Are all Personal Trainers “Dysfunctional”?
Ok, ok, before I offend the CPT’s out there, let me explain myself. First, I WANT to become a Certified Personal Trainer, so I may be dysfunctional as well! Or, I’m making a HUGE generalization and I request your patience and forgiveness.
What has prompted this entry, you ask? The fact that in my small, home-town gym, there are three trainers: 1) A female who has competed in bb comps in the past, 2) A male who has also competed, and 3) an older male who ALMOST seems completely normal.
As to our lovely CPT #1, I have trained with her on various occasions throughout my membership at this gym, but not in the last 1 1/2 years. Why? Because she’s so much more interested in gossip, discussing drinking plans for the weekend, who’s dating whom, than in what I am actually needing and/or wanting from my workouts. You cannot get a word in edgewise during your entire hour together, and it’s ALWAYS about said CPT!! She doesn’t wipe down machines after her clients vacate them, she flits about the gym during your session, flirting & chatting with anyone who lets her talk about herself, she welcomes you into HER social circle UNTIL you cease training with her, then she doesn’t even look at you at the gym anymore, just "thru" you, if you know what I mean… I’m assuming you are getting the picture? Crystal clear, huh?
Now, macho CPT #2, is really a piece of work! He’s charming, good-lookin’, your regular "tall, dark & handsome" dude. I have also trained with CPT #2, which entirely pissed off CPT #1, to the point where she quit acknowledging my existence entirely, even though I spoke with her about the switch before I made it. CPT #2 seems to go about the training process correctly, but his personal life gets in the way - waaaayyy too often. He can’t commit to a relationship for more than a week, and, when he does get back together with his on-again/off-again girlfriend OF YEARS, there’s always drama, drama, drama, which he LOVES to share with his clients during the workout. I’m not bashing him nearly as much as CPT #1, because I had decent results while working with him, but c’mon already! Leave the personal stuff where it belongs!
I think I’ll not comment too much on CPT #3, as I don’t see him often anymore, but I can tell you that while he claims to be "engaged" to a fellow gym-goer, if a woman looks at him sideways, he’d take that as an invitation to hit on her…
So, back to my title: ARE all CPT’s dysfunctional? Does it take an arrogant, egotistical, hedonistic personality to succeed in this field? And I do mean SUCCEED! None of the above trainers are hurting for clients and those that are with them, have been with them for YEARS!!
Am I just too sensitive? Expecting more than your average "Joe/Jill Gym-Goer" from my trainer?
I DO want to be certified as a Personal Trainer, but I’m just not sure I meet the prerequisites…
March 10, 2009 at 3:44 pm
This is the problem… SMALL TOWN GYM! You need to go to another gym if you want to bypass all the drama, politics and so forth. Only 3 trainers? I’m sure if there is only 3 trainers there will be all of the previous mentioned.
Also, In the trainers def, I’ve seen them in the gym having to deal with some pretty big morons too. But, in your case I’d say you should go to a bigger gym with more trainers.
March 10, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Learn from what you see and take ALL their clients LOL!!! Then they can talk smack about you!!! The problem with CPT’s is that somebody ALWAYS does it better, or different or whatever. That’s their livleyhood and they always feel that their way is the best way. Just remember "Jesus was PERFECT….And they killed him!!! You can never please everyone!!!
March 10, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Maybe the fact that there are only 3 cpt’s in your area is the reason they’re not hurting for clients. Time for some healthy proffesionaly competition I think, Get certified and take over
March 12, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I agree with watching what those trainers do and don’t do the crap that annoys you. That alone will set you apart from them and you won’t have to worry about taking their clients because those clients will choose to work with you instead,
You also have the benifit of showing your before pictures compared to your current buff/sexy body as a testiment to your abilities.
I say go for it with all the gusto you have put into your training.
March 13, 2009 at 12:48 pm
All very valid replies, guys! I will take all your thoughts into consideration while I hit the books to get certified and knock ‘em dead when I start training. Well……..better not knock ‘em dead, then I’D have the bad rep!! Have a great weekend to EVERYONE!