I will say that I think there’s a slightly larger aspect at play here.
If we’re talking about someone who is an athlete, looking to add 50lbs to their bench, or improve sport performance, 100% agree that trainers should have a serious depth of skill and knowledge, ideally well beyond what a bunch of meatheads on a forum have to say.
BUT, I think 90-plus percent of client who peruse personal training aren’t trying to improve their 40 time or hit a new deadlift PR. Largely, It seems that a ton of trainers are much more “motivators” who help people feel comfortable to even show up to a gym, and go through ANY form of full range of motion movement/cardiovascular stress.
Again, that’s useless to a serious athlete, hell it’s probably useless to most high school athletes. But (unfortunately) so much of the population is not just un-seriously trained, but completely inept at basic movement capabilities, that the value in a lower technical skilled but highly social skilled cheerleader is probably a net benefit to these people.
I don’t assume he’s getting paid. I know if I do it, it will be as a volunteer at a library or community center.
I’ll take a class in the thing (I’m already CPR and basic lifesaving certified) and then turn around and teach the system, while secretly making it a great social support group, because people need that just as much.
One of my patients attended the funeral of her 84 year old Bone Builder teacher today. She talked about it yesterday in session.
Question 1 - I’d say if you stop lifting heavy for over 3-months, you are now in the dangers zone for loosing any size you achieved.
Question 2 - I’m bald and I never used creatine, not even once in my life of lifting. I’ve never used any type of lifting supp before besides protein powder.
I see this too much - the comfort part. I think I’ve witnessed some good personal training sessions over my 20+ years at the gym, but it’s been a rarity. I’ve witnessed trainers who overwork and overcomplicate things to make a person feel like they need them and I’ve seen a lot of sessions that were probably a waste of time in terms of training progress. I’m sure the client and trainer enjoy each other’s company, but working out at an RPE of 4 over and over again is a great way to spin your wheels in terms of strength training or cardiorespiratory fitness.
It’s possible to provide all of the things - comfort with training, quality time, and effort. I remember my “training” when I was getting into personal training back in my early 20s and it seemed to be a lot of flashy things and buzz words. I’m afraid trainers still get caught in the novelty section of training and miss the tried and true basics that lead to progress.
I didn’t last long as a personal trainer. It turns out I’m a terrible salesman and care more about people’s health and fitness. I’d rather teach them to be independent so they don’t quit when they run out of money. And that’s one reason I eventually found my way to my current job a high school teacher where I get to teach a Weight Training and Conditioning class. It’s the perfect combination - free for them and I still get paid more than $10/hr.
I absolutely know that the core of my work as a therapist and previous stints in weight loss and gym work (never as a PT) are my strong belief in possibility combined with a talent for sales. Many people have dreams without the wherewithal to see them through, both in terms of concrete steps and belief that they can reach for this thing and actually grab it. A good PT provides both the concrete and the support needed to commit, as a good teacher does. And a good financial advisor. And so on and so forth.
No, doing lots of teeny weeny weights will not undo your progress, but it may however, hinder your ability to gain strength etc on the heavy stuff. IE: Kinda like, if a 400+lb bencher decides to start doing tons of push -ups just before their International Bench Press day, the push-ups don’t negate the bench pressing strength, but they can and will impede it’s advanced if not sensibly sequenced in a routine(s).
Nope, I started thinning out a bit on top long before I’d even tried Creatine!
That was me the three decades that I competed. I was pretty much unapproachable in appearance. Many asked if I was angry even when I felt relaxed. And I had zero tolerance for noncompliance.
Plus it wasn’t until I was in my 40’s that having personal trainer became somewhat common. So, I never gave becoming a personal trainer any thought. Not to mention if sales is involved for income, I would starve.
