Trainer vs. Trainee

What constitutes a good trainer?

A good trainer is one who is knowledgeable, personable, versatile, and genuinely interested in delivering results for the client. Punctual and responsible is a must in any service, not just for trainers.

A great trainer is one who's intuitive, comprehensive, supportive and empowering, in addition to having good trainer traits.


What constitutes a good client?

A good client is one who's honest and somewhat educated, has reasonable expectations and gives due diligence relevant to his or her goals. Respectful and dedicated is a must, not just as a client but as a successful and grown up person....


Where do trainers go wrong?

Not listening and properly evaluating the client, indulging the client with their erroneous believes and routines, not being there for them 100%, not adapting to each individual need and goal as a professional, and just simply not having adequate and up to date, comprehensive knowledge to pass on.


Where do clients go wrong?

Not being open and realistic, not being dedicated and focused, not being responsible.

Having long term believes that are counterproductive to their progress, such as: "If I work out I can eat anything" and "Cardio is 20-30 minutes on a cardio machine" and "Weight lifting is going around and using the different machines" and "Training times are not so important, I can skip one or two a week" and "I can spot reduce with the right exercises" and "I can do Pilates to be lean and feminine" and the list goes on and on, just as many of my previous entries tell.


What's the solution?

Have higher standards for trainer qualification, have continuous tests, written and practical for the "old timers" and the "arm curlers".

Educate trainers better on client evaluation and program design, and include some physical therapy stuff to be familiar with injury recovery, or training with prior injuries.

Have aptitude tests for trainers, not just to be qualified by the book, but as a person and character and educator.

Give seminars about the principals of fitness and training instead of just trying to sell training packages; educate potential clients!

Make training more affordable and in a different format so more gym goers can have access to proper training and education.


Why am I talking about this?

Becaaaaaaaaause, I see so much WRONG around me and I feel powerless, trying to address it all. I have a genuine concern for the well being of people in general, and I recognize the importance of my profession; it is extremely sensitive and delicate to have someone rely on us to make lifelong changes and learn the right things to care for their bodies! It is, in a way, as or more important than having a good doctor! A doctor may not impact your life for the long term, but as fitness professionals, we can make or break someone's future and influence their life through their physical well being and likes and dislikes, general knowledge and interest, routines and habits and visions and decisions. So why the low standards and high prices?

Well, this is my rant for the holidays, I wow to become a better person, trainer, and yeah, wife, for the next year, I hope you have set your goals for improvements as well. Be patient, be kind and don't overeat!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS!