Lots of folks understand the benefits of working with a personal trainer, and are willing to pay top dollar to do so. People want a qualified professional to guide them through exercises, program design, proper nutrition, injury prevention, and a whole lot more. But my question is: Does your trainer walk the talk? By that I mean, does your trainer lead by example? Does your trainer LOOK fit and healthy? Does your trainer abide by the same rules, laws, suggestions, and recommendations that he/she gives to you?
The longer I am in the fitness industry surrounded by other fitness professionals, the more I realize that a fitness certification does not a trainer make. It goes without saying that all fitness professionals should be certified by a national accrediting institution, but there is SO much more that goes into being a great trainer. It seems that there are trainers all over the place who practice one thing and preach another. As a fitness professional who takes great pride in the service I provide, it is insulting to me. It is also worrisome, flag-raising and alarming.
If you are paying top dollar for a professional’s time, you should get their utmost professionalism and expertise. You should know and trust that their word is backed up by their action. This isn’t always the case. Here are some qualities that I believe make someone a GREAT trainer….someone who truly does “walk the talk”. Does your trainer possess all of these traits? Any of them? Does your trainer “walk the talk”?
QUALITIES OF A GREAT PERSONAL TRAINER1. Your trainer looks fit- Your trainer is a professional that is paid to show you how to get fit and in shape. If this person can not even heed his/her own advice, why should he/she expect you to? If your trainer truly believes in the fitness methods he/she teaches, it will show in his/her physical fitness level.
2. Your trainer eats well- If you see your trainer having a meal in between clients or grabbing a quick snack, you should NOT consistently see pizza, nachos, McDonald’s, Chinese food or any other greasy, unhealthy selection. Your trainer asks you to practice good health by fueling your body with nutrient-dense, healthy, real, whole foods…He/She should do the same. Depending on the goals and the size of your trainer, he/she may require a LOT of fuel (food) but this should all be top quality. A need for 5,000 calories per day should never be a license to eat CRAP!!
3, Your trainer provides PERSONAL training - If you have a history of asthma, a bad knee, a heart condition or any other consideration that deserves attention, you should not see your trainer putting a healthy college athlete through the same program he/she puts you through. Personal training should be just that: personal. It should take into account clients’ goals, medical history, injuries, preferences and abilities. A trainer may build the base of each client’s programs from the same source, but should individualize the final program design with each client’s needs in mind.
4. Your trainer asks for feedback - This is especially important at the start of training, as well as when a program is being increased in difficulty. A good trainer will ask for feedback both on the spot, as well as after your session has been completed. While calling/emailing/texting is not a requirement of a trainer’s job, a good trainer will know when to check in to let you know that he/she is committed to your fitness.
5. Your trainer is punctual and reliable - Meeting with a trainer consistently is KEY to meeting goals. Your trainer should set up a schedule that works for both of you, and then stick to it! Your trainer expects you to hold up your end of the bargain, and he/she should do the same. If your trainer is consistently absent or unreliable, it makes it very hard for you to meet your goals.
6. Your trainer stays current on Continuing Education - This one may not be so obvious to the client, but is not difficult to find out. A great trainer will stay current with fitness trends, research, data and education by reading journals, watching webinars and attending conferences. The fitness industry is constantly evolving and you want to be sure that your trainer is evolving with it. You deserve to be trained with the methods, equipment and programs that have been proven to deliver the BEST results possible. One surefire way for your trainer to understand how to do this is by continuing education.
There are lots of other traits/qualities that constitute a great trainer, but that’s a start. Bottom line here is that when searching for a personal trainer, you want to be sure that you find someone who practices what he/she preaches. You want to find a trainer who truly believes in what he/she does, and shows you by living it every day. If you are looking for a trainer that will push you to the next level while taking your needs into consideration,contact Lucky13Fitness today. At Lucky13Fitness you will not only have a trainer, you will have a motivator, an educational resource, a support, a cheerleader, and a mentor. Lucky13Fitness is committed to Walking the Talk and helping you become your BEST self!
The longer I am in the fitness industry surrounded by other fitness professionals, the more I realize that a fitness certification does not a trainer make. It goes without saying that all fitness professionals should be certified by a national accrediting institution, but there is SO much more that goes into being a great trainer. It seems that there are trainers all over the place who practice one thing and preach another. As a fitness professional who takes great pride in the service I provide, it is insulting to me. It is also worrisome, flag-raising and alarming.
If you are paying top dollar for a professional’s time, you should get their utmost professionalism and expertise. You should know and trust that their word is backed up by their action. This isn’t always the case. Here are some qualities that I believe make someone a GREAT trainer….someone who truly does “walk the talk”. Does your trainer possess all of these traits? Any of them? Does your trainer “walk the talk”?
QUALITIES OF A GREAT PERSONAL TRAINER1. Your trainer looks fit- Your trainer is a professional that is paid to show you how to get fit and in shape. If this person can not even heed his/her own advice, why should he/she expect you to? If your trainer truly believes in the fitness methods he/she teaches, it will show in his/her physical fitness level.
2. Your trainer eats well- If you see your trainer having a meal in between clients or grabbing a quick snack, you should NOT consistently see pizza, nachos, McDonald’s, Chinese food or any other greasy, unhealthy selection. Your trainer asks you to practice good health by fueling your body with nutrient-dense, healthy, real, whole foods…He/She should do the same. Depending on the goals and the size of your trainer, he/she may require a LOT of fuel (food) but this should all be top quality. A need for 5,000 calories per day should never be a license to eat CRAP!!
3, Your trainer provides PERSONAL training - If you have a history of asthma, a bad knee, a heart condition or any other consideration that deserves attention, you should not see your trainer putting a healthy college athlete through the same program he/she puts you through. Personal training should be just that: personal. It should take into account clients’ goals, medical history, injuries, preferences and abilities. A trainer may build the base of each client’s programs from the same source, but should individualize the final program design with each client’s needs in mind.
4. Your trainer asks for feedback - This is especially important at the start of training, as well as when a program is being increased in difficulty. A good trainer will ask for feedback both on the spot, as well as after your session has been completed. While calling/emailing/texting is not a requirement of a trainer’s job, a good trainer will know when to check in to let you know that he/she is committed to your fitness.
5. Your trainer is punctual and reliable - Meeting with a trainer consistently is KEY to meeting goals. Your trainer should set up a schedule that works for both of you, and then stick to it! Your trainer expects you to hold up your end of the bargain, and he/she should do the same. If your trainer is consistently absent or unreliable, it makes it very hard for you to meet your goals.
6. Your trainer stays current on Continuing Education - This one may not be so obvious to the client, but is not difficult to find out. A great trainer will stay current with fitness trends, research, data and education by reading journals, watching webinars and attending conferences. The fitness industry is constantly evolving and you want to be sure that your trainer is evolving with it. You deserve to be trained with the methods, equipment and programs that have been proven to deliver the BEST results possible. One surefire way for your trainer to understand how to do this is by continuing education.
There are lots of other traits/qualities that constitute a great trainer, but that’s a start. Bottom line here is that when searching for a personal trainer, you want to be sure that you find someone who practices what he/she preaches. You want to find a trainer who truly believes in what he/she does, and shows you by living it every day. If you are looking for a trainer that will push you to the next level while taking your needs into consideration,contact Lucky13Fitness today. At Lucky13Fitness you will not only have a trainer, you will have a motivator, an educational resource, a support, a cheerleader, and a mentor. Lucky13Fitness is committed to Walking the Talk and helping you become your BEST self!
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