Calling all Personal Trainers.

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

Okay, so basically I’m seeking all of your advice. No, not how to train or anything like that, but about your experience as a Personal Trainer.

Recently, I’ve gained my first cert. as a personal trainer and have applied to many openings in my area. I have got some response for some interviews next week and things are looking up. I’m actually really excited about the prospect of working in an environment that I really enjoy for a change. ANYWAY, I am still new to the training game and I was hoping some people would share their opinions or advice from their experience as a Personal Trainer that could help me along the way. Maybe about the type of clients you’ve encountered along the way, things you would have done differently when you first started, or the financial success or difficulties you’ve experienced throughout the whole process. Anything really. I’d really appreciate it.

Crusher Jr.

2

I have been training for 4 years now and I love it. I want to build up to having a higher percentage of my clientele being people who work hard, but when I remember that I am getting paid for this and how much I would hate an office job, it really isnt that bad…

As far as clients, I have developed a style being very blunt. Some people might even call it mean if they didnt know understand what I was trying to do. Basically, If a person does not do what I want them to, I want them to know I am unhappy with them, I used to be very nice and just keep saying well try this and that, but the bottom line is, people need to step their shit in line or get the fuck out.

And the reason why I think this is so important initially is because you cant start off nice then get tough, it just doesnt work, I want my clients to feel annoyed and bothered by me when they are not doing what they should. Some I push till they cry, not intentionally, but if thats what it takes to change your behavior thats what it takes, there will be significant resistance to change.

I also think a great thing, is when you get to the point in your business where you can sit back and fall on your sword so to speak. A client is just not getting it done and you can say, “listen this isnt working out, obviously I am not the trainer for you, I dont want to make my money this way, I need this hour for someone who is going to work”.

That is powerful shit man. Basically saying I dont want you or your money because you are too lazy. Sometimes it turns people around. Sometimes not. The biggest thing is to open your mouth when you want your client to do something. And it might be the type of thing you will say day after day after day, and then you can have them look back and say I told you to do this, you never did it.

Keep pushing until you get what you want trust me your client will appreciate it.

3

My personal training so far is different, the gym where I work attracts my clients for me, I haven’t sold any new packages just renewals.

The most success I have had is developing a good rapport with my clients, almost making friends with them as we train, afterwards we talk about stuff other then just training, just normal stuff friends would talk about.

This has worked really great for me because as you develop a good rapport with them, staying positive, in my experience they tend to want to impress you. If they fail on a lift or don’t get in on there own, they actually apologize to me, but I know they were giving it there all so I was still happy with them.

It’s easy to get results with most clients bc most clients are beginners, I just want to make sure they look forward to the training session when they come.

It’s hard for them to have fun all the time though, yeah they will do stuff they don’t like. That’s when I’d be a little more strict, sorta the “shut up and do it” kinda attitude but I am still smiling (so they think I’m joking).

Now obviously this isn’t the same advice shadow here gave, but I am just a kid, 19 years old. I’m a weekend certified trainer and this is just part-time, I’m going to college for a completely un-related course.

I don’t fully know what it takes to become successful in this field as a career, shadow has been doing it much longer then me and seems have gotten very good success. For that I applaud you, nice work!

4

Thanks for the advice so far guys even if they are coming from different perspectives. It is reassuring to hear about both of your success and that at the same time you can at least be somewhat strict with your clients. I’m hoping that I don’t end up with a client base that primarily don’t like pushing themselves even if for a little bit.

By the way, I wonder how you both deal with fitness assessments? I know it varies from gym to gym but I’m just curious. Does you gym take care of it or do you do it yourself?

5

[quote]PF_88 wrote:
My personal training so far is different, the gym where I work attracts my clients for me, I haven’t sold any new packages just renewals.

The most success I have had is developing a good rapport with my clients, almost making friends with them as we train, afterwards we talk about stuff other then just training, just normal stuff friends would talk about.

This has worked really great for me because as you develop a good rapport with them, staying positive, in my experience they tend to want to impress you. If they fail on a lift or don’t get in on there own, they actually apologize to me, but I know they were giving it there all so I was still happy with them.

It’s easy to get results with most clients bc most clients are beginners, I just want to make sure they look forward to the training session when they come.

It’s hard for them to have fun all the time though, yeah they will do stuff they don’t like. That’s when I’d be a little more strict, sorta the “shut up and do it” kinda attitude but I am still smiling (so they think I’m joking).

Now obviously this isn’t the same advice shadow here gave, but I am just a kid, 19 years old. I’m a weekend certified trainer and this is just part-time, I’m going to college for a completely un-related course.

I don’t fully know what it takes to become successful in this field as a career, shadow has been doing it much longer then me and seems have gotten very good success. For that I applaud you, nice work![/quote]

The relationship you describe for the most part is how my relationship is with my good clients. When I have my clients you do what I say I can relax quite a bit because I know their personality type and that they are responsible.

As far as assessments I work for a great coaching group in Tennessee. We have assessment software where we enter in a clients heart rate, pinches and inches, their activity hour by hour for the day, their history of weight loss success, whether or not they have been anorexic or bulemic, and their weight.

From this we can estimate how much cardio they will have to do, how much weight loss will be water, how much weight they can lose, how many calories they must take in, and their fat loss and muscle gain, as well as their body composition change. Excellent stuff we have. That is our main focus, we do not do many other assessments other than is in our initial sheets for them to fill out.

6

What’s up, Crusher. Welcoem to the family.

Give a read-through of the “Trainers Talking Shop” thread:
http://www.T-Nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=1214749

It was going for a while, and it’s a bunch of us covering a bunch of different topics.

Also, check out the “Aspiring Gurus” thread from a while back:
http://www.T-Nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=1240514
It also covers a LOT of useful info.

Basically, if you’re just getting started, read everything you can from other fitness professionals. E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Subscribe to every newsletter you see, read every blog you can find. Saturate yourself with information, and it’ll stick. Guys like Cosgrove, Craig Ballantyne, Jim Labadie, Eric Ruth, Ryan Lee, and Pat Rigsby have SO much innfo out there about building your fitness business form all angles, technically and professionally.

Also, consider investing in a copy of Standing on the Shoulders of Giants:
http://www.giants.thenategreenexperience.com/
It’s an audio interview collection with a bunch of the top names in the industry (Mike Boyle, Cosgrove, Labadie, Ryan Lee, Shugart, etc.)

7

For me fitness assessments are done by me, they are included in the training package and every 3 months we do measurements, body fat, small fit test. Just to see how far they have come.

8

I have been in this field for over 15 yrs. I manage the department of a large facility with 10 trainers and 42000 sq ft. I absolutely love what I do, but I recommend once you get comfortable, fins a niche and specialize.

i work a lot with golfers, mainly rehabing their injuries. I no longer need to look for customers, they come to me via word of mouth

9

Bigw,

Do you just apply your common sense when working with golf injuries or have you taken any extensive education for this particular type of training. I have heard of courses geared towards this specifically. I’m told there are lots of potential clients.

10

i’m no trainer but i had loads of encounters with them and never found the right one…

must be hard for a new one, but like in every job you have to make your proof and then it’ll be fine :wink:

just from a “potential” customer point of view… you have to master the biological cycle of different people, i mean if you can tell how to make the perfect work out for a any person, you’ll get the confidence of people :wink:

PS : still can’t find a trainer i can believe in, in paris, geez !