Health & Fitness
Dear Community,

Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.

If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.

Thank you.

Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.

What do you want..

Hi Ladies,

I am studying to take my Certification Test to be a personal trainer and I wanted to hear from you on what could make your trainers better. 

 Thanks!

Re: What do you want..

  • Listen to your clients' wants and needs. I got a few free sessions at the gym I won a membership to, and no matter how many times I tell him that I run 3x/week and that I'm not willing to cut back on that, he keeps saying that it's too much running. I told him flat-out that my goals were just to maintain what I've already done and to continue running marathons, and he's just not listening. I had to do the session as part of my gym orientation, but once that's over, I'm done.
    Charlie 8.06.08
    Baby GIRL EDD 5.21.13

    My Blog | My Chart

    image

    AlternaTickers - Cool, free Web tickers

    2012 Races Heart Half Marathon 3.18.2012 - 1:51:01 (PR)
    Flying Pig Marathon 5.6.12 - 3:50:28 (PR)
    Leadville Trail Marathon 6.30.12 - 7:32:23 (not a typo)
    Esri 5K 7.25.12 - 21:57 (PR)
  • I am a trainer and instructor and the most important thing is a connection with that person.  They have to trust you and respect you, as you do them in return.

     

  • Really learn anatomy and what muscles do.  I've found that I have a more thorough understanding of anatomy from most trainers I've met and it's annoying to have to correct them b/c they are focusing on the wrong thing
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • DH just switched trainers because he felt he wasn't being listened to. His first trainer had a clear idea of what a full body workout schedule for the week should be and what guys should do to build muscle. Problem was DH has very specific goals as it relates to various sports he plays and his trainer was insisting on giving him the exact same workout as a client simply looking to bulk up (vs. build quickness, reflexes, etc.)

    His new trainer was a college athlete and customizes his workouts around DH's specific goals (vertical, etc.).

    Like pp said, a lot of it is the relationship. What I liked was when a trainer had me do something interesting or fun. Squats, curls, etc. have their place and if that's the best exercise for me then whatever, I'll do it. But I loved a trainer who could mix it up and keep me semi-interested. Also - really explaining WHY certain form was necessary, WHAT exactly that exercise was doing to certain muscle groups, etc.

    Also, I really like a very hands on person. Of course I'm sure there's some protocol for finding out the clients comfort level with being touched, but I personally prefer someone who'll get in there and assist where needed.

  • I don't want you to hassle me as far as selling me more sessions.  If I like you, I clearly know how to hire you.  If I don't like you, don't guilt or push me into it because that will just make me hate you more.  Also, don't approach me while I'm on the treadmill and/or working out on my own in the weight room to try to sell me PT sessions.
    image
    two years!
    after two losses, now happily expecting baby #1 09.16.12
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Brie Fit Blog | BFP Chart
  • imageBrie2010:
    I don't want you to hassle me as far as selling me more sessions.  If I like you, I clearly know how to hire you.  If I don't like you, don't guilt or push me into it because that will just make me hate you more.  Also, don't approach me while I'm on the treadmill and/or working out on my own in the weight room to try to sell me PT sessions.

    Yep...all of this.

  • I would second paying attention to the client's wants and needs and throw in that you should know, approximately, or be willing to research, the different muscle groups used in each type of sport - and provide a plan that will actually increase function for me (or whatever client you're working with).

    For example, I'm an open water swimmer.  That means I need excellent muscle and cardio endurance, not much explosiveness, and lots of upper body strength and flexibiilty.  So, I have different needs than even a swimmer who swims short distances at a sprint (same as the difference between a marathoner and a sprinter).

    image
  • imageOSULori:

    imageBrie2010:
    I don't want you to hassle me as far as selling me more sessions.  If I like you, I clearly know how to hire you.  If I don't like you, don't guilt or push me into it because that will just make me hate you more.  Also, don't approach me while I'm on the treadmill and/or working out on my own in the weight room to try to sell me PT sessions.

    Yep...all of this.

    Agreed. Stop pushing me on taking supplements or to follow this or that diet. I am there for you to train me on exercises, not food. If I need help on that, I will see a Registered Dietician.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Awesome, thanks ladies! I really appreciate your help.
  • ~NB~~NB~ member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker

    Don't make light of my struggles.

    I stopped seeing a trainer because after one bad weigh in, she took a very condescending and accusatory tone with me, when I offered that it might just be water weight. Her position was that that simply was NOT possible... started asking me what I was eating. Obviously she did not believe me and essentially called me a liar. It was so demoralizing I never went back.

    I would respond positively to a trainer who had once been obese, had yo-yoed, but who had ultimately succeeded in maintaining a healthy weight. I know you can't wave a wand and recreate your past; but I would just really like it if I met a fitness trainer who understood what it's like trying to maintain a 100+ lb loss.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards