Do trainers actually know what they're doing?

[JDid23]

Today during deads, a trainer came up to me and asked me to be a bit quieter, so i said okay, not wanting to get into a fight. Then before my set, he walked by so i asked him if he knew any ways to make the weight come down quieter. He said something like,


(in a nice voice)"Look man, I know what you're doing and why you do it. It's just that a lot of the older people here complain to me that it's too noisy and it's hard for them to concentrate. It annoys me too sometimes because i know a lot of guys just like to come in here, do their thing and lift their ass off, but i am a trainer and i have to cater to everyone". Something along those lines.


Anyway, this guy is in fucking shape and he's real big. I asked him to check my dead form, and before the lift he said all the right shit; shoulders over the bar, chest up, abs tight, lockout with hips, etc. He said my form was excellent, and the only mistake was not putting my head down. When i did, it was much easier.

So do you guys think trainers actually know about lifting without machines and bands? I always wondered how this guy was so big, but maybe he really knows his shit and just has to do some program the gym has him on? Any views on this? I mean, if you think about it a lot of PTs have to go through a lot of courses and stuff and you'd think that at the gym, they would learn how to do shit.

 

[gonelifting]

Sure they do. Do they know everything? Most likely not. Will they know 'enough' to get you to where you need to be? Probably yes.

That's the case with most professions. Mechanics don't know everything. Drs. don't know everything. Just look at chris1234, he's an idiot. lol jk

Some trainers love what they do and are dedicated to learning it, while others may be wannabe models/trainers/professional tanners and live in the gym. they take the required courses and pass them, and bam, they're a trainer.

Well, that's aLL I got for now. Keep doing those deads. Good luck.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

Exactly what gonelifting said

most of them probably know enough to sound smart (like me) and look like they know what theyre talking about (like me) but also have a bullshit certification(like me) with no degree in anything(like me).

 

[metalfujimi]

some do, some dont. some get their knowledge from years of hard work in the gym, some take a stupid test online and think they know everything. but alot of gyms make the good trainers teach shitty programs. alot of them tell you not have clients full squat because of liability, stupid stuff like that

 

[Big A]

Yeah, i find the good trainers are just the ones with years of experience, one of my bros who used to train me when i played rugby, who specializes in sports specific training knows whats up because he was played just about every sport, was a stuntman, ex bodybuilder, etc, has 20+ years experience, just done so many different things. I have seen all his clients make substantial progress and actually he cares about it. He always checks up on everyone even when hes not working and really communicates well. Some trainers just have an "i don't give a fuck attitude" and they just want to get paid. Those are the trainers you don't want. You want someone with experience and someone who cares.

 

[projecthatch92]

I think it really depends on the gym. The gym that I frequent is a 24 hour gym, and only has locations in the Chicagoland, New York, and DC area. They're always blasting techno music, and there's guys walking around in Ed Hardy shirts with Georgio Armani cologne filling the weight room. The trainers there don't even need to be certified, but it's "preferred." I say 98% of the trainers in that gym have no idea what they're talking about, and aren't even in a good healthy shape themselves. I never understand why people would take advice from these kinds of people? Anywho, there are a couple of trainers that really know what they're talking about, and you can tell, since they are always booked with clients. So to get back on topic, it depends on the gym IMO

 

[lookinfit75]

Today during deads, a trainer came up to me and asked me to be a bit quieter, so i said okay, not wanting to get into a fight. Then before my set, he walked by so i asked him if he knew any ways to make the weight come down quieter. He said something like,


(in a nice voice)"Look man, I know what you're doing and why you do it. It's just that a lot of the older people here complain to me that it's too noisy and it's hard for them to concentrate. It annoys me too sometimes because i know a lot of guys just like to come in here, do their thing and lift their ass off, but i am a trainer and i have to cater to everyone". Something along those lines.


Anyway, this guy is in fucking shape and he's real big. I asked him to check my dead form, and before the lift he said all the right shit; shoulders over the bar, chest up, abs tight, lockout with hips, etc. He said my form was excellent, and the only mistake was not putting my head down. When i did, it was much easier.

So do you guys think trainers actually know about lifting without machines and bands? I always wondered how this guy was so big, but maybe he really knows his shit and just has to do some program the gym has him on? Any views on this? I mean, if you think about it a lot of PTs have to go through a lot of courses and stuff and you'd think that at the gym, they would learn how to do shit.

I thought you were supposed to look forward when performing a deadlift, not down. If you look down you'll likely roll your lower back out and that is a no no. Keep your head up and back arched.
As for the rest of you post, it all depends. At the gym where I workout, I'd say that I am close to trumping the knowledge of most of these trainers. I've caught more than one teaching horrible form to trainees and I stopped one from destroying a woman's back once. I called him on what he was doing and he had no explanation for what he it. That's not to say there aren't good trainers out there but some of these dickheads out there are more interested in getting some tail than they are in training someone correctly and the trainee's physical capacities.

 

[joe d]

most of the trainers i see dont know shit. they dont even know how to reach their own goals. there are a handful that know their own stuff but when it comes to helping others their skill is verry limited. then there is the 1 out of say 100 that can actually do what a trainer should be able to do.

 

[kx250rider]

I've never worked with one... I met a few of them by happenstance and not in a gym, and the personalities are controlling and not the kind of friend or advisor I want or need. I'm sure there are plenty of good ones out there, but probably few & far between. Most of the ones at the local "big box" gyms around Dallas and Los Angeles, have 129-lb 17-year-old kids as trainers who know absolutely everything, and have an ego so big it would clog up the sewer. Additionally, I have to say that I don't like anyone in my space, and I'd be likely to pop the trainer in the face if he reached out and grabbed my armpits to correct my form.

Charles

 

[ExtraMile]

I agree with joe d, all the trainers I see teach bullshit