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Personal trainers- your thoughts

post #1 of 23
3/29/11 at 1:48pm
Thread Starter 
What percentage of them are legitimate, and how does one become certified?

I recently switched gyms from an expensive franchise to a "bare bones" one, and some of the PTs at this new place aren't even in shape

Plus some of the workouts they have people doing

What's the deal? Anyone here use em? What's your general feeling about them?
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post #2 of 23
3/29/11 at 2:01pm
Different certifications require different levels of knowledge. Some are a joke, and some are difficult. Look for people will real world experience in fitness/athletics, not just someone that passed a test. If a person needs someone to push them and get them out of bed every morning, then have at it. IMO, that's not why 90% of people use trainers. They're used because people are too lazy to spend the very small amount of time required to learn how to correctly workout. They're convinced that they're not in shape because it's just too complicated and too hard to do themselves, so they spend a ridiculous amount of money for some asshole to stand over them while they bench press 10lb dumbbells. This is why you typically see the same type of individual with a trainer - usually women in their 40s. If coaching is desired, find a gym that has trainers on site and anything they provide you is already included in your membership. They do exist. Coaching for olympic lifting, for example, is another story. A good trainer would be valuable here. I just never understood why people pay $60 an hour for someone to watch them do sit-ups.
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post #3 of 23
3/29/11 at 2:07pm
It's obscenely easy to get certified - in fact I'm personally looking at doing one through my university which should demonstrate the ease.
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post #4 of 23
3/29/11 at 2:14pm
If they don't put out post-workout then I'm not paying. ...don't get any ideas now, Magician.
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post #5 of 23
3/29/11 at 2:17pm
i see a few personal trainers consulting even at the gym at our apt complex , the stuff they teach and do for the client is easy no brainer stuff even i can teach it. i dont know if he carries more info/knowledge than he let's on, but i think i can carry on whatever he does to make his money, more so his pay is for the motivation factor i guess, but lots of times he just sits there and softly barks orders to the client in a nice way but nothing more.
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post #6 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
To the avg joe's credit, bodybuilding or training for a sport has much clearer objectives than some chick who doesn't wanna be skinny fat. Figuring out what you want to look like, if you can even look like that and what you need to do to achieve that look (or health or w/e) is prob harder when there's no clear objective. I don't know that too many PTs analyze that, or if it's in the PT code to tell a client what they need or if their goals are wrong. Plus I don't think too many PTs delve into diet/sleep, which is prob like 70-80% of the driving force in body changes. It's gotta be a top to bottom approach
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post #7 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:23pm
At Equinox, I'm convinced that the trainers must have some sort of competition to see who can get their clients to do the stupidest, most crazy exercise they can create.
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post #8 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:30pm
I've worked with a trainer post-injury for sport specific stuff and stabilization things.
It was incredibly helpful -- all sorts of things I could have never come up with on my own.

This was with a trainer however who had a highly specialized background (track and field national youth coaching), to address some very specific issues that I had.


I think trainers may also function, provided that they are competent, to really help individuals past plateaus, or refine form.
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post #9 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:33pm
I think most "trainers" just copy whatever is in the current mens or women's health this month.
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post #10 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:39pm
My gym is affiliated with one of the larger national hotel chains. They have excellent hiring procedures, tremendous customer service program and training, top benefits and fantastic facilities. Because of that, they have their choice of the very best trainers.

I've used two trainers. Both young females. Both were motivated and motivating. Neither was hot but both were in shape. In fact one had qualified for the Olympics in swimming.

I wouldn't be able to respect a trainer who wasn't in excellent condition, practiced a healthy active lifestyle or wasn't positive and motivating. If you don't get all of that then don't hire them.
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post #11 of 23
3/29/11 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by suited View Post

Coaching for olympic lifting, for example, is another story. A good trainer would be valuable here. I just never understood why people pay $60 an hour for someone to watch them do sit-ups.

+1000.

In fact, I would posit that having a trainer is mandatory for something as technical as olympic lifts.
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post #12 of 23
3/29/11 at 4:01pm
I borrowed my Father's personal trainer for a few sessions to kick start me after totally running myself into the ground finishing university. He was previously an international tri-athlete, trained various celebs and with qualification in all kinds of related stuff. He cost an absolute fortune, but I think if you can afford it someone like him is worth it - he knows more about exercising and nutrition than I would ever want to, fitness is basically his life and working with him really helped me.

I think if you are busy, or not interested in learning about fitness, and have the money a really good personal trainer can very useful. From stories I have heard from other people the majority of personal trainers are useless, a waste of money, and potentially even dangerous.
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post #13 of 23
3/29/11 at 4:46pm
This threak again...

There are lots of bad ones, and they don't stick around long. But there are usually some very good ones too. They know there stuff, and better still, they motivate the person to get into the gym. I've seen one in particular who carries a noticeble amount of flab (but can lead a high intensity aerobics class for 60 minutes that would probably kill me) but he's a terrific cheerleader and is especially good at motivating the older set who are in terrible shape. he keeps them coming in and I know some feel he's improved their quality of life.

Don't forget, for the majority (even those in shape), crossing the threshold into a gym (even just starting to put on running shoes and jog) is very daunting.

Unlike all the bro-scientologists online, most people are not into fitness, they don't see it as a hobby but instead as a "necessary evil" and are not interested in the discomfort that comes with getting fit.

If there is somebody out there that can help those people overcome that, cheers to them.


For the record, I'm not totally altruistic about this, I do gripe about bad trainers, dumb routines, and the noobs taking up space in my crowded gym too.

I find that when I let them get to me, it's a reminder that I am not paying enough atention on my workout and to get my head on straight.
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post #14 of 23
3/29/11 at 5:06pm
yup, tons of bad ones and some good ones. I goto a "trainer gym" all trainers and their clients, no randoms and no one slacking...some struggling though. All these trainers have multiple certs, some are dieticians/nutritionists, some are not, and all offer a comprehensive diet plan. Thay also ask you want you are looking to get out of it, some people want to get back in shape for sports, some want to look good naked, some want to get stronger, but they will tailor the workout/diet to what you want.
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post #15 of 23
3/31/11 at 8:51pm
I was one for many years. I can tell you that 90% of trainers in your average gym are awful and more prone to injure their clients than anything else. Anyone can get a cert - for a basic one you can just do a weekend course and voila...you're a certified trainer.

The gym I train at now is a pretty hardcore gym and I watch the trainers with their clients and I must admit they're amazing - all of them...very client focussed, all tailored programs, innovative training techniques and approachable.
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