Trainers Talking Shop

Off Topic
121

[quote]AssOnGrass wrote:
I’ll probably pick it up

Anyone else feeling the pinch of the economy. I’ll make it through OK I feel, but I’m only make 1/2 what I was 4 months ago before shit really started to hit the fan. It’s enough to get by, but I’m not putting much money towards my retirement and investments as I had planned earlier in the year.

Anyone ever have a situation where the money slowed and either went back to school because they have the extra time or they got a 2nd job?

One of the best things about being a trainer is that if you’re not training you have a lot of down time to get your other stuff done, whether it’s trying to bring in more business or catch up on some of those training books you’ve been letting collect dust for a couple of months. [/quote]

haha yea dude im guessing if you got a lot of down time as a trainer your first priority should be to attract more business.

122

[quote]LiveFromThe781 wrote:
AssOnGrass wrote:
Anyone ever have a situation where the money slowed and either went back to school because they have the extra time or they got a 2nd job?

One of the best things about being a trainer is that if you’re not training you have a lot of down time to get your other stuff done, whether it’s trying to bring in more business or catch up on some of those training books you’ve been letting collect dust for a couple of months.

haha yea dude im guessing if you got a lot of down time as a trainer your first priority should be to attract more business. [/quote]

The name of the game is passive income. You need to have something to offer people that isn’t live training. Whether it’s an e-book you’ve put together, affiliate products (commissions can add up quick), speaking engagements, whatever.

The more income streams you have, the better prepared you’ll be for the lean times. (Ha! Pun very intended. I kill me sometimes.)

123

I needed to bump this thread because I am now joining the PT crowd and as a rookie trainer I could use some advice.

First, I’ll be working for the new Bally Total Fitness complex opening in my neighborhood. I interviewed last night and the head recruiter seemed to like me. I think I’m in. So what are the rookie mistakes I need to avoid so that this gig can be productive in 09?

124

[quote]On 7/8/08, pg 3, Qaash wrote:
Anyway, I’m considering getting a second job and wanted to give personal training a shot, was thinking Bally’s as well.[/quote]

Aww, our Qaashy’s made it. :wink: Nice work, man.

Some general pointers:

  • Be good at your job. Sounds overly simple, but know ahead of time whether or not you can honestly get a client closer to their goals.

If someone comes in and has realistic goals that you’re not comfortable addressing (say, a high school athlete trying to get noticed by a college), don’t hesitate to refer them to a more experienced trainer. Of course, if you’re confident you can deliver, then go for it.

  • Have a plan to deal with DOMS. Be sure to tell them before you even start the first workout that some soreness is to be expected, but do whatever you can to minimize it. Encourage a PWO shake, use some easy stretching, don’t exaggerate the eccentric, whatever tricks you’re comfortable using, use.

  • Take “before” measurements of the neck, both upper arms, nipple line, navel, waist/hips, both thighs, both calves. For a female client, ask a female trainer to do you a favor and get the client’s measurements in the locker room. Once or twice a month (maybe once a week), re-check them all to show and track progress, and reinforce a positive attitude.

If the client’s comfortable with the idea, ask to take four “before” photos (front, left side, right side, back. All relaxed with arms down at the side, not hitting any mandatory bodybuilding poses). Retake photos once or twice a month. I wouldn’t do these weekly, since significant visual changes won’t necessarily happen week-to-week.

  • Remind them that there’s more to reaching their goal than just showing up to train for an hour with you. Nutrition is important. Whatever nutrition method you believe in and plan on teaching, make sure they know that they could end up spinning their wheels, wasting time and money, if they don’t put an equal amount of dedication into what they eat.

That’s what I can think of off the top of my head. Definitely shoot up any more questions along the way.

125

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
On 7/8/08, pg 3, Qaash wrote:
Anyway, I’m considering getting a second job and wanted to give personal training a shot, was thinking Bally’s as well.

Aww, our Qaashy’s made it. :wink: Nice work, man.

Some general pointers:

  • Be good at your job. Sounds overly simple, but know ahead of time whether or not you can honestly get a client closer to their goals.

If someone comes in and has realistic goals that you’re not comfortable addressing (say, a high school athlete trying to get noticed by a college), don’t hesitate to refer them to a more experienced trainer. Of course, if you’re confident you can deliver, then go for it.

  • Have a plan to deal with DOMS. Be sure to tell them before you even start the first workout that some soreness is to be expected, but do whatever you can to minimize it. Encourage a PWO shake, use some easy stretching, don’t exaggerate the eccentric, whatever tricks you’re comfortable using, use.

  • Take “before” measurements of the neck, both upper arms, nipple line, navel, waist/hips, both thighs, both calves. For a female client, ask a female trainer to do you a favor and get the client’s measurements in the locker room. Once or twice a month (maybe once a week), re-check them all to show and track progress, and reinforce a positive attitude.

If the client’s comfortable with the idea, ask to take four “before” photos (front, left side, right side, back. All relaxed with arms down at the side, not hitting any mandatory bodybuilding poses). Retake photos once or twice a month. I wouldn’t do these weekly, since significant visual changes won’t necessarily happen week-to-week.

  • Remind them that there’s more to reaching their goal than just showing up to train for an hour with you. Nutrition is important. Whatever nutrition method you believe in and plan on teaching, make sure they know that they could end up spinning their wheels, wasting time and money, if they don’t put an equal amount of dedication into what they eat.

That’s what I can think of off the top of my head. Definitely shoot up any more questions along the way.[/quote]

Thanks Chris…wait, did you really just call me “Qaashy”? :\

126

Agree with everything Chris said. Also…

Read everything you can.

Take advantage of the fact that you are going to be exposed to a lot of different types of people in your job. Not all will be “hardcore trainees” but IMO it helps you to become comfortable talking to people about what you are passionate about. You will also learn how to correct the mountains of misinformation that is out there.

As for nutrition, I have been successful with taking small steps. For example, you won’t believe how many don’t eat breakfast. Step one, eat breakfast every day. Give small, reachable goals so that there is success reached more frequently.

And along with the tracking advice from Chris, get testimonials from everyone you train.

127

[quote]mahwah wrote:
Agree with everything Chris said. Also…

Read everything you can.

Take advantage of the fact that you are going to be exposed to a lot of different types of people in your job. Not all will be “hardcore trainees” but IMO it helps you to become comfortable talking to people about what you are passionate about. You will also learn how to correct the mountains of misinformation that is out there.

As for nutrition, I have been successful with taking small steps. For example, you won’t believe how many don’t eat breakfast. Step one, eat breakfast every day. Give small, reachable goals so that there is success reached more frequently.

And along with the tracking advice from Chris, get testimonials from everyone you train.
[/quote]

Much appreciated.

128

[quote]Qaash wrote:
…wait, did you really just call me “Qaashy”? :[/quote]

Indeed I did. Meant it endearingly. I guess you could have one free pass to call me “Chrissy” if that’d even things out. :wink:

129

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Qaash wrote:
…wait, did you really just call me “Qaashy”? :\

Indeed I did. Meant it endearingly. I guess you could have one free pass to call me “Chrissy” if that’d even things out. ;)[/quote]

I’ll save that for later. Next question…just how important is your appearance in training someone?

130

[quote]Qaash wrote:
Chris Colucci wrote:
Qaash wrote:
…wait, did you really just call me “Qaashy”? :\

Indeed I did. Meant it endearingly. I guess you could have one free pass to call me “Chrissy” if that’d even things out. :wink:

I’ll save that for later. Next question…just how important is your appearance in training someone? [/quote]

Fortunately if training the average joe then just looking like you workout is good for the first impression. Once you develop rapport then knowledge, experience, and communication become much more important in the hopes that a client stays training with you.

131

Thought I’d jump in an add some thoughts.

Like Chris, I am a Long Island based trainer, mostly in gyms, but have a bit of an online business and occasionally do homes.

While my passion is working with athletes, my bread and butter has always been working with people for fat loss. There are just a lot more fat people than there are athletes, is what it comes down to.

In terms of your appearance…it matters. A lot. If you look fit, you will pick up more business. People want to look at you as a model of what to aspire to. They look for this in certain types of professions more than others. Very rarely to people get tattooed by artists that have no ink. Just doesn’t happen. Training is like that.

A few years ago, there was a discussion here about this topic. One of the things brought up was that the more credentials you have, the less you need to look like you have them. Many Olympic coaches–into whose hands are placed some of the most valuable athletes in the world–don’t look like they work out. And in fact many of them don’t train at all. The fact that the previously achieved some measure of greatness in either coaching or athletics allows them that freedom.

It should also be noted that you don’t have to look or be fit to know what you are doing. Some of the people who have made the greatest contributions to what we do–such as Vlad Zatsiorsky and Mel Siff–looked like math teachers, not weight lifters. But the fact remains that people just walking into a gym want to have a trainer who looks the part.

Being in shape will also help your clients get better results, in my experience. If you look like you follow your own advice, people immediately see you as more knowledgeable (“hey, this guy must know his shit - it’s working!”) and are more likely to stick to your advice more closely.

132

John Roman, you have some good points (and a smokin avi too, it’s distracting a bit though).

The whole image thing in the gym is a tough a call, and worse for girls IMO. I work in a gym that has a women’s only section upstairs and a mixed gum downstairs. Although I have the advantage of working both gyms, it seems that I need to have a different look/image for each. My boss feels that I should get ripped and go for a BBing look, while the manager of the women’s gym would prefer I don’t lift heavy upstairs (I’m a power lifter) and train on the machines. You know, because deadlifting and such is scary shit and girls don’t want to get “too big”. Yeah, I’m 132lb beast.

I think regardless of your “look”, stick to your specialty and create a niche for yourself. I stress to potential clients that I train for performance first. Once you get stronger, faster and better at the program, the whole idea of what the “perfect” body is may change.

I’m still new at this, but I’m sticking to what I know. I’m sure I could follow a BBing program, but I know nothing about that sport (and while I respect the hard work, it does not interest me at all), so having that image would not mean much.

133

[quote]dianab wrote:
John Roman, you have some good points (and a smokin avi too, it’s distracting a bit though).
The whole image thing in the gym is a tough a call, and worse for girls IMO. I work in a gym that has a women’s only section upstairs and a mixed gum downstairs. Although I have the advantage of working both gyms, it seems that I need to have a different look/image for each. My boss feels that I should get ripped and go for a BBing look, while the manager of the women’s gym would prefer I don’t lift heavy upstairs (I’m a power lifter) and train on the machines. You know, because deadlifting and such is scary shit and girls don’t want to get “too big”. Yeah, I’m 132lb beast.
I think regardless of your “look”, stick to your specialty and create a niche for yourself. I stress to potential clients that I train for performance first. Once you get stronger, faster and better at the program, the whole idea of what the “perfect” body is may change.
I’m still new at this, but I’m sticking to what I know. I’m sure I could follow a BBing program, but I know nothing about that sport (and while I respect the hard work, it does not interest me at all), so having that image would not mean much.[/quote]

You raise a good point, I think women are operating at a bit of a disadvantage.

To pick up women clients, you do want to maintain a physique that is a bit more in line with what most women want. Admittedly, a larger musculature–bodybuilding, I guess–is not really the goal for most women. At the same time, I think that looking fit and strong is never a drawback.

In all truth, having worked in gyms for a number of years, and helped a lot of women trainers build impressive businesses, I would tend to agree with the manager of the womens gyms. When you’re in the women only gym, chances are if you stick to doing exercises women recognize, they will feel more comfortable approaching you. If you have access to both gyms, I would shy away from deadlifting in front of women who have never seen a deadlift, and instead do it in the gym where others are doing similar movements. why no just do your cardio and maintenance training in the womens gym?

I mean, don’t get me wrong. If you’re a good trainer, you’ll pick up clients. One of the cool things about training is that the more business you have, the more you pick up. If you are seen training often, more people will inquire about training with you. Whether its just your increased visibility, or the thought process that “if all those other people are training with her, she must be good!” it seems to work out that way.

Also, consider that if you are training 10 people, and the rest of the membership sees all of those 10 people get results and make progress, that has a lot more of an impact on the perception of you as a trainer than if you had just one or two clients making progress.

And thanks for the kind words about the avatar =)

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Great insights everyone…it’s much appreciated.

135

[quote]John Roman wrote:
And thanks for the kind words about the avatar =)
[/quote]

Is that you in the avatar??? Oh my!
<swoon!>

That cannot hurt getting clients.

Sorry for the hijack.

136

[quote]debraD wrote:
John Roman wrote:
And thanks for the kind words about the avatar =)

Is that you in the avatar??? Oh my!
<swoon!>

That cannot hurt getting clients.

Sorry for the hijack.[/quote]

Haha, yes, that is me. I appreciate the compliment. But I try not to make it a habit of walking around topless in an attempt to get clients… You know. Legal stuff and all. ;p

137

I’ll have to go back and read the whole thread, dunno how I missed it. In the meantime…

Does anyone do any training in a group setting? Believe me, it’s not what I thought I’d be doing, but my boss basically decided I’d be teaching a youth weight training class. I have some ideas, but if you guys have any experience with this I’d appreciate some advice!

138

[quote]John Roman wrote:

You raise a good point, I think women are operating at a bit of a disadvantage.

To pick up women clients, you do want to maintain a physique that is a bit more in line with what most women want. Admittedly, a larger musculature–bodybuilding, I guess–is not really the goal for most women. At the same time, I think that looking fit and strong is never a drawback.

In all truth, having worked in gyms for a number of years, and helped a lot of women trainers build impressive businesses, I would tend to agree with the manager of the womens gyms. When you’re in the women only gym, chances are if you stick to doing exercises women recognize, they will feel more comfortable approaching you.

If you have access to both gyms, I would shy away from deadlifting in front of women who have never seen a deadlift, and instead do it in the gym where others are doing similar movements. why no just do your cardio and maintenance training in the womens gym?

I mean, don’t get me wrong. If you’re a good trainer, you’ll pick up clients. One of the cool things about training is that the more business you have, the more you pick up. If you are seen training often, more people will inquire about training with you.

Whether its just your increased visibility, or the thought process that “if all those other people are training with her, she must be good!” it seems to work out that way.

Also, consider that if you are training 10 people, and the rest of the membership sees all of those 10 people get results and make progress, that has a lot more of an impact on the perception of you as a trainer than if you had just one or two clients making progress.

And thanks for the kind words about the avatar =)
[/quote]

I don’t train in the women’s only gym often, due to a lack of equipment for what I’m personally interested in. The management may not like the big lifts, but they are not busting my ass over it too much. I did pick up a client in that gym last week while DLing.

I do see your point though. If I train there, I’ll do lunges LOL. And cardio. So far I’ve yet to attract the strictly “fat loss” crowd. The clients I am working with in the women’s gym are basically younger girls who have lost weight by being cardio bunnies and ended up way to saggy for twenty-somethings.

In your experience, what is the best way for me to increase my male clientele? I have only 1 guy right now and would prefer to work with a few more. I do not want to be labeled as a woman’s trainer only.

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[quote]wfifer wrote:
I’ll have to go back and read the whole thread, dunno how I missed it. In the meantime…

Does anyone do any training in a group setting? Believe me, it’s not what I thought I’d be doing, but my boss basically decided I’d be teaching a youth weight training class. I have some ideas, but if you guys have any experience with this I’d appreciate some advice![/quote]

What size group? Is it for a sport?

Even if not, if you have say 5 high school kids, set up four or five exercises in an area where you can see all lifts.

I’ve done say:

  1. Agility ladder
  2. Cleans
  3. Bench press
  4. Bent over barbell row

The 5th person can spot for the bench and you can mainly watch the kids doing the cleans.

This is just a basic set up. I would pick a goal and use exercises for that goal. Say core or flexibility… you get the idea.

hope this helps
bill

140

Thats not a bad demographic to work with. They get results fast, and are generally pretty motivated, willing to try new things, and usually have a pretty large group of friends/associates you can potentially glean referrals from. Especially when your clients start getting great results and posting pics on facebook! Are you doing mostly hour sessions or half hours with them?

One of the best ways is to try to pick up one or two more men through current client referrals. If you train any married women, you can always plant the seed by saying something like, “bet your husband is gonna be mad when you bench more than him/beat him in a pushup contest/etc!”

Your client will love it, tell her husband, and hopefully it will start a dialogue between you and the client where you have the opportunity to be subtle and suggest training him so he can try it out.

You can also try it to get a referral from your current male clients from one of their friends.

I don’t normally do stuff like that, anymore. But it does work. As a general rule I don’t really like to fish for referrals, but I did it when I was first starting out and I picked up a lot of husband and wife clients.

As an aside, one of the things I always to do is lower the cost per session if I am training more than one person in the household. Doesn’t really hurt me financially, and the difference is probably minimal to the couple, but the gesture is very nice and they will appreciate it.

Another idea is to occasionally schedule your male clients during different gym hours. As you well know, gyms have a morning crowd and an evening crowd, and people tend to come at either one time or the other.

Keep in mind that every time you are training a client, you are advertising your services. So if you normally train you male client in the morning, then all the people who come in the morning know you train men.

But the evening people might not really be aware. Try to see if he’s willing to switch times, or days, or to a weekend every so often, so that more men see that you do indeed train men–and well!

Other than that, you really just have to be patient and let the clients come to you. As I mentioned previously, the more clients you have, the more you tend to pick up. Results will speak for themselves. If you build they will come, and all that jazz.