After many years of educating myself, research and trail and error in my own fitness program it shocks me to know that some trainers go home and watch you tube or the biggest loser to get your workout for the next day.
What ever happened to knowing your client and helping them reach "their" goals? Just because the super angry trainer on TV does it doesn't mean it is suited for your client. Your trainer should take the time to listen to you and know what your goals are before they start throwing a bunch of exercises together. Your trainer should take the time to explain to you the process and the method of which he/she is going to get you to your goal. They should also be able to explain how each exercise is related to your program. Pushing crap across the floor, swinging heavy kettle bells or crawling across the room may not be for you at all. Now I know I can't sit in on every conversation with a trainer but I have to ask why a 60 year old woman needs to be moving furniture all over the gym. I'm all for strengthening the body for everyday activities but treating your client like an NFL player in pre season training is just ridiculous.
What should you be looking for in your trainer? I know I have written about this before but I gotta ask why some clients don't wonder what the hell is going on. I've come up with a couple of things to look out for when working with your trainer.
1.) knowledge is key.
If you take a look around the gym or even at your own trainer you will see that the very trainers with the least knowledge tend to prescribe the most complicated training plans, with stupid numbers of exercises. If you are doing much more than 4 or 5 exercises in your main program (not including warm up), your trainer more then likely does not know too much about training.
2.) I saw this last night.
If your trainer comes to you and says I saw this exercise last night on the biggest loser or they watched this video on you tube then I suggest you run. I have always been a big believer in incorporating anything new into my own routine first. I want to know how to do the exercise right, wrong, where to feel it and where not to feel it so that it can be adjusted accordingly. If I feel that doing sprints up and down the street don't apply to my client with obvious knee issues who just wants to lose 10 lbs then I won't.
3.) Pay attention to me.
You have probably seen this many of times or even asked yourself, is my trainer even paying attention? It's nauseating to see a client doing step ups on an unstable bench with 45 lbs dumbbells in each hand while their trainer is in full on conversation with someone else or watching the TV. To top it off if you have to ask yourself why do my knees hurt so much, then something is wrong here. Make sure your trainer not only pays attention to you while you work out but also pays attention to your wants and needs as well as listens when you tell them you are hurting. When you have obvious joint pain, something is wrong and your trainer should stop readjust or find you a better suited exercise NOT tell you to work through it.
4.) What about my health.
Your trainer should always ask the medical questions first before you start any training program. They should ask not only for you but for themselves. There are so many exercises that individuals with certain conditions should stay away from. Your trainer should have enough know how to deal with medical conditions or help you rebuild you torn or weak rotator. Doing bench press over and over again with a shoulder injury isn't going to get you anywhere. It seems to not only be injuries but conditions like blood pressure, heart conditions and blood sugar. If your trainer thinks its funny that you need to run to the washroom to throw up and they think everyone should be worked to the point of nausea then you have to ask yourself is this right. The load is obviously too much for your physical condition and you should slow down and increase gradually until you are fit enough to handle such workouts. Doing exercises such as wall sits when you have high blood pressure is one of the worst things you can do. The increase in muscle tension due to the hold will raise your blood pressure and make you feel sick or you could pass out.
I could continue on for days about stupid things that trainers do and don't get me wrong there are some very good trainers out there but you need to ask your trainer and yourself "is this the right program for me".
I understand that when you start with a trainer you are putting your trust in them that they know what they are doing. Unless your goals relate to your program and your trainer can give you a good explanation on why you are running around with a bungee cord strapped to your back then I suggest you take some time to evaluate your trainer.
Lastly if your trainer gets all of your workouts from you tube or the biggest loser find a new trainer. They obviously aren't taking your goals, wants and best interest into consideration. They are more then likely and trust me I see it all day doing the same "program" with every client all day long. You are an individual and that's what training is all about individual specific programs.
Be safe, and enjoy your workouts
JJ Confalone
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