Trainers Talking Shop

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141

[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[/quote]

Great suggestions. I would add box jumps to that list, as well. Also depending on age and strength levels, rather than bent rows, perhaps some inverted bodyweight rows, working up to pullups. First negative only, then band-assisted, then regular.

142

[quote]John Roman wrote:

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

Great suggestions. I would add box jumps to that list, as well. Also depending on age and strength levels, rather than bent rows, perhaps some inverted bodyweight rows, working up to pullups. First negative only, then band-assisted, then regular. [/quote]

Definitely like the suggestions… It is actually one of the only exercises I do on the smith machine.

Depending on the person I can have them do push ups and rows assisted and I can lower the bar as they get stronger.

The problem is it’s in the other room at my gym so I omitted it. Not good for you because your gym will prob be different. lol

Groups can be intimidating at first but make sure you teach one exercise at a time and add them to circuits after they have the form down. It does make things slow starting but I have found it to be best. Just have the other people doing core or something safe to fill the time at the begining.

143

I was thinking of high school kids cause it was the last group I trained.

I have done younger groups and I do mostly body weight work. I might throw a body bar on their back to do squats so they learn the correct form and they get excited to be “squating”.

144

Thanks for your thoughts, guys!

[quote]BillO21 wrote:
I was thinking of high school kids cause it was the last group I trained.

I have done younger groups and I do mostly body weight work. I might throw a body bar on their back to do squats so they learn the correct form and they get excited to be “squating”.

[/quote]
Yeah, they’re younger–9 to 14. What I should have mentioned earlier is that I’ll be in the group exercise room. I haven’t scoped it out yet, but I think I’m limited to light DBs and med balls. So definitely a lot of bodyweight stuff. The class runs for 17 weeks or thereabout. I feel like I’m going to need to eat up a lot of that time with essentially having the kids run around. =) I just want to make sure it’s all presented in a way that makes it fun.

145

[quote]Qaash wrote:
Next question…just how important is your appearance in training someone? [/quote]

I think we touched on this a few pages back. The most successful trainers in gyms I’ve worked in had what could be described as “above-average, athletic physiques”, rather than looking like a massive offseason bodybuilder or powerlifter.

If you can wear the uniform (usually workout pants and a t-shirt), and you still stand out from the average gym crowd, you’re fine.

Another thing to consider, not just the physique, but your performance. If you get winded after a light jog or if you’re significantly inflexible, that puts doubt into the client’s mind. “He wants me to do this, but it’s tough for him?”

And related to this, never, ever, never, never, ever teach a new exercise you just learned the day before. You need to know it backwards and forwards, so it doesn’t seem like you’re learning as you go.

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Like Chris, I am a Long Island based trainer[/quote]

I knew I recognized those abs. Okay, no, just kidding. But hi, small world, ain’t it.

146

[quote] I just want to make sure it’s all presented in a way that makes it fun.
[/quote]

Being that you are working with a younger crowd, you’ll probably do a lot of bodyweight stuff. You can try a density approach. See how many pushups, pull-ups, etc they can do in a set amount of time, then have them try to beat it. Invariably, they will end up competing with one another.

Obviously you have to watch a little closer to make sure form does not degrade too much, but it will help get them more interested in the performance aspect of training, and have some fitness benefits as well.

147

[quote]wfifer wrote:
Yeah, they’re younger–9 to 14. What I should have mentioned earlier is that I’ll be in the group exercise room. I haven’t scoped it out yet, but I think I’m limited to light DBs and med balls.[/quote]

In addition to bodyweight exercises (like my favorite plan, 2 sets of their age in reps for basic calisthenics), mini-strongman stuff works great. They’re full-body exercises that feel like work. All sorts of carries (medicine ball, overhead, farmer’s walks) for time or distance, medicine ball throws, any big movements.

Thinking out loud here… but how about a game of “Clean up the gym.” Break the class into teams of two or three. Teams work against the clock to move all of the dumbbells and/or medicine balls from where ever they’re stored to one big pile in a corner of the room. Repeat with each team, see who gets the best time.

Supervise for safety, of course, and don’t allow throwing the weights. But that’s just one outside-the-box idea you could whip up.

I’d consider team competitions rather than individual. Keeps it exciting, but takes the “blame” off anyone who under-performs.

For more ideas, read up on your Dan John:

148

[quote]
I knew I recognized those abs. Okay, no, just kidding. But hi, small world, ain’t it.[/quote]

Once again, my abs’ reputation preceeds me. Fie!

Small world indeed! What town do you train out of?

149

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Qaash wrote:
Next question…just how important is your appearance in training someone?

I think we touched on this a few pages back. The most successful trainers in gyms I’ve worked in had what could be described as “above-average, athletic physiques”, rather than looking like a massive offseason bodybuilder or powerlifter.

If you can wear the uniform (usually workout pants and a t-shirt), and you still stand out from the average gym crowd, you’re fine.

Another thing to consider, not just the physique, but your performance. If you get winded after a light jog or if you’re significantly inflexible, that puts doubt into the client’s mind. “He wants me to do this, but it’s tough for him?”[/quote]

I definitely agree. I’ll be increasing my cardio and conditioning. My worry is my lack of athletics background…I’ve had boxing training & martial arts but not enough to instruct others.

That’s what I’ve thought about when it comes to stretching someone else. Fortunately Bally’s offer certifications in that.

[quote]John Roman wrote:
Like Chris, I am a Long Island based trainer

I knew I recognized those abs. Okay, no, just kidding. But hi, small world, ain’t it.[/quote]

150

This thread is awesome!

Hi,
My name is Betty and I am a Personal Trainer, :stuck_out_tongue: I just earned my cert a few months ago actually.

I’m currently working on my 'lifestyle and weight management cert’as well…which is really funny to me, because I’m trying to LOSE weight and have been for awhile…and I’ve never even maintained my own weight(for long anyway), so this should be interesting…LOL!

So, I’m using this year to be about ME! I’m getting healthier and stronger everyday, inside and out…By the fall at least, I hope to be in a place where I can actually start training people…the talk about looking(and being) the part really struck a chord with me, cause that’s exactly where I’m at right now!

151

[quote]Qaash wrote:
I’ve had boxing training & martial arts but not enough to instruct others.[/quote]

If you wanted to brush up on your boxing/martial arts, so that you were comfortable teaching the jab, cross, front kick, roundhouse kick, you could get some hand pads and gloves, and… boom… you’ve got an innovative cardio workout for your clients only. It was a guaranteed eye-catcher and conversation starter, whenever I had someone hitting the pads in the gym.

Just make sure you keep an eye on the pads at all times, or else they’ll “wander” off, and the rule is that only you hold the pads, nobody else, to minimize liability. (Actually, I’m not sure if the idea would even fly in a Bally’s, but it’s something to keep in mind.)

152

[quote]mom-in-MD wrote:
Hi, My name is Betty and I am a Personal Trainer, :stuck_out_tongue: I just earned my cert a few months ago actually.

I’m currently working on my 'lifestyle and weight management cert’as well[/quote]

Are you looking to really get into the field, or are you just educating yourself in general?

Sounds like a plan. I suggest you take some before pics now, so that when you get into wicked shape (and you will get into wicked shape, right?), you can show them to ladies (or guys) as evidence of your training know-how.

I think it’s definitely going to help your training business if you get closer to your own goals before seeking clients.

153

This is what I want.I’ve always had an interest in wanting to help people in some way, and I’ve always known I wanted to do something in the health field, so it’s a good fit! Im currently working on my degree for Sports Management, so I can work behind the scenes as well.

Absolutely have been taking pictures! And yes, I plan on getting in [i]wicked[/] shape :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Thanks Chris. :slight_smile:

154

Chris and John, thank you guys so much! Awesome ideas.

155

[quote]wfifer wrote:
Chris and John, thank you guys so much! Awesome ideas. [/quote]

Anytime, always happy to help. Let us know how the groups go.

Also, you may want to send Cressey a PM about this. He does a lot of small groups, I know he will have some great ideas.

156

So today I filled out my paperwork and will officially be an employee of Bally Total Fitness. And I’m already getting hits of very different philosophical differences on training. So far, I’ve been told that they don’t like PT’s training clients in the free weight area? Anyone else get this when they started?

157

Do you think I could be a PT while in college? Or would I not have enough time for both?

I’m still in high school now. I already feel like the trainer for the football team, at least the big lineman types like me.

The program we were given looks like this:

mon/fri
bench (pyramid)
squat (pyramid)
bar curls (3x10)
tricep pushdowns (3x10)
lat row machine (3x10)
db shrugs (2x15)

wed
incline bench (3x10)
step ups (2x15)
pullover machine (2x15)
lat pulldowns (3x10)
cleans from the hang (2x6)
leg extensions (3x10)

I don’t really follow that though. Instead of pushdowns, I have my group doing skull crushers. I replaced the row machine with renegade rows. I added clean and jerk (5x3) to monday and friday. I said fuck step ups and got us started on deadlifts on wednesdays, and I added some forearm work to finish up.

We’ve been having pretty good results lately. What do you think?

158

[quote]Qaash wrote:
So far, I’ve been told that they don’t like PT’s training clients in the free weight area? Anyone else get this when they started? [/quote]

Say what now? I’ve never worked in a Bally’s, and the commercial gyms I have worked in had more of a “keep the clients happy and get the clients results”-mindset. Ya know, the outlook that’s actually effective.

I’d see if you can get an exact reason why not, and clarify if the stance is “the management/gym owners don’t like it,” “the head trainer/other trainers don’t like it,” or “you’re flat-out not allowed to do it.”

If it’s the third, I guess you’ll have to adapt your methods, which sucks. If it’s the first or second, it’s up to you, but I’d rather have some tension with my co-workers, while earning myself (and the gym) money by working with clients.

159

[quote]NickRageSkursky wrote:
Do you think I could be a PT while in college? Or would I not have enough time for both?[/quote]

Yes, you could do it if you wanted to. People “somehow” manage to have full-time jobs while attending college.

[quote]mon/fri
bench (pyramid)
squat (pyramid)
bar curls (3x10)
tricep pushdowns (3x10)
lat row machine (3x10)
db shrugs (2x15)

wed
incline bench (3x10)
step ups (2x15)
pullover machine (2x15)
lat pulldowns (3x10)
cleans from the hang (2x6)
leg extensions (3x10)

Instead of pushdowns, I have my group doing skull crushers.[/quote]

Why? Skullcrushers and pushdowns are pretty much in the same category. You’re not really gaining anything by the substitution, it’s like swapping green apples for red apples, which is fine if that’s your preference.

Why? Renegade rows are a solid exercise, but after the bench press, squats, clean and jerks, and arm work, I’m wondering if some might be too fatigued to get enough out of them.

One more time, why? And why on Monday/Friday instead of Wednesday when you’re already working the clean?

Fuck step-ups, but not fuck pullovers or fuck leg extensions? Alrighty. Deadlifts are crucial and should probably be in there somewhere, but you removed the only unilateral exercise in the entire program. Unilateral exercises are even more important for athletes than they are for recreational lifters.

And here’s one more question: Do any of your football players have hamstrings or glutes? Because looking at this program, I’d guess they don’t.

I have no problem with this.

Just realize that I’m legitimately (not rhetorically) asking why. If you can justify your reasoning, I’m fine with it. Hey, they’re your “clients,” not mine. :wink:

Plus, that’ll be another step on your path to being an actual trainer - knowing why and not just how.

160

[quote]Chris Colucci wrote:
Qaash wrote:
So far, I’ve been told that they don’t like PT’s training clients in the free weight area? Anyone else get this when they started?

Say what now? I’ve never worked in a Bally’s, and the commercial gyms I have worked in had more of a “keep the clients happy and get the clients results”-mindset. Ya know, the outlook that’s actually effective.

I’d see if you can get an exact reason why not, and clarify if the stance is “the management/gym owners don’t like it,” “the head trainer/other trainers don’t like it,” or “you’re flat-out not allowed to do it.”

If it’s the third, I guess you’ll have to adapt your methods, which sucks. If it’s the first or second, it’s up to you, but I’d rather have some tension with my co-workers, while earning myself (and the gym) money by working with clients.[/quote]

I’m hoping it’s either of the first two…the third will make life very difficult.