Well I don’t know in what section of T-Nation to put this so I will put it here.
So what makes a good trainer or a good strength coach? I want to become a personal trainer this is the job I want to do, I love it. But reading the post here on T-Nation made me have doubts in my head about my capacities to do it.
A lot, and I mean a LOT, of people keep saying that there aren’t many good coach or trainer out there, that gyms are filled with bad trainers.
So what makes a good trainers then?
What should I aim for? What can I do to be amongst the best? And what should I watch for?
Just because there are a lot of bad trainers out there doesn’t mean you can’t strive to be one of the good guys. There are a lot of great trainers and coaches walking around. To separate yourself from the run of mill clowns in the commercial gyms you need to learn as much as possible about physiology and nutrition. Combine that knowledge with good motivational skills and good planning skills and you’re on your way. experience counts for a lot as well
You read. I cant tell you how many trainers I have talked to that havent even vaguely heard of Supertraining by Mel Siff.
The other poster was spot on. You have doubts about yourself, your knowledge etc… Not necessarily in comparison to other trainers but relative to what you know you should, or want to know.
There was a post like this a week or so ago. Alot of people said it is important for your client to enjoy the time the spend with you, and this is true, but it should be a byproduct of your quality product not a goal.
A good trainer needs to be able to tell a client when he’s doing poorly.
There’s this one trainer at the Y who I’ve observed with new clients, and he’s terrible. They do things with bad form and he doesn’t correct them; guess he’s afraid of losing their business if he’s too mean.