Quality of your trainer?
Ok, I use to train people. Mostly as a hobby or side job. Not my full time career. I didn’t want money and the stress of making a living to interfer with my ability to train. When I trained in the past, it was all about that person. Making them the best they can be. EVERY one of them said I was the best trainer, workout partner, coach they ever had. It was all about: educating, nutrition, body mechanics, form, safety, motivation, accomplishment, self esteem, and lifestyle. And noticable progress could be see in the first month. Continued progress was noticed by friends and those around. Many times have people approach me or the person I was training to ask if they were taking steriods. SERIOUSLY. Like I said, making them the very best they can be. My quality as a educator and workout partner has even caused my gym membership to be threatened by the management.
So there is this trainer, going to the police accademy, goes out drinking with an old buddy. Trashed, then decides to drive somewhere else for more alcohol. Gets busted for DUI. Gets booted from the accademy for breaking the law. Blames the police accademy for screwing him over. As he is telling everyone at the gym, never once did I hear: "I screwed up" or take any responsibility for his own actions. I understand that is his personal life and should have nothing to do with the ability to train people effectively.
So this training is working with someone. Lets say, Mr. X. Mr X has not shown any visible progress in months. Mr X complains to other members that he spent a weekend drinking with his trainer and blew his entire paycheck drinking. Not once but many times Mr X stated to others that his trainer can really drink blows through all of Mr X’s money when they hang out. - Would be one thing to say this about some unfocused, immature kid. But these are two adults.
I wouldn’t want this for a trainer. Anyone who doesn’t demand the best out of me as a friend isn’t really my friend.
Please help me, am I wrong?
July 31, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Okay, you’re not entirely wrong.
You may have trained people, but it doesn’t read like you were a trainer in the same sense of the others you are describing. I found independent trainers have different mindsets, especially if they work with particular needs clients (heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, etc.), where they cover multiple areas of their lives and habits but also give them the confidence and tools to continue working alone. Your membership was likely threatened because by educating others you were taking a source of revenue away from your gym.
I think it’s cool you have standards which surpasses the trainers at your gym. Just don’t let it drive you bananas when they don’t meet them.
As for Mr. X., I don’t think he was a smart consumer. Maybe he got paired up with the wrong trainer – which happens a lot when people don’t know what they want (training style, level of certification and involvement) – but he clearly forgot he is paying for a service. If a trainer is ineffective and is turning what should be a professional relationship into a personal one, then Mr. X. needs to bring his concerns to the manager/coordinator and get another trainer or a refund. (Mr. X. will wish he did this later on when the trainer blames him for his lack of results…)
July 31, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Sorry, I have not received any payment for any training I have done since leaving Hawaii and moving back to Pennsylvania. So legally, I have to say that I worked out with these people, spotted these people, and trained WITH these people. I have been approached by the management of the gym I work out at several times. They threatened to kick me out, ban me from the gym, revoke my membership. I have to say I am not training these guys nor have I received any compensation for working out with these guys. It got so back that I carried around my cell phone which has a "memo" recording button to record the harrassment I was receiving.
A lot of the trainers at this gym have a weekend class to be certified and get paid $6.00 a session by the gym. They charge the client $25.00 - $60.00 a session. I have been training or over six years. I have a degree of nutrition from University of Florida. I have been a part of the sport nutrition industry for 8 years. 6 years with Vitamin Shoppe industries and 2 years with GNC (the worse decision of my life). Currently in the medical profession, I know when I see bad training. This is the same trainer that had a post shoulder surgery patient doing clean and jerks with dumbbells. The client was told that this will build up the muscle and strength around the wound. The client ended up back in surgery.
August 3, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Okay, now I get why these people get under your skin. Some gyms have substandard trainers and they care more about getting money instead of their member’s/client’s safety. You’re gonna keep getting the ol’ stinkeye from them; I’d continue recording their harassment if I were you.