a good start...but I'm not stopping there, I'm going back to school next year.

Of the certifications you mentioin, do you need a bachelor's before you can get them?

 

[P-funk]

Pretty shitty? That's a little harsh. Have you looked over the study materials? I think it's a good start...but I'm not stopping there, I'm going back to school next year.

Of the certifications you mentioin, do you need a bachelor's before you can get them?

I think most certs suck ass.

You don't need a degree for NASM-CPT or NSCA-CPT but you DO need a degree for all their other certs.

In the end it doesn't matter what certification you have. It is a silly piece of paper that means jack shit. I have seen people with NSCA certs that are terrible trainers. All that matters is the knowledge you bring to the table and how you can apply it to real situations with real people and get results. Anyone can read a book and take a test. Anyone can read and have good knowledge on paper and be able to come onto a forum and "wow" you with their knowledge. But, very few can take that knowledge and apply it and make it work with real people.

 

[Arnold]

experience is key, you can have all of the book knowledge and pass tests, but being able to apply it to yourself and others in the real world is completely different.

 

[P-funk]

experience is key, you can have all of the book knowledge and pass tests, but being able to apply it to yourself and others in the real world is completely different.

bingo

 

[Doublebase]

The trainers at Bally's where I work out are so out of shape. They all just stand around together and bs. There is 1 guy there that is impressive. I wonder how much they get paid?

 

[Arnold]

I went through the ISSA certification.

The book, video and 2 day seminar are excellent, and I was lucky enough to get Tom Platz as my instructor. However, going through that certification does not qualify someone to be a PT.

When I was a PT at Ballys we worked on commission only and we could charge what we wanted, but had to split it 60/40 with the club. I used to charge $40 per hour, so I would make around $24 an hour (this was about 15 years ago).

 

[PWGriffin]

experience is key, you can have all of the book knowledge and pass tests, but being able to apply it to yourself and others in the real world is completely different.

I'm glad I got into the business at such a young age..(I'm only 22) I plan on getting back in school and studying hard and keep training myself and others...hopefully when I finish all the schooling I'm going to get I will have the knowledge AND the experience.

On a side note

All our clients are down in weight, some over 20 pounds. (fat loss was their primary goal.) The friend of mine that I train with is up 10lbs and his strength (mine as well) has gone up tremendously.

I love this shit.

 

[P-funk]

I went through the ISSA certification.

The book, video and 2 day seminar are excellent, and I was lucky enough to get Tom Platz as my instructor. However, going through that certification does not qualify someone to be a PT.

When I was a PT at Ballys we worked on commission only and we could charge what we wanted, but had to split it 60/40 with the club. I used to charge $40 per hour, so I would make around $24 an hour (this was about 15 years ago).

yea, that sounds about right ($24).

 

[viet_jon]

shit, 24 bones an hour? where do I sign up? any of ou guys from canada, u know how pt's make up here?

 

[viet_jon]

lol, the pt's at my gym are clueless as fuck. They're all skinny and lift girly ass weights. One girl that I talked to, suggested that I do 1 bodypart per day split, which I've learned is an absolute NONO from this board.

 

[P-funk]

shit, 24 bones an hour? where do I sign up? any of ou guys from canada, u know how pt's make up here?

it isn't as glamerous as you think:

1) building a business takes long
2) maintaining a business
3) you only get paid when people show up. no people. no money. people get sick, get hurt, go on vacations, run out of money etc..
4) no benefits. everything is pretty much on you.

 

[viet_jon]

it isn't as glamerous as you think:

1) building a business takes long
2) maintaining a business
3) you only get paid when people show up. no people. no money. people get sick, get hurt, go on vacations, run out of money etc..
4) no benefits. everything is pretty much on you.

I'm serious about it though. I can't get enough of knowledge related to weight training. I swear, I think about the shit all day, and have dreams about it.

My gym charges 60 bux an hour, a 60/40 split would be nice.

 

[viet_jon]

what do you mean building a busyness, don't u work for a gym?

 

[Arnold]

what do you mean building a busyness, don't u work for a gym?

that does not help much in regards to getting clients, as a PT you're also a salesman!

 

[viet_jon]

that does not help much in regards to getting clients, as a PT you're also a salesman!

at my gym, there's a seperate office with a saleguy in there that try's to get people to sign up for 60 bux an hour. He's in a suit, throws his pitch and all that fancy shit he learned in college. The pt's just get assigned to the clients that sign up. And they go to the gym floor and do their thing.

isn't this how it works?

 

[P-funk]

what do you mean building a busyness, don't u work for a gym?

liek Rob said....you are a salesman for yourself. even if you work at a chain gym, you are expected to go out and get clients and do floor time, etc....No one just gives you clients.

Working for a chain gym presents more problems, like they take a big cut of your money.

So then you go out and find a studio to train people and work for yourself (which is what I do) and while life is a little harder that way, you have to work more, you have to build up a base, etc.....you get to (a) train who you want and (b) make a larger cut of the money. It is just getting everything started and built up and staying on top of it that is tough.

trust me. it is not as easy as it seems. But, if you are good....the product sells itself. So, also factor into all the business stuff and training the clients the time that you need to spend reading, studying and educating yourself on things to stay on top of the latest research and educating yourself on special population clients. Unless you go the route of ONLY taking a specific group of people (like athletes.....like I am trying to do....again, takes time to build it up to just that) you are going to have to take general population clients. Most of these people don't walk into the gym in a fit condition or able to do anything! Most of them are deconditioned, have injuries, have movement impairments, have lower back pain. Then you get some that are sick...I have trained people with Multiple Sclerosis, Aids, etc....Then you get people who need re-hab. What do you know about that?

there is a lot more to it then that $24/hr.

 

[P-funk]

at my gym, there's a seperate office with a saleguy in there that try's to get people to sign up for 60 bux an hour. He's in a suit, throws his pitch and all that fancy shit he learned in college. The pt's just get assigned to the clients that sign up. And they go to the gym floor and do their thing.

isn't this how it works?

you still got to sell yourself to that person to make them want to come back after their package is up.

you are still the salesman.

 

[PWGriffin]

you still got to sell yourself to that person to make them want to come back after their package is up.

you are still the salesman.

P....How do you find time to moderate this forum so well and run your business? Do you train all your clients yourself or do you have trainers?















will you train me?? I'll pay you 24 dollars an hour!!!

 

[P-funk]

P....How do you find time to moderate this forum so well and run your business? Do you train all your clients yourself or do you have trainers?















will you train me?? I'll pay you 24 dollars an hour!!!

I train all my clients. I don't have trainers, yet.....at least not until Dale and I take over the world...RAWR!

I usually have my clients bunched together as much as I can. Right now I just moved across the country and I am trying to start up my business again so I am only working at night at the moment, which gives me all day. I also am working on a masters in exercise science so I spend a good dead of time on the computer reading, researching, typing etc..


yes, I will train you for $24/hr. But you have to pay for my plane ticket to Alabama.

 

[PWGriffin]

I train all my clients. I don't have trainers, yet.....at least not until Dale and I take over the world...RAWR!

I usually have my clients bunched together as much as I can. Right now I just moved across the country and I am trying to start up my business again so I am only working at night at the moment, which gives me all day. I also am working on a masters in exercise science so I spend a good dead of time on the computer reading, researching, typing etc..


yes, I will train you for $24/hr. But you have to pay for my plane ticket to Alabama.

I wanna take over the world too....I just need a better certification right??



I just saw the masters in exercise science!! After I finish my bachelors I am definitely looking into graduate school...obviously you think a masters in exercise science is the way to go? What is your bachelor's in?? I was thinking kinesiology but what the fuck do I know right...

 

[P-funk]

I wanna take over the world too....I just need a better certification right??



I just saw the masters in exercise science!! After I finish my bachelors I am definitely looking into graduate school...obviously you think a masters in exercise science is the way to go? What is your bachelor's in?? I was thinking kinesiology but what the fuck do I know right...

I didn't say that!

I said that no matter what cert have it is all bull shit. what is important is what you know and how you can apply it.

 

[PWGriffin]

I didn't say that!

I said that no matter what cert have it is all bull shit. what is important is what you know and how you can apply it.

I was kidding.

All joking aside, it has become a lifetime goal of mine to acquire all the knowledge I can so that I can one day work with/for/close to someone such as yourself, someone I could train with and in essence, be trained by an elite fitness coach. It would be a dream come true.