Trainers Talking Shop

Off Topic
81

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Qaash wrote:
How did you get your female clients to hit the iron instead of the cardio machines? I’m sure this will be my challenge once I start.
I overwhelm them with images that defy the She-Hulk myth. Google Image search any of the following:

Hannah Johnson, a 148 pound powerlifter with a 400 pound squat and dead, and a 265 bench.

Gea Johnson (ha, no relation as far as I know), a 140 pound Olympic weightlifter with a 265 clean and jerk.

FigureAthlete.com’s own Olesya Novik, a figure competitor who regularly does squats, deadlifts, rack pulls, etc.

Tony Gentilcore had a good article about this whole topic:
http://www.figureathlete.com/article/training/4_things_your_girlfriend_should_know&cr=

One of my favorite Chris Shugart lines also helps convince ladies: “Lifting weights makes men big, and it makes women firm.”[/quote]

good thing about the ballys i go to is the female trainers are fuckin hot. they all have great bodies and especially great asses i heard one is even a figure competitor so all id have to do is point and say “ok so you think she looks like a bulky guy?”

thats a good tip about just getting records on people. i dont know how id be able to train my friends for free though without interfering on my time. i mean i could lift with them but i couldnt let em use the gym for free. so im guessing you just mean work out with em and say yeah i trianed that guy.

82

So do you trainers have a lot of freedom train whenever you want? Could you train 2-3 hours a day if you wanted to?

83

[quote]belligerent wrote:
So do you trainers have a lot of freedom train whenever you want? Could you train 2-3 hours a day if you wanted to?[/quote]

considering the information ive given earlier take this with a grain of salt since i havent actually started yet.

but anyway at my gym it works by sessions. you pay for a total amount of sessions like 12 or 20 or something like that. im sure you could displace them however you wanted to so if you wanted to use 2 or 3 sessions in one day you could go for it. i think just getting 1 hour a day would be fine as opposed to 2 or 3 hours that way you dont get overwhelmed with too much in one day. i know if i was new to training i wouldnt be able to handle learning perfect form on 20 different lifts.

i wont go any further though cause im not really sure what your question is asking.

84

[quote]LiveFromThe781 wrote:
thats a good tip about just getting records on people. i dont know how id be able to train my friends for free though without interfering on my time. i mean i could lift with them but i couldnt let em use the gym for free. so im guessing you just mean work out with em and say yeah i trianed that guy.
[/quote]

If you’re just working out at the same time, that would be training with them. I’m talking about designing a plan for them, based on their goals, and either supervise them during the workouts or make sure they stick to the plan when they train on their own… the same as you’re going to do for paying clients.

I hear you about it taking some time, but if you know guys that are lifting anyway, see if some would be interested in following your nutrition/training advice instead of whatever plan they’re doing now.

85

[quote]belligerent wrote:
So do you trainers have a lot of freedom train whenever you want? Could you train 2-3 hours a day if you wanted to?[/quote]

I think you’re talking about our own training. It’s 50-50 depending on who you ask. The biggest hassle with lifting at the same place you work is that there’s a good chance people will recognize you (yeah, even without the shirt that says “Staff” on the back) and they may ask questions that interfere with your training.

In that situation, I feel it’s best to stay professional and help them as much as possible, that way you endear yourself to them and they’re that much more likely to purchase sessions.

The easiest way to avoid the situation is to train at a gym you don’t work at. Only “problem” is that you’ll have to pay for your membership.

When I was working in gyms, we were required to wander the gym floor keeping an eye on everything, so “grease the groove”-style training worked phenomenally. I damn near tripled my pull-ups in a few months, with multiple sessions a few days a week. Each “workout” took under a minute, so it was easy to sneak a bunch of sets in during the day.

And that’s just when working in a gym. If you own your own studio, then it’s entirely up to how you arrange your workout schedule, just like any small business owner.

86

Just wanted to share a recent client update.

I worked with a guy for about six weeks, but then we fell out of contact. He didn’t return e-mails or calls. I figured his recently-started veterinary business got busy.

I get an e-mail from him the other day: “Chris, sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. Just found out my wife is pregnant with twins.”

It gave me some ideas for new slogans:

Colucci Training - No More Shooting Blanks

Train for Strength, Train for Size, Train for Potency

Colucci Training - Good to Keep the Yang Up

Ha.

87

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Just wanted to share a recent client update.

I worked with a guy for about six weeks, but then we fell out of contact. He didn’t return e-mails or calls. I figured his recently-started veterinary business got busy.

I get an e-mail from him the other day: “Chris, sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. Just found out my wife is pregnant with twins.”

It gave me some ideas for new slogans:

Colucci Training - No More Shooting Blanks

Train for Strength, Train for Size, Train for Potency

Colucci Training - Good to Keep the Yang Up

Ha.[/quote]

good one…I like the second one

Question, how do you deal with cellulite on your female clients?

88

[quote]Qaash wrote:
Question, how do you deal with cellulite on your female clients?[/quote]

The “basic” fat loss rules apply: Intense cardio, smart nutrition, and strength training.

A lot of the problem with cellulite seems to be genetic. Some people can get pretty fat without getting it, while other folks can be relatively lean and still have some visible cellulite.

Creams, lotions, and other topical potions are hit or miss (mostly miss), and don’t really address the problem… the fat under the skin.

Olesya Novik actually had a pretty good two-part article that talked all about dealing with cellulite.
http://www.figureathlete.com/article/features/cellulite_the_definitive_battle_part_ii

But yeah, it’s like most other bodyfat issues: The best way to avoid it is to not get fat in the first place. But once you do, it’s tough to tell the body “burn the cellulite fat, now.”

89

what are some basics you think every trainer should know in order to become a succesful trainer?

90

[quote]LiveFromThe781 wrote:
what are some basics you think every trainer should know in order to become a succesful trainer?[/quote]

I’d say you (the general “you”, not you specifically, Live) need to be, first and foremost, a good teacher and communicator. Remember that every client isn’t a mini-you. They have their own preferences, goals, and quirks.

If you can’t communicate your “lesson” (whether it’s how to do an exercise, why you should eat less carbs before bed, whatever) in a way that they understand, you failed.

Also, it’s super important to keep an open mind and remember that there are plenty of people out there with more experience than you. You know that one particular training method you just h-a-t-e? It could be kettlebells, bosu ball-functional training, machine-based HIT training, anything… well… like it or not, there are trainers out there who use those methods and get results with them.

Don’t be so ignorant to think that someone else is doing something “wrong” just because it isn’t your cup of tea*. Believe it or not, you can learn something useful from everyone.

* - Reminds me of my second favorite Bruce Lee quote: “You must empty your cup before you can taste my tea.”

91

[quote]LiveFromThe781 wrote:
what are some basics you think every trainer should know in order to become a succesful trainer?[/quote]

1.) Learn to spell “successful” correctly. I’m just giving you a hard time but seriously, people skills and communication are vital. Every time you make contact with a client, whether that is in person or via e-mail, you have a chance to communicate your passion and expertise to them, as well as inspiring them and getting them excited about training. I believe, and I don’t think I’m alone here, that the most important factors in a client’s success is his/her dedication to, and confidence in, their training program. It is easy to inspire confidence in your clients if you have excellent communication skills.

2.) Stick to what you know. When I first started I wanted to throw all of Supertraining at the kids I trained. Now, things are much more basic and results are better. Lets face it, most goals are fairly simple. Not easy, but simple. Additionally, most clients are going to be somewhere between beginner and novice. Training for this group of individuals is even simpler. Stick to what you know and you will speak with much more confidence and that will be communicated to your clients and they will work harder.

92

Actually female clients will not question your authority and most will do as you tell them.

They’ll keep their opinions for later if they don’t feel right about it, but you have ASK them and keep communicating…if not they’ll not tell you because they’re afraid to offend you.

Other than that, the basics of a trainer is to deliver results and value add to your service with whatever you have in the tool box without compromising their safety and health.

Design a program not a work out.

93

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
LiveFromThe781 wrote:
what are some basics you think every trainer should know in order to become a succesful trainer?

I’d say you (the general “you”, not you specifically, Live) need to be, first and foremost, a good teacher and communicator. Remember that every client isn’t a mini-you. They have their own preferences, goals, and quirks.

If you can’t communicate your “lesson” (whether it’s how to do an exercise, why you should eat less carbs before bed, whatever) in a way that they understand, you failed.

Also, it’s super important to keep an open mind and remember that there are plenty of people out there with more experience than you. You know that one particular training method you just h-a-t-e? It could be kettlebells, bosu ball-functional training, machine-based HIT training, anything… well… like it or not, there are trainers out there who use those methods and get results with them.

Don’t be so ignorant to think that someone else is doing something “wrong” just because it isn’t your cup of tea*. Believe it or not, you can learn something useful from everyone.

* - Reminds me of my second favorite Bruce Lee quote: “You must empty your cup before you can taste my tea.”[/quote]

i understand maybe not everything being done is stupid or wrong because i dont do it but ill be damned if there isnt a whole lot that is.

i understand most the people im going to be training are gonna want pretty basic results, losing a bunch of weight or looking “fit” by dropping a couple pounds and bringing up the biceps. and i know i probaly wont have them doing deadlifts and zercher squats but hopefully ill be able to grab a couple guys i know from the gym who i can train that way. i do see a couple different methods other trainers use though.

one guy seems to be into crossfit/circuit training and most the others do your basic BW lunges and uuughhh bosu ball pushups. thats great for them but i think it will be good for me to bring in a bodybuilding style into the gym. besides i think if theres one broad style of training (because as we all know BBing has many styles) for transforming your body it would be bodybuilding. i will be a happy man if i can get my clients to sprint outside instead of using the treadmill on 3 for 45 minutes.

94

Thats good that you’re looking to establish a niche.
Though its great to be a generalist and all but end of the day you need to be the “go to guy” when it comes to a certain type of training method.

Also don’t be eager to take on clients that have unreasonable demands and expectation. Choose ones that will bring in referrals and also a walking talking billboard for you to advertise your services.

95

if anyone came to me with an “unreasonable” expectation i would immediately set them straight. although it depends what is meant by unreasonable. if they say to me, i want to put on 10lbs of muscle in the next 2 months id say ok that probaly isnt going to happen. if they said to me i want to put on 10lbs of muscle in the next year id say thats a more realisitic goal. granted their bodytype/experience is going to play a large part in determining anything.

what do you guys think about taking someone who right off the bat you can tell isnt serious and wont be working hard? im not sure how it works at my gym, i may have to take anyone that wants me because its a commercial gym. but if i dont do you think itd be worth it since that person could slander my name just because they cant take responsibility and want to blame me for their failure?

96

I believe those people require motivation.
As long as they don’t quit themselves, there’s always a chance that they might change their mind for the better.

Be positive, that’s what most people need and pay you for - to egg/encourage and them on. Be a friend not a leech.

97

im not going to be a leech whatever that means, but i understand that in the gym you need to bust your ass in order to achieve results. i dont want to be these peoples friends, i want to be their trainers. im not saying we cant get along but im not gonn have any pussyfooting. i plan to push people so they can take themselves further than they thought they could. some people just need someone to light a fire under their ass. doesnt mean i cant shoot the shit and joke around with them too but if i say i want to see you hit 15 reps on the leg-press and you give me 7 theres going to be an issue.

98

[quote]LiveFromThe781 wrote:
if anyone came to me with an “unreasonable” expectation i would immediately set them straight.[/quote]

Bingo. You’ve got a good instinct. At the first meeting, when you discuss the client’s goals, make it clear that what they want may or may not be possible.

It’s not necessarily a reflection on your skills, like you said, many people have unrealistic goals simpy because they don’t know any better. “Hi, um, my high school reunion is next month and I want to fit back into my cheerleader outfit. You can help me drop 40 pounds, right?”

Again, at that first meeting, lay down the law and be straight with them. I make sure to tell new clients that, yes, workouts are tough and make you sweat. You’ll get out of breath, you’ll feel sore every once in a while (p.s. - that’s a big deal. Prepare them for the DOMS after their first workout, and do whatever you can to minimize it.)

But it’s exactly because the workouts are tough, that they produce results. If training was a walk in the park (literally or figuretively), there’d be no need for trainers, would there!?!

Depends. Most gyms give new members a 30-60 minute “orientation” with a trainer to introduce them to the facility, and it gives the trainer a chance to “sell” themselves for future sessions. So it’s likely you’ll have some sessions with all types of people; old, young, inexperienced, recently injured, former jocks, etc.

It goes back to preparing them from the start, and telling them what can or cannot be achieved, and what it takes to get there. You probably won’t have the ability to do this when working in a commercial gym, but this could be a time when firing the client, and you telling them not to come back is appropriate.

99

Heres a question for some of you guys! Im having a real problem with a sports coach at the moment, ive been brought into act as fitness coordinator for a rugby team. Supplanting the apparently poorly qualified previous trainer but heres the snag he was a friend of the head coach, who seems to really resent me for this and thus my planned intervention.

He won’t let me do what i deem fit for his athletes and appears to have somewhat of a god complex and thus won’t relinquish responsibilities. What worse is this isn’t the first time ive met coaches with control complex! I was curious as to how you’ve dealt with difficult or awkward coaching staff?

strength and conditioning coaching is a rather new concept in the UK and some sports coaches are struggling where to draw the line in terms of what is and isn’t their responsibility.

100

I guess you have to talk to the coach and get things straight.
I’ve seen such discussion on strengthcoach.com and all comes down to communication and delegation of duties.
If not it’s not going to work out if both the head coach and you have different philosophies towards training.