What do you look for in a Personal Trainer?

BoxingCoachMo

Hi guys

I am looking to get into personal training and have done some to see if i have any talent. I have not had any negative comments so far, but have had constructive feedback.

May i ask what you would expect from a trainer?

-Appearance?
-Experience?
-Manners?
-Organised?
-Timekeeping?

I'll post this in the main forum too, i am just looking for feedback.

MrsRachyx

For me, I like my trainer to look good, be confident, honest and to the point.
Being on time and having good people skills is definately a factor too! Hope that helps

nniimmcckk

Not to get easily distracted by others in the gym, PT's focus should be solely on their client.
To look healthy and strong
Enthusiastic and innovative, fresh ideas.
Outdoor training
Knowledgable and up to date with anatomy, nutrition and exercise
Talkative and friendly
An Adonis??

ChristineDiet

Appearance - has to look the part!
Experience - to have a science background, nutrition as well as how the body works, perhaps and/or personal experience
Manners - down to earth, always polite, always motivating, always calm
Organised - totally - this shows dedication and commitment (food plans/workout plans done, rather than saying I'll get them for you over the next couple of weeks - if you haven't got something - don't mention it!)
Manners - ALWAYS, polite, positive, optimistic, reassuring - NEVER insult - they are paying you!
I think the key is to remember things that the client has said, understand what their goals are and why - remember them, refer back to them, when it gets hard! ALWAYS be positive, optimistic - YOU CAN DO THIS! YOU'RE DOING GREAT!

Mo - I'm sure with your determination and personality you will be great - just make sure your super organised.

Good luck. x

BoxingCoachMo

Thanks for the feedback so far.

BoxingCoachMo

He has to be good looking i guess too. In my gym all the trainers are male.

Do females prefer males?

_HeathBar_

Hot body and loose morals.

Fitness knowledge is also appreciated.

Abells

Gotta look good -- I wont get trained from someone not in shape

Also - has to be motivational, push me even if I dont want to do the exercise

Abells

He has to be good looking i guess too. In my gym all the trainers are male.

Do females prefer males?

I believe it creates eye-candy. Who wouldn't want to try and impress a hot trainer -- just saying... and being honest

MotorCityFemmeFatale

I prefer a male trainer. I look for someone who has successfully competed or trains those who have or are competing.

If I had not gone the comp route to begin with, I would still prefer a male and would look for someone who looks fit and is personable.

kimberly0416

For me personally, changing up the routine I get bored very easily and like to do exercises that work multiples instead of one. Also not shy about correcting my form to the point of obsessive so when he isn't around I am doing it correctly.

-Appearance?
Obviously in shape
-Experience?
I hope so
-Manners?
Respectful
-Organised?
Yes or how can the teach me?
-Timekeeping?

Jersey_Devil

male, person who just clicks with my personality, someone who kicks my *kitten* and is informative, someone who who is in shape themselves.

jenkinsjerry

Cost -- $80+ an hour in this economy? In any economy? Never

Agenda -- Each time I've used a PT, I spend the next 3-4 days not being able to do anything. Why can't they "ramp us into" their new techniques and approaches. Not helpful to punish someone for that $80...

themommie

I would want someone who encourages me to go farther even when I dont want to but not in an aggressive or overbearing way

someone who listens to what i want and my concerns, doesnt have their own agenda or a generic workout they use on most of their clients

Jeff92se

Someone that understands my goals and knows how to train me to achieve them.

Not someone that will put me though some cookie cutter routine.

em435

Hot body and loose morals.

Fitness knowledge is also appreciated.

:laugh:

kristilovescake

I want a personal trainer to kick my *kitten* and make me work out harder than I think I can do. I've had just a couple of different trainers, but my last trainer would push me further than I think I could and she is an awesome trainer (I'm just too cheap to see her more - boo).

Other perks that make an awesome trainer (IMO):
-Focus on the client only and not chat with other people during "their" time. They're paying usually quite a bit of money to see you, don't waste their money.
-My trainer offers discounted group boot camp classes that are awesome and affordable ($10 per session instead of the normal fee). It was fun to be in a group setting and have an affordable way of getting to see her.
-Having a nutrition background or being very knowledgeable is important; some trainers spout out the standard "buy this protein shake and drink it before and after a workout" when they don't know how much protein the client really needs. Explain to the client why they need more protein and the benefits of it instead of just saying "drink this".
-Being able to mix it up for different clients is very important; many clients have injuries or are too overweight to do normal exercises and want to know what they can do without hurting themselves.
-Being helpful and not degrading, have a great helpful attitude and patience (which is a no-brainer). I don't know squat about certain exercises or machines and I don't want to feel like a moron if you have to show me the exercise twice (or three times).

I'm an exercise newbie and my trainer was great with me when she would show me different exercises and have me try new things. Newbies definitely want someone to hold their hand to get them started, push them to get better, and educate them.

RunningMama1276

He has to be good looking i guess too. In my gym all the trainers are male.

Do females prefer males?

Being an ex-personal trainer, I would say it just depends. Even though I used to be a trainer, I am going to a trainer right now. As first I thought I wanted to be with a female but after observing the female trainers at my gym, I did not feel any of them would give me the kind of training I wanted. I did not want to be "stuck" on machines. I wanted to be working on a lot of core, functional training...doing new, fun, and innovative workouts.

If it is a female that is brand new to exercise...they are the ones that my experience showed they were more inclined to want a female. Women trust women (typically)...and they are afraid that men will push them harder than they are capable at that time.

amyy902

im a PT, come train with me!

BoxingCoachMo

im a PT, come train with me!

Nice plug. What course did you do to become one?

BeccaLevine

Well, I have a personal trainer and I absolutely love him.

I think #1 most important thing is that you yourself are in GREAT SHAPE! Before I started working with my trainer now I was paired with a guy who was not in shape at all..looking at him did not inspire me to get in shape!

Also, have great people skills. I love how my trainer can talk my ear off and carry on convo's with me while I'm working so I get caught up in the convo and before I know it I'm done with my set! And it's good to pay attention to stories or things your clients tell you because it feels great to talk to him and he can remember everything about me that I've told him.

Of course, be on time. They are paying you big money! Sometimes people are late, that's fine, if that's the case, agree to stay longer that day..or meet them 15 minutes earlier the next appointment! Keep them happy, they can easily drop you!

Teach your clients things they can do on their own too!

Finally, as a girl, it's refreshing to not have a creeper for a trainer. I know a lot of men can't help themselves, but don't look at your female clients like a piece of meat, make them comfortable. Trainer/client relationships require trust! They are trusting you to help get them in shape!

Hope that helps!

simplyeater

1) Organized for sure. They should come to your 1st session ( the one after your initial assessment) with a plan in hand.
2) They should have a large repertoire so you can mix it up and not get bored.
3) They should be attentive and ask you your goals, and about any health issues you may have.
4) I personally like them to be encouraging but not overbearing (I am in weight-loss mode not get-ripped mode though so that may change eventually).
5) Professional - look, dress and act like a trainer
6) Leave the nutritional info to the experts - trainers are not nutritionists and shouldn't act like them unless they have the certification. Otherwise they're just another person with an opinion on what you should/should not be doing.

bunsen_honeydew

"hotness" and "attractiveness" is so subjective - I don't expect a PT to be good-looking!! Just for him/her to know the stuff and be able to create an appropriate exercise plan for me. A really positive attitude is important, especially when I started out I was very unfit and my PT could always find exercises that were accessible at my level

juliekbwell

I think they're a waste of money, unless you really NEED someone to tell you what to do.

I've lost 37.5 lbs. in 15 weeks through healthy eating and exercise (my own made-up routine).

If I WERE to look for one, someone who looks like they are healthy & seem knowledgable right off the bat.

BeccaLevine

I think they're a waste of money, unless you really NEED someone to tell you what to do.

I've lost 37.5 lbs. in 15 weeks through healthy eating and exercise (my own made-up routine).

If I WERE to look for one, someone who looks like they are healthy & seem knowledgable right off the bat.

Totally disagree. My trainer has taught me so much about fitness, and it helps to have someone motivate you and keep you accountable. I wouldn't have made my progress without the help of my trainer. But of course, not everyone is going to end up with a great trainer! They are expensive, so if you don't like your trainer, jump around until you find a good one!

BoxingCoachMo

A trainer will teach you little adjustments to simple moves to make them more effective.


For example, I thought I knew how to squat and deadlift but nope i didn't, i had to make a few adjustments and my pt told me about them.

I'm loving the feedback to this topic so far. It has been really helpful

pearsy67

"What do you look for in a Personal Trainer?"
Personality compatibility, I spent a long time knowing, but not doing. My trainer is a very good personal fit with me, while he is a semi professional triathlete and I am a fat IT guy, he has that ability to understand the journey I am on.
It is a given that he needs to be able to show me the right techniques and be able to teach them to me, but it is a collaboration I was looking for to get fit and Tim has proved to be that partner. It is not cheap, but my life transformation is worth it.
I would not bother with a trainer who didn't understand what I wanted to achieve and why.
There are many PTs out there that can use gym equipment and just tell you to push harder or don't quit, but it is the rare one that actually support you as a person, not just as a client.

If you want to be a PT look the part, don't be sleezy and know what what you are doing in the gym.

If you want to be a good PT, instruct them on equipment, guide their nutrition, be innovative and broaden their exercise horizons in the gym and outside the gym.

To be a great PT you have to be able to support the person, not just the body. Talk to them about their past, why they are like they are. A great PT is part therapist/confessor as well.

My $0.02
Cheers

BecsWeeble

I'm probably one of the largest people here to post and I guess as a big girl, arranging to see a PT drums up all kinds of anxieties, despite having had a PT until recently.

One of several gyms I know of, unofficially divides it's clients sort of along the lines of: PT1 - Female eye candy PT2 - Athletes, extreme fitness and PT3 - Challenges (that includes, extreme weight loss, medical conditions etc.

From a larger girl's prespective and someone who has Neurological problems and is on long term Steroid treatment I would obviously need a trainer who fits in with PT3, I would want someone who sees me as a challenge, who's willing to get around the obstacles instead of wishing to be PT1 or PT2, I would and have put in the work my end, I would want a PT put in the work too.

Becs

monty619

if i were you... i would join a crossfit gym just for someone to teach you how to do those powerlifts and other exercises properly and then once you understand how to do them leave and join a regular gym. otherwise trainers are pointless. if personal motivation is what you need then by all means hire a trainer. but to be completely honest all the information you need to know is on the internet besides someone personally showing you how to do potentially dangerous exercises that need teaching, such as deadlifts, cleans, squats, bench, etc. you will just be wasting money while a trainer has you do some outlandish exercise that makes you think you need him in order to have success in the mirror.

r1ghtpath

my personal trainer is a woman. i specifically chose her because of her body. it's amazing! she has the best butt i have ever seen!!

we met for an hour and she took lots of notes, was very professional and seemed to be knowledgable in things that concern me.

she told me to come in several times ( at no cost) so that i could try working out with her and she could see where i was. it was an amazing work out!!! she definitely pushed me WAY past my comfort zone!!!


i don't know if i could have a male trainer........ the gym certainly does have a lot of them though!!!! :-)

HorrorChix89

I think they're a waste of money, unless you really NEED someone to tell you what to do.

I've lost 37.5 lbs. in 15 weeks through healthy eating and exercise (my own made-up routine).

If I WERE to look for one, someone who looks like they are healthy & seem knowledgable right off the bat.

I agree. I already pay monthly for the gym and I have a free workout plan setup by my gym. I don't need some guy yelling at me or getting frustrated when I do something wrong. And I be damned if someone tells me to do a damn burpee