Personal Trainers at the Gym

[THEEGAME2544]

I'm a personal trainer as well, and wouldn't consider myself useless either. A lot of the guys are right, there is a lot of information available on Elitefitness in particular that will tell you everything you need to know. But like anything, it's a learning process. Reading books, trying different exercises etc.... But if your looking to possibly get advice from a personal trainer, than it's important to find a personal trainer who "looks the part" There are way too many personal trainers nowadays giving advice that are either fat greasy bastards who don't even look like they workout themselves, or you get the skinny personal trainers that don't even look like they've ever touched a weight. How is one supposed to take advice from someone who doesn't look like they even workout themselves. The main thing here is that your looking to better yourself physically, and need to find someone who looks like they've accomplished goals themselves. Sorry for ranting on the competition......but with that aside, like I said it's a learning process, everyone starts somewhere. Just soak up what ever you can

 

[[email protected]]

I go to Gold's, while I've never used a personal trainer there, there are always guy/girl trainers walking around offering people help -- for no extra bucks.

 

[IJ26]

Thats the way it should be(trainers help for free) I hate seeing trainers in my gym who look like shit and are telling people what to do. I know i wouldnt get trained by a person that doesnt look good. If your a person that needs motivation and someone to teach you than a trainers great but after a while there is no need unless they are really experienced.

 

[pwr_machine]

Training is a big source of my income. I'm glad my services aren't free.

 

[Generic MALE]

I never have used a trainer but certainly can see the need for one. I would get one if I was planning on competing. Someone to give objective feedback, to push you when you feel like coasting etc.

I am fairly disciplined. I have been in the gym for 45 minutes of cardio 4 days per week at 5 AM, and in the gym at lunchtime 4 days per week for lifting for an hour for the last 6 months. Same thing for the previous 6 months before that except for the cardio - I do cardio starting in March to cut up for summer.

Others have a harder time with discipline. If you are paying money for a trainer 5 days a week you will most likely be there. I can push myself fairly hard, hard enough for my purposes. Others do better with someone encouraging them. And if you want to compete I think trainers are indispensible.

 

[swampmoose]

your best bet is to start hitting the weights and find a partner who is close or better than your experience level and start pounding the weights.

power machine is right, you can't beat a good trainer or coach or person who is always there to push you, God knows I wish I could find a good, reliable partner.

 

[karl2me2]

BTW, I know this is a stupid question, but how does a gym work clothing wise, is there a locker room and you bring clothes and change, or do you change at home and work out and such. Also what is a good amount of time to go to the gym? 40minutes to an hour 3 times a week? Or more? (Not including cardio which I will do at home)

 

[THEEGAME2544]

Most have locker rooms, but it's easiest to just wear your workout clothes to the gym. And usually try to keep workouts 45 minutes too 60 minutes.....that's plenty of time if your focused on your training.

 

[SofaGeorge]

it's not that personal trainers are useless - it's that there are so many bad personal trainers. It'd kick ass to have Charles Glass training you. It'd suck to have some idiot training you.

 

[supreme]

Are trainers useless - yes & no - DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE TRAINER AND YOUR GOALS.

I am a trainer, but I stand out in my gym not because of my size or definition ( there are guys way bigger and more ripped than me ) but due to my knowledge.

It all depends on what you want your trainer to do - a basic workout, bodybuilding, sports training or rehab. Most trainers specialize in one area or maybe 2

I spend thousands of dollars on education, certification and specialized training programs so I can handle multiple areas. I also spend hundreds of hours :watching training technique videos, video lectures on nutrition etc. Reading books, journals and mags. I also spend hours searching and reading posts at Elite Fitness for the latest drug & supplement info.

Most trainers can do the basic workout and diet - I found that to gain the respect of the "big" guys and the average member I had to be able to instruct on any level (show them some kick ass exercises - not these bullshit machines!) and be able to answer their questions including different cycles & supplements etc.

Your best bet is to talk to a few, if they don't know shit about diet, supplements, drugs - pass on them. If they only show machines and very basic exercises and perform no sort of movement testing and evaluation - ignore them, you can learn more from a book or video. To start a workout routine with no postural, movement & flexibility assesments will just lead to poor form and injury later on - I AM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!! - I am paying for a lot of ART therapy due to my early meathead days

If they only have an ACE certification and read muscle & fitness - take them outside and kick their ass! - Also kick the ass of the moron who hired them as well because he/she must be an idiot and knows nothing about training!

Things to look for:

College education, work experience, sports background

Certification by: NSCA, NASM, CHEK, or USAW (these are the top organizations for practical training & assemsnts; but they don't provide nutrition or drug info)

What do their clients look like - can they show you before & after pictures with testimonials of CURRENT members who you can contact (some trainers don't look as good as their clients because they spend more time training others & studying than working out - although they should not be FAT!)

Can they honsetly and intelligently answer your questions, yet be humble enough to refer you to an expert in situations where they can't help?

what is their reputation among members and the staff, it should be a mix of admiration, trust and dislike - dislike in that the trainers and members who don't know shit (>90%) and are too stuck up or narrow minded and will be enveous and jealous of the top trainers.

Do they train with themselves with free weights (takes more knowledge, skill, motor control & coordination than using machines)

Do they full squat, bench press, deadlift & do pullups and dips? Can they properly teach olympic lifts? - These and their derivatives are the best strength, mass exercies and have applications in most sports and rehab situations AND THEY WORK WELL WITH WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY - ALBIET AT LOWER LOADS & INTENSITIES!

These are just some things to think about!

Later!