How to interview a trainer. . .?

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closetlibrarian
closetlibrarian Posts: 2,207 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I realized recently that I've been wimpy about making progress on weightlifting goals due to fear of injuring myself because of bad form; there's only so much you can learn on youtube, after all. I'm thinking to splash out for a trainer just to teach me how to do things properly. Thoughts on how to interview a trainer for work involving free weights?

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  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    if the trainer is a competitive power lifter, then they probably understand good form. If not it's going to be hit or miss. If I were to get a trainer I would find a certified Starting Strength coach, they're pretty much guaranteed to know what they're doing. http://startingstrength.com/site/coaching
  • closetlibrarian
    closetlibrarian Posts: 2,207 Member
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    galgenstrick wrote: »
    if the trainer is a competitive power lifter, then they probably understand good form. If not it's going to be hit or miss. If I were to get a trainer I would find a certified Starting Strength coach, they're pretty much guaranteed to know what they're doing. http://startingstrength.com/site/coaching

    THANK you for the link! That helps.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,034 Member
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    Google available trainers in your area. Research them fully and find one that has a proven track record and has been in the business a while. You might even pose the question on your social media. Word of mouth from happy clients is a good sign. Ask them about their biggest client success stories...and if they have letters from those clients. Ask them what their philosophy is on diet. If they give you stories about low carb, intermittent fasting, 1200 calorie diets with drinking a minimum of a gallon of water per day etc, move on. Ask how they handle injury. Do they have a background in sports injury and understand how to limit your workouts if you have an injury? What is their rule on cancellations? Yours and theirs...are you still charged if you have an emergency? Are you credited if they do?
  • closetlibrarian
    closetlibrarian Posts: 2,207 Member
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    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    Google available trainers in your area. Research them fully and find one that has a proven track record and has been in the business a while. You might even pose the question on your social media. Word of mouth from happy clients is a good sign. Ask them about their biggest client success stories...and if they have letters from those clients. Ask them what their philosophy is on diet. If they give you stories about low carb, intermittent fasting, 1200 calorie diets with drinking a minimum of a gallon of water per day etc, move on. Ask how they handle injury. Do they have a background in sports injury and understand how to limit your workouts if you have an injury? What is their rule on cancellations? Yours and theirs...are you still charged if you have an emergency? Are you credited if they do?

    Excellent tips, thank you!
  • PearBlossom9
    PearBlossom9 Posts: 136 Member
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    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    Ask them what their philosophy is on diet. If they give you stories about low carb...

    What?

    Just gonna leave this here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ketogains/
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    PearBlossom9 wrote: »
    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    Ask them what their philosophy is on diet. If they give you stories about low carb...

    What?

    Just gonna leave this here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ketogains/

    because reddit is a valid source. Sorry but but more glycogen = more power, keto is worthless for weight lifters.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,034 Member
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    PearBlossom9 wrote: »
    What?

    Just gonna leave this here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ketogains/

    I'm just going to leave this here:

    https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/comments/1oir9l/doubts_about_the_longterm_health_of_a_ketogenic/
    https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/comments/39fyuc/keto_is_bad/

    P.S. Reddit is NOT a reputable or reliable source of dietary information.

  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,210 Member
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    galgenstrick wrote: »
    if the trainer is a competitive power lifter, then they probably understand good form.

    They probably will understand powerlifting form, but there is a world of other exercises out there, and powerlifters tend to underemphasize them. Which is fine for someone who wants to become a powerlifter, but those with other goals may benefit from more diversity in their routine. A good, all-around certification to look for is NASM, or, if you have injuries, NASM-CES. A degree in kinesiology or a related field is a plus too, or at least several years' experience as a trainer.

    A red flag for me is a trainer who gives all their clients the same routine.

    Trainers rarely have reputable credentials in nutrition, so i'd take their nutrition opinions with a grain of salt. If they can lift heavy eating low-carb or vegan or whatever, more power to them. :+1:

    Here are some perspectives on choosing a good trainer:

    http://body-improvements.com/articles/industry-articles/how-to-select-a-personal-trainer/
    http://www.stumptuous.com/how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer
    http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/personal-trainer-break-up-signs/
  • BZAH10
    BZAH10 Posts: 5,710 Member
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    Are you looking to hire a trainer that currently works at your gym? If so, what I did was observe all of them (inconspicuously) for quite a while during my usual workouts. I liked to see how each one worked with their clients. Once I finally selected a trainer I was happy with my choice because I'd already seen what they can and can't do.

    Proper form and individualized workouts are important. Paying attention and NOT being on their phones was another factor. One trainer at my gym was always on his phone. He was off my list immediately. Another just gazed around during a client's sets and didn't correct her form. Even I saw she was using improper form.

    Anyway, hope you find a good one because hiring a trainer really energized my workouts again.
  • galgenstrick
    galgenstrick Posts: 2,086 Member
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    Cherimoose wrote: »
    galgenstrick wrote: »
    if the trainer is a competitive power lifter, then they probably understand good form.

    They probably will understand powerlifting form, but there is a world of other exercises out there, and powerlifters tend to underemphasize them. Which is fine for someone who wants to become a powerlifter, but those with other goals may benefit from more diversity in their routine. A good, all-around certification to look for is NASM, or, if you have injuries, NASM-CES. A degree in kinesiology or a related field is a plus too, or at least several years' experience as a trainer.

    A red flag for me is a trainer who gives all their clients the same routine.

    Trainers rarely have reputable credentials in nutrition, so i'd take their nutrition opinions with a grain of salt. If they can lift heavy eating low-carb or vegan or whatever, more power to them. :+1:

    Here are some perspectives on choosing a good trainer:

    http://body-improvements.com/articles/industry-articles/how-to-select-a-personal-trainer/
    http://www.stumptuous.com/how-to-choose-a-personal-trainer
    http://dailyburn.com/life/fitness/personal-trainer-break-up-signs/

    I agree with this. Some of the hardest exercises to nail down the form on are powerlifting exercises. But you're right, there are quite a bit of other exercises you should utilize if your goal isn't powerlifting, but a good physique.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
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    PearBlossom9 wrote: »
    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    Ask them what their philosophy is on diet. If they give you stories about low carb...

    What?

    Just gonna leave this here : https://www.reddit.com/r/ketogains/

    Wut- Wut
    technically trainers aren't nutritionist or dietitians- they aren't supposed to be giving nutritional advice.
    Secondly - low carb isn't always the answer- it is merely a tool- but you need carbs- they are a must. Anyone who says you cant'/shouldn't have them is probably wrong.

    Thirdly- reddit? really?
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
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    Yeah, not all trainers will be familiar with powerlifting specific routines and that doesn't make them a bad trainer. If powerlifting is your goal then yes, you should find a trainer that specializes in competitive powerlifting training. Cherimoose indicated some certification organizations above that are nationally recognized, so that's a start. Of course, education is not everything so you will need to talk to a trainer. If you go to a gym now and see different trainers with clients; take some time to watch them with their clients. Are they actually paying attention to the client or checking their cell phone non-stop, texting, and bullshitting with other gym goers? Do they look like they're actually coaching them or just watching out of boredom; are they actively engaged? Ask them about their training philosophy and how they approach different clients. A good trainer will always start with some kind of assessment. Heck, ask them what are your Core muscles and see what they say. If they reply with "abs and obliques", then just run away because the Core is a lot more than that.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    edited February 2016
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    Trainers rarely have reputable credentials in nutrition, so i'd take their nutrition opinions with a grain of salt. If they can lift heavy eating low-carb or vegan or whatever, more power to them

    This is one to be cautious of, one reason has the person mentioned above. Secondly, depending on what state you're in it might be unlawful for the trainer to give nutrition advice unless they are a licensed dietitian. Sure they can give you advice but if they hurt somebody or make somebody very ill, they can be sued for their advice. If a trainer is hesitant to provide nutrition advice, ask them why and don't assume they don't know. Trainers should know the laws of their state.

    From, http://www.nutritionadvocacy.org/nevada
    Currenlty personal trainers are not licensed in any states in the United States. If there is an exclusive scope of practice nutrition licensing law (red or orange on the map) in a state, then it is illegal for personal trainers to provide nutrition counseling unless they obtain a nutrition license, or fall under an explicit exemption, which is rare. Practicing personal trainers MUST review the scope of the nutrition law in their state including all exceptions and exemptions to assess whether they are legally able to use nutrition tools in their practice. Seeking legal advice may help to determine whether laws governing nutrition care would be violated by the use of nutrition tools in a personal trainer practice.
  • jimmmer
    jimmmer Posts: 3,515 Member
    edited February 2016
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    ...you just interview a trainer.

    (And hello to Jason Isaacs!)

    :D
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    Ask two simple questions: "What do you think about 'muscle confusion'?" And "what is the best fat-burning exercise?"
    If they don't discount both ideas, then that's a big red flag. But the most important thing is to make sure the trainer is focused on creating an individual plan for you, based on your goals and abilities. They should be able to outline that in rough form after an initial interview. They should be able to articulate a training philosophy, not just recite slogans and buzzwords.

    To be honest, a beginner doesn't necessarily need a super-expert at lifting. What you need most is somehow with a broad range of knowledge who can: suggest the right exercises for you, choose the right level of intensity for your level of conditioning, progress/challenge you when it's time to do so, and provide a motivational/supporting atmosphere.
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,034 Member
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    Azdak wrote: »

    I have nothing to add but want to say that I am in love with your dog.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    edited February 2016
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    debrakgoogins wrote: »
    Azdak wrote: »

    I have nothing to add but want to say that I am in love with your dog.

    Thanks! Me too. He will be 4 on 2/22.

  • closetlibrarian
    closetlibrarian Posts: 2,207 Member
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    Thank you all for the feedback.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
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    Azdak wrote: »
    Ask two simple questions: "What do you think about 'muscle confusion'?"

    The answer to this one is that "Muscle Confusion" has been largely taken out-of-context by Beach Body. In order to get stronger at something your body MUST adapt to the exercise otherwise you're just spinning your wheel; Exercise Physiology suggests it's about six weeks. You can refer to "Muscle Confusion" or the SAID Principle (aka Specificity Principle) which states that you must go through repeated bouts of something in order to get stronger at it.

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