Q for any Personal Trainers... and all MFP friends

TimeFourMe

Here's the deal.... I love having a personal trainer. My husband gets him twice a week.... me once. This arrangement is working well since I do Zumba at the gym too. My question is this... I LOVE the hour I get but would love a text message a few times a week, or daily, with a fitness goal for the day.... an extra push to do the cardio outside of the gym. I want him to be my personal cheerleader. Is this something I can/should ask him to do? or am I too high-maintenance? ;-)

If I were a personal trainer I would send out inspirational messages to my clients, kudos on eating healthy, ect. We live in a digital world and it would be so easy to send those out. It would also keep your clients feeling charged up and thought about. Going the extra mile means more referrals and makes us clients want to keep you longer. (even though PT time is SOOOO expensive)

neverstray

I think it's a great idea.

Let me say this without trying to intentionally sound negative. I've had my own businesses. Sometimes, when people on the outside, or clients say, "I don't understand why you don't just do this"...there's usually a reason. A good one. But, I'm not saying that's the case here, as it seems like a great idea, as long as people have a quick, easy automated way to unsubscribe from getting those messages.

TimeFourMe

yeah... not all clients would appreciate the extra help.... some might call it nagging and be irritated and quit.

Flixie00

Depends on PT. My PT stops and chats with me if he is free in the gym, and will offer advise if he sees me do something not quite right. You do have to bear in mind that if your trainer is any good, they are going to be busy.

Mathguy1

If your personal trainer has a website, most likely they'll send out "inspirational" emails or post something inspirational on their website.

If you are looking for cell phone to cell phone text messages for inspiration, I doubt many, if any, trainers do that. (I understand that one can send a message from one's email to someone's cell phone).

gsager

That does sound nice but in my experience trainers aren't cheerleaders, they're trainers. It's best to motivate yourself. As you are able to see results that will become easier. Best of luck!

dorothytd

I agree with you. Not even daily, just show some interest in me from time to time. That's why I didn't follow mine when he switched locations, although the sessions were good. But just about all the conversation was about him and his business. And he's never checked to see why I haven't come back. Daily might be a lot unless there is a mass email... But I like communication!!

TimeFourMe

I agree. Just was wondering what other people's experiences were with PT's. Going the extra mile in any business is always appreciated though.

TimeFourMe

to Gsager - Thank you. And yep - no one can do the work for me so I need to be the one motivating myself... and I do. Just love the extra support from MFP and family and anywhere I can get it. ;-)

BenderFitness

I think it just depends on your personal trainer. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't take it personally if he says no. Sending out a mass e-mail only takes seconds, but sending out individualized e-mails to all of his clients, with different goals, (some people want to gain mass, others lose, etc) can actually be quite time consuming.

neverstray

I think it just depends on your personal trainer. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't take it personally if he says no. Sending out a mass e-mail only takes seconds, but sending out individualized e-mails to all of his clients, with different goals, (some people want to gain mass, others lose, etc) can actually be quite time consuming.

^^^ See. That's the insight I was talking about. I hadn't thought about the fact that everyone might have different goals.

TimeFourMe

I think it just depends on your personal trainer. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't take it personally if he says no. Sending out a mass e-mail only takes seconds, but sending out individualized e-mails to all of his clients, with different goals, (some people want to gain mass, others lose, etc) can actually be quite time consuming.

True. Hadn't thought about that. Our situation is exactly that. I am trying to lose and husband is trying to gain muscle. So same message wouldn't work.

SideSteel

I think it just depends on your personal trainer. It doesn't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't take it personally if he says no. Sending out a mass e-mail only takes seconds, but sending out individualized e-mails to all of his clients, with different goals, (some people want to gain mass, others lose, etc) can actually be quite time consuming.

True. Hadn't thought about that. Our situation is exactly that. I am trying to lose and husband is trying to gain muscle. So same message wouldn't work.

As much as you would enjoy this I could see this not being feasible from the trainers standpoint.

TimeFourMe

So how many clients do trainers have on average?

Azdak

So how many clients do trainers have on average?

It depends on the trainer and how they manage their practice. Many trainers (esp new) make the mistake of trying to lower sales resistance by selling 1/2 hour session. The result is that they are soon overloaded with clients.

Even if you are managing 15-20 clients--that's a lot. It's a lot of time--your work day is often not a set block of hours, and you have to be available when clients need you. So a trainer is often working some hours in the morning, then has some open time, then must return in the evening.

It's also a lot of energy--developing workouts and keeping people motivated.

While a trainer might want to use social media or other mass communication to send out the same general motivational messages to all of his of her clients, I think it is impractical to expect a trainer to manage the overall programs of each of their clients.

It's not a bad idea--and I am sure there are some entrepreneurial trainers out there trying to use social media to increase their engagement with their clients. I just think that the average trainer is working too hard to have the time or energy to be that creative.

BelindaDuvessa

Honestly, rather than getting your personal trainer to do this, why not look into some of the many great fitness apps that are out there.

I've used Noom off and on and while I hate their Nutrition Tracker, I can schedule in my workout schedule for the week and it will give me a reminder before the time I have scheduled it for. It also has daily goals and articles to read. It's cute. But, their Nutrition Tracker is estimates. Plus, it groups food into "Good" "Ok" and "Horrible" which I don't 100% agree with some of their ratings on food. But it's not bad for people who are just wanting to get a guesstimate, and definitely better than nothing.

But if you're wanting a cheerleader, especially if he has alot of clients, I would go more for an app. It will at least cater to your goals, some.

If you don't have a smart phone, sparkpeople.com has daily emails you can get. They are more informative than anything most of the time, but just getting the email from a fitness site might be the boost/reminder you need. That's where I started out, and still go daily. I just mainly log my food here.

Dragonnade

My PT always says hi at the gym, and has a chat and eggs me on on the rower and stuff if he has time. He also has a facebook page for him as a PT and he does the mass 'inspirational' posts on that and occasionally comments when I post something about the scales liking me. Perfect balance from my perspective.

LoveMyLife_NYC

Unfortunately, I think that's a lot to ask of your trainer. He only gets paid to help you for the hour that you spend with him, and otherwise, he will be with other clients, at another job, or doing whatever else he is involved in in life.

Mine is awesome when I'm with him, and works closely with me to push me through blocks that I have. He works hard to make sure all my needs are met when we are together, and he knows me really well. I'm sure he has to do that with at least 15 other people throughout the week.

He also asks how I'm doing when he sees me in the gym, or complements me on my form. If I have questions in between sessions, I can always ask him in person or text him. I get a quick and thoughtful response, but I wouldn't expect him to go out of his way to take the initiative to motivate me each day.

TimeFourMe

So how many clients do trainers have on average?

It depends on the trainer and how they manage their practice. Many trainers (esp new) make the mistake of trying to lower sales resistance by selling 1/2 hour session. The result is that they are soon overloaded with clients.

Even if you are managing 15-20 clients--that's a lot. It's a lot of time--your work day is often not a set block of hours, and you have to be available when clients need you. So a trainer is often working some hours in the morning, then has some open time, then must return in the evening.

It's also a lot of energy--developing workouts and keeping people motivated.

While a trainer might want to use social media or other mass communication to send out the same general motivational messages to all of his of her clients, I think it is impractical to expect a trainer to manage the overall programs of each of their clients.

It's not a bad idea--and I am sure there are some entrepreneurial trainers out there trying to use social media to increase their engagement with their clients. I just think that the average trainer is working too hard to have the time or energy to be that creative.

Thank you! Great perspective. I appreciate the your thoughts on this subject. My trainer is constantly keeping things fresh and I really do appreciate it. That is one of the reasons I love those workouts. I would never do the research or have the confidence to do it on my own. I forget that he has to tailor each workout to each individual and that takes time. ;-)

TimeFourMe

Unfortunately, I think that's a lot to ask of your trainer. He only gets paid to help you for the hour that you spend with him, and otherwise, he will be with other clients, at another job, or doing whatever else he is involved in in life.

Mine is awesome when I'm with him, and works closely with me to push me through blocks that I have. He works hard to make sure all my needs are met when we are together, and he knows me really well. I'm sure he has to do that with at least 15 other people throughout the week.

He also asks how I'm doing when he sees me in the gym, or complements me on my form. If I have questions in between sessions, I can always ask him in person or text him. I get a quick and thoughtful response, but I wouldn't expect him to go out of his way to take the initiative to motivate me each day.

I don't expect him to do that... just would love it if he did. Mine does give great positive feedback at the gym and I can text him if I want to.

TimeFourMe

My PT always says hi at the gym, and has a chat and eggs me on on the rower and stuff if he has time. He also has a facebook page for him as a PT and he does the mass 'inspirational' posts on that and occasionally comments when I post something about the scales liking me. Perfect balance from my perspective.

Sounds like you have a great one!

TimeFourMe

Noom

sparkpeople.com

Thanks! Great suggestions.... I am going to look those up and install. ;-)

AdamBellfpt

Hey! I'm currently training to be a PT, but have been training clients for the last 9m. I generally send out at least a few messages a week to clients to see how they are doing. If they seem to benefit I keep going and may even up the messages…if they seem to prefer just a session with me, that's fine too.

I believe that different individuals require different levels of support and it is my job to figure out what they need and do my best to be as supportive as I can.

So after waffling…no i don't think you're being demanding.

BelindaDuvessa

Noom

sparkpeople.com

Thanks! Great suggestions.... I am going to look those up and install. ;-)

Sparkpeople has 2 apps. 1 is to track food, the other is a daily motivational quote and inspirational message. You might want to look into the second one.

DavPul

I would immediately fire a trainer that sent me insprirational messages on a daily basis. That's the reason I only go on Facebook twice a month. Honestly, I'd rather he send me insults.

TimeFourMe

I would immediately fire a trainer that sent me insprirational messages on a daily basis. That's the reason I only go on Facebook twice a month. Honestly, I'd rather he send me insults.

LOL Yes..... my husband would feel the same.

TimeFourMe

Hey! I'm currently training to be a PT, but have been training clients for the last 9m. I generally send out at least a few messages a week to clients to see how they are doing. If they seem to benefit I keep going and may even up the messages…if they seem to prefer just a session with me, that's fine too.

I believe that different individuals require different levels of support and it is my job to figure out what they need and do my best to be as supportive as I can.

So after waffling…no i don't think you're being demanding.

Thank you. I think I will make this a topic at our next workout. See what his thoughts are. He is a new trainer and may or may not be up for it. Don't know till you ask. You sound like a GREAT trainer. Keep it up! ;-) Great personal interest and customer service. Where do you work? ;-)

BinaryPulsar

If I was a personal trainer I would not want to be spending my time on a computer sending out personal e-mails, I'd be focusing on being active for myself and with my clients and on furthering my education. And I would not know what to say without sounding cliche, bleh.