Hello everyone,
I’ve just began my first day as a personal trainer today. I am ISSA certified, but, more importantly, I’ve researched hundreds and hundreds of hours on my own time on this site, ElitFTS, etc learning new things and trying to become as smart about training and anything involving the human body as I can be.
It’s worked. Very well. I’ve trained likeminded friends succssfully. I’ve done wonders with my own body, including rehabbing based on knowledge/feel an injury to myself that should’ve required surgery. I’m not Poliquin, I’m not Berardi, I’m not Waterbury, but I feel I’ve learned more than enough to council most on the subjects of training, and especially, nutrition.
However, I ran into a few problems today, and quite frankly, this is my home. I figured there couldn’t be a better place to ask the questions and voice the concerns I have than right here. So, any help would be appreciated.
I trained 3 people today. 2 women, 1 man. 1st woman is a lil milf lady, in her early 50’s, very good shape for her age, looks 15 years younger than she is. Other are a couple actually, ovrweight lady and a man, not in bad shape, but he has only done machine training for a few months, and needs to up his strength levels. She’s a total newbie. Today was her 2nd workout ever.
The gym in and of itself is not hardcore. In fact, it’s not called a gym even, it’s a ‘personal training studio’. However, the only 5 things we’re missing are chains, a glute/ham raise, a reverse hyper, dumbbells that go over 120 lbs, and a ‘keep your fucking hands off the board sign’ lol. Everything needed for a great workout is there and is allowed. I deadlift all the time there, and it’s fine.
Here-s what I’ve noticed about these clients though- all of them want full body, 3x per week workouts. Shouldn’t be a problem for the older lady, who has trained for quite a few years. However, she was very machine oriented (genetics DO play a role, lol. This lady has one of THE nicest asses I’ve ever seen). I don’t do machines. Well, a few, the good few, but otherwise I’m very free weight, compound oriented.
And so, that’s what they all did. As Rchard Pryor said, “Hey Holmes, go wit whatcha know…” They got some ab work in at the end, and did 6 compound exercises. Vertical pull and push, quad dom/hip dom legs and horizontal push and pull. I was new to all of them, and I needed to know where they were all at strength wise, so we did 3 sets of 15 reps for all exercises.
I talked with all of them a lot during, trying to educate them as much as possible in between sets. Especially on how compound free weights will not ‘bulk’ a girl up. The usual shit. I have new appointments with them all. They all enjoyed their workouts I believe, as I didn’t push anything on them. All 3 asked for their next sessions, I didn’t ask them once. Very good sign in this shady business where most trainers have to push things on people and act liked shady used car salesmen.
However, here are my major problems. I want to do what they want. Even if they refuse free weights and need their machines. Fine. However, none did. They all worked their asses off (especially the 2 newbies…go figure) I also don’t believe total boy is the way to go for a newbie. I’d rather do a 3 or 4 day split for the new ones (which I’m seeing is who I’m going to be dealing with the most, by far).
Full body, compound, 3x a week I think is too much for new trainees. I believe in going up in frequency the more advanced a trainee becomes. How do I tell them this and not lose clients? Right now, they need something like the Beginners Blast Off program. Each muscle group once per week to learn the exercises/recover would do them very well.
B) Business end…The place I work, we aren’t payed by the hour. We’re 1099’ed and we can do/charge, more or less (there’s a high and low end for a session) whatever we want. For instance, 1 session is $50. However, the owner suggested we offer special, like 3 sessions for $100, etc. That’s fine, and it’s in the ritzy part of town (the part I don’t live in, lol) so these people can afford these things.
Here’s my issue. I don’t want ‘sessions’. I’m very seriously considering offering 3 to 6 week specials, because that’s what my (and I’m sure most of your) training blocks run in. I know some of these people just want someone to dote on them and count reps, but that ain’t me. If you hire me, you’re going to get results, because I’m going to be as pissed as you if you don’t.
Results don’t come in ‘1 session’ or ‘3 sessions’. They come in training programs and training blocks. What do I do here? Not give a fuck and just sell 1 wokout a time to people who dont know better, or hold my standars high, take less clients and hope for the best? I’m leaning towards the latter, heavily…
Thanks for listening. Please help…
Kubo