This is a fun topic for me.
Why?
Well, because my thoughts are totally not what people expect. My thoughts are a little out of the ordinary and probably more than a little controversial.
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| Coaching Teresa and Emily. Two of our biggest success stories. |
Chances are I will offend a bunch of people; chances are also that those offended are other trainers.
Let's get to work.
The year is changing yet again. 2014 is almost over and now it's time for 2015 to arrive. At the changing of the numbers many people re-evaluate where their health is. Since most people are out of shape is goes to reason that most people are going to set a new years resolution to get in better shape.
I 100% applaud that decision.
If that is you that KUDOS. So proud of you! This is a great time to get started.
Hiring a personal trainer a a good option for many people. Today's short article is going to give you my 5 tips to making the right choice.
Before I share what to look for let me share what not to look for.
Never, never and I mean NEVER price shop a personal trainer. Listen, if you are broke don't go looking for a personal trainer. Sometimes you can trade services of something but don't look for someone cheap or try to barter. You have to pay for quality. Not everyone should hire a personal trainer. If you don't have the money there are plenty of other ways to get in shape.
So you are looking for a personal trainer. Here is what you look for...
Essential TIP #1: They MUST look the part. I know. I get it. Not everyone is going to be muscle bound and super hot in gym shorts. There are ordinary looking people out there that are trainers. Is this a shallow way to look at things? No it is not.
If I am going to invest good money in a trainer why would I want a trainer that doesn't take care of themselves? Would you hire a broke financial planner? Would you have a guy with a dirty car detail YOUR car?
A personal trainer that is worthy of your dollars should be healthy, fit, energetic and MUST workout each and everyday. It's just my opinion but I think a reputable trainer needs to be a cut above. They need to be a shining example of that you COULD look like.
Essential tip #2: Look for testimonials from referrals. Let me explain. Let's say you want to hire Joe Trainer. You ask Joe, "Can I talk to one of you clients that has had _____ results? (presumably results that YOU are looking for.)"
Mr. Trainer gives you a list of names. What you are looking for are people to talk to that were referred by Joe's the people Joe said you can talk to. If Joe says that he helped Mary and you talk to Mary only to realize Mary is his sister and there are no other people that she can refer then keep looking.
Here is what you are looking for. Joe says, "I worked with Betty and she lost 25 lbs." You go talk to Betty and she verifies the weigh loss is try and she says that her friend Jennifer trained with Joe Trainer as well and she had great results. See how that works?
This is important stuff. Do your leg work! (Pun intended.)
Essential tip #3: Experience MATTERS. Just because someone is a "certified personal trainer" DOES NOT mean that they can train you. I am a firm believer that a personal trainer needs to pay their dues, so to speak. Lot's of people take a weekend class, buy some insurance and call themselves a trainer.
You are rolling the dice with these people.
If you want to be a guinea pig with a friend who just became a trainer that is fine but REMEMBER, if you REALLY want to get good results and this fitness thing is important to you then experience really does matter.
I worked full time at a gym for a year before I every trained a client. Being a true personal trainer (and a good one for that matter) is very much harder than people think it is. Make sure to you understand that. If you really want to hire the right one make sure to hire a trainer that has been doing it a while.
It's incredibly hard to make a living as a personal trainer. This is why I suggest...
Essential tip #4: Hire a trainer who makes a living as a TRAINER. I know. This one is a little harsh. Let me explain.
Because this is such a hard profession to make it in there are very few actual good trainers and MANY that are not so good. Do you think that a not so good trainer is going to make it full time in fitness? Not likely. This is a great litmus test.
When a trainer makes it in the fitness industry that means that they truly have the passion to help others and they will have the passion to help you.
Essential tip #5: Look for a trainer that uses, endorses and distributes supplements. Of the 5 tips this one is probably the one that seems most off the wall I'm sure.
As a a matter of fact, I'm sure that you have heard the exact opposite from people before.
Let me explain why I feel this way.
First of all, if a person is going to "make a living" in fitness he or she is going to have to make money, right? Income from clients sessions is one way but that is dollars for hours and there are only so many hours, thus so many dollars. Trainers whose primary income is from sessions often suffer burn out because of long hours and lack of true success with clients.
On the flip side trainers that have a side business coaching clients on the proper use of supplements they train less hours and have better client results thus have a more successful business and a happier life.
This makes a better trainer.
There is another reason for this tip as well.
Supplementation is a multi-billion dollar industry. Do you really want a trainer who you ask a questions about a pre-workout supplement or a protein or a weight loss aid to direct you to GNC for you to make up your mind?
Not professional at all.
For this you want a personal trainer that says, "Here is what I take and here is what I suggest that you take and here is why."
It's called being a coach. This is important. If a trainer says, "I don't believe in supplements" then they are simply lazy and have not taken the time to learn the facts. They are also cutting themselves out of potential profit.
If a trainer tells you that he doesn't use supplements then is drinking coffee or an energy drink before a workout or chocolate milk after a workout then this is a trainer who you want to avoid.
Trust me on this one. Supplements are an integral park of getting healthy and if a trainer doesn't at least give you an educated opinion then she is not the one for you. TRUST ME.
The right trainer is going to be different for everybody. These tips may or may not be 100% right for you. I believe though that if you follow these suggestions you will have a better chance of success in hiring a trainer and thus a better chance of getting the results that you deserve.
Person training a is a profession that I love. It is something that I have a lot of passion for. There are MANY people just like me out there that will help and guide you.
Sadly there are also a lot of people that are doing for the wrong reasons and, while their hearts are in the right place, you are likely not to get the value from them that you want.
If you are beginning your fitness journey and you have found this article I wish you luck on your path to success. YOU CAN DO IT!
If you got value out of this post PLEASE share with your friends so they can be blessed as well.
Do you struggle with your eating? Most people do. If you do then you might want to check out our 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge. It's a whole month worth or meal plans and recipes. This program has an amazing value. Save yourself hours of work. Here is the link to get yours: http://30daycleaneatingchallenge.com
Thank you for reading. Best of luck to you!
Rick Copley, No Limits Fitness, Gym manager,AdvoCare Independent Distributor
rick@nolimitsfitness.me | 352-989-6795
www.nolimitsfitness.me |30daycleaneatingchallenge.com |www.advocare.com Labels: 30 day clean eating challenge, 30daycleaneatingchallenge, no limits fitness, nolimitsfitness, personal trainer tavares
