Online Trainers???
I’ve been noticeing lately that there seems to be an explosion of online trainers on the site and it seems everybody is aligning themselves with one or the other and singing their praises. You have team this and team that all telling you how you can turn you’re life around…for a small fee of course.
I myself have been approached by several online trainers through PM’s and friend request.
Now I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I don’t understand how this would work or why someone would pay for online training. I mean why in the world would I pay hundreds of dollars to someone for info I can get from the internet for nothing???
Now I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging but I think I’ve made a pretty amazing transformation and I did it all by researching info (mostly on this site) I got from several sites, from magazines and books, and from talking to actual people who have been there and done that. And I did it all for free. There are tons of info out there for free and all you have to do is put in a little time and effort…no different than the time you might put in at the gym. It’s all part of the process.
Maybe someone can explain something else to me also. Are these online trainers evaluating their clients properly before they prescribe a program??? Do they question you as to any exsisting medical conditions or limitations before they set you up on a program??? These are things a good personal trainer should be and would be considering if you met one in person.
And how can they evaluate you as to form and make sure you’re performing a movement so that you don’t injure yourself or that you’re getting the maximum benfit from the movement when they’re in Florida and your in North Dakota?? If you want to get the most benefit from a personal trainer hire one who can be there with you to help spot you and make sure you perform each exercise properly.
Now I don’t have nothing against someone seeing a need and trying to make a buck. I’m a big supporter of the free enterprise system. Hell if nothing else they are at least getting people up and interested in exercise even if it might just be a placebo effect. But like I said I just don’t understand why someone would pay for something they can get for nothing. To me it’s the equivelent of buying an exercise video or DVD. I mean there are tons of people on this very site who would gladly help you (me being one of them) and not expect a dime so why wouldn’t you take advantage of that?
As for those who have approached me about becomming part of their "TEAM" well all I have to say is, "Where were you 2 years ago when I might have been able to use you?" Where were you when I was a fat slob and making mistakes that lead to injury? Now that I’m actually making excellent progress and have won a contest…NOW you want to help me? NO THANKS! I’ve managed pretty nicely on my own thank you very much so I think I’ll just save my money to buy supplements if it’s all the same to you.
Now if you are currently using an online trainer don’t be hating on me…I’m just offering up an opinion and an alternative. If it’s working for you that’s great and I applaude you for all your success and wish all the best for you. I just happen to think you could have saved yourself a few bucks that’s all.
April 23, 2009 at 5:10 am
I do the same thing,it’s trial and error. I don’t think most people want to take the time to research.
April 23, 2009 at 5:11 am
I totaly agree with you!!! There is workout and meal plan for everyone on the net, you just have to read it and stick to it! Even you don’t have to go far from this site, just opet supersite: training or nutrition and you’ll get everything you need!
April 23, 2009 at 5:11 am
I also wanted to add that a good personal trainer can be invaluable to you in your training but meet one in person who can actually work WITH you and make sure they have the proper credentials before you shell out the bucks!
April 23, 2009 at 5:15 am
Ms.Rock those peaple who don’t want to take time to research wont succeed, cause they don’t have enough mitivation or passion for workout! Get someone’s workout plan and diet is the easiest part! The hard part is stick to it, and that they have to do by theirselfs
April 23, 2009 at 5:17 am
Well, I am thinking of beginning to offer diet plans (for a fee) on this site as well. My opinion is that people should research this stuff on their own, however they do not. I on the other hand have put thousands of hours into reading journals and books, as well as trial and error into my nutritional knowledge. I have come to the conclussion that even people who think they know what they are talking about regarding nutrition are often still making many mistakes. I applaud those who take the initiative and research this for themselves, but I believe others may need additional support. Thank you for your post.
April 23, 2009 at 5:22 am
nice blog and well said.
April 23, 2009 at 5:28 am
I personally use an online trainer. He did send me a questionaire regarding everything from how much water in take in, to hours of sleep, to how many meals, I was currently eating. I also have his e-mail and personal phone number that he can be reached on at any time for questions regarding anything from diet to questions about an excersise. I think if you have done enough without anyone’s help, congrats. But I like the idea of a laid out plan and meal plan, and I dont have the time or knowledge about it to put things together so that they work effectivly. Thanks god for someone that does. Good luck with your goals.
April 23, 2009 at 5:28 am
Like I said I don’t have no problem with someone making a buck. If they have the knowledge and want to charge someone for it then by all means they should do just that. Most people would rather take the easy way out anyway than to do any work on their own. Which to me is kind of sad. I guess what I’m saying is I would rather have that personal touch. Plus I like my money to stay in my pocket as much as possible.
April 23, 2009 at 5:30 am
Over the years I have had numerous trainers the problem is they move on to a farther facility, quit for one reason or another or get so busy they will pass you on. I am not bitter because I have learned something from all of them, but at sometime I would enjoy some continuity.
April 23, 2009 at 5:37 am
Kristilee it sounds like you’ve found a good trainer and I’m glad they have helped you make progress. Any trainer should always ask about your current physical and medical conditions and if they don’t I would suggest moving on to someone else.
April 23, 2009 at 5:42 am
yeah he is pretty awesome!!! Good luck everyone!! Keep working hard. Check ya out later
April 23, 2009 at 5:43 am
Not everyone can figure out a workout that will work for them. So, there’s nothing wrong with looking to someone who has the knowledge to help.
But, finding someone who has your best interests in mind is the trick and I highly DOUBT that many of the trainers soliciting business on this site has that motivation when looking for someone to sign on.
April 23, 2009 at 5:45 am
I couldn’t agree more.. but it really comes down to motivation.. someone might be able to get and keep motivation from reading and researching and trying like a lot of us and some just don’t want to put in the time to learn about themselves as it pertains to fitness.. they pay for "fitness friends" who have the knowledge to at least help them understand a few things, provide them with all the leg work on research and all they have to do is go to the gym with some plan.. and then they are accountable in some way to these online "friends" I’ve helped a few people without cost because not only does talking fitness keep the info fresh, but doing additional research for someone helps me expand my own knowledge, that is my payment, I don’t go crazy with the things I can’t control without being there I just stay on the knowledge side of things.. I present the info and examples to inform someone. It’s as you said, some people are capitalizing on others laziness when it comes to wanting to learn things for themselves about themselves. I’ve learned as have you, that knowledge is the absolute key to any success here and it is indeed sad that a large part of society has no desire to learn…
April 23, 2009 at 5:57 am
Myself I’ve found that it’s helpful to me to share info with others. I love talking fitness and bodybuilding…I’ll do it all day long. It helps me keep my mind in it and focused on what I need to to do and if it helps someone else along the way then that’s a bonus too.
April 23, 2009 at 6:27 am
I couldn’t agree with what you just said, and I thought It was just me and I was obsessed with talking about it and helping others along the way. It makes me proud when I see someone incorporating a movement into their WO that I showed them.
April 23, 2009 at 11:45 am
I’ll play Devil’s Advocate here…
I’ve been asked by a lot of people overtime for help with their workout routines or things they can do to make it better after having invested a lot of hours myself in doing the necessary research, in and out of the gym. Most often of the time when I do take the time to help them develop some sort of plan that will work for them, they usually follow it for about a week or two till they quit and forget like they had ever asked for help in the first place.
So why are they charging? I guess for reasons like that, if a person truly wants to commit to getting help and in-turn helping themselves, then why not pay a small nominal fee for it?
I believe its all relative to the situation one is placed in.
~Jag
April 29, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I’ve wondered about this as well, but my thoughts were somewhat different. I look at some people and think, yes, they have the motivation it takes to succeed, like you, Bryan, or people like Amy Suds who seem to be able to work as hard as necessary to get results. I know she uses an online trainer from her posts and I imagine it is just to help her with the finer points of contest prep- which is what I would need closer to contest time. I don’t really need a trainer to push me as much as give me some wisdom on how to fine tune my particular body and overcome my particular problems (lagging body parts, dropping fat for my body composition (tummy fat as opposed to lower body) and my personal nutritional challenges, etc). Those are things that may or may not be able to be done online (I guess if you take REALLY REALLY good pictures and measurements, but I’m sure it would be a real challenge).
Then there are those people who actually need a trainer with them physically to make sure they eek out those last few reps and don’t quit early and be big wimps. I think if some of these people are using online trainers then they might as well just give their money to ME because it won’t do them any good. It takes a really special kind of person to be able to work out with the intensity needed to completely change your body with no one at all holding you accountable for those last reps, or putting that extra plate on the bar, or even getting your butt to the gym when tyou really don’t feel like it (which is when the REAL progress is made!).
So while I can think of a few instances where an online personal trainer might be an ok way to go- overwhelmingly I don’t think the majority of people can ever benefit from that type of training. And just like the billion dollar diet pills industry proves, some people would rather throw money at something than their blood, sweat, tears and time.
Oh, one more thing (almost hit submit). In some cases I think hiring an online trainer is actually a way to NOT be held accountable and have to work as hard. It is a half-assed attempt at things (OF COURSE THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS!!). If you hired a someone in real life then you would have someone to answer to when you don’t show up, or when you aren’t making progress, etc. Online, if you don’t show up, stop answering your email, or just up and quit, what’s gonna happen? It’s much harder to have to have an answer to a problem then just ignore it.