I mostly have disagree with that post casualBB.
I agree that they probably have clients that are unmotivated and that's probably because the damn PT doesn't push them hard enough to see results. Part of a PT's job is to motivate the client.
Very out of shape huh. Ok, but the body adapts very fast. You can start them out light and build up in a rather short period of time.
Not everyone that hires a PT is severely posturally fucked up. And as far as I can tell, most lifters posture isn't that great either on average. I should know, I was in the Navy so I know a little about posture.
Free weights probably do intimidate the newbs, but that's why I feel PT's do a diservice to their clinets by making them believe that machines are just as good as barbells and dumbells, when for the most part, they are not. Which is better, get them accustomed to free weights and good form quickly, or have them wait along time before getting into them. That's like taking a step forward and then a step back which definitely isn't the same as 2 steps forward, 1 back.
I personally never try to feel destroyed after a workout. Thoroughly worked or maybe a little tired, ok. Feeling strong and worked being even better. It's part of the PT's job to figure out what the client can handle as far as intensity, volume and frequency goes. With those little charts they carry it should become obvious very quickly whether or not their client is overdoing it. As for too much intensity, that is pretty easy to circumvent. NO training to failure. It's not even neccesary imo. I might have them do it for the first workout or 2 on a couple exercises so they know what it is, but it's not necessary to go to momentary muscular failure. That's get's rid of most of the too much intensity as long as exercise and set volume is reasonable. Overstraining on sets should be avoided. No need for the whole body to shake and such on a set for the most part. That's overkill. A PT should have the experience to know when to tell a person to end a set. It's not hard to tell when a person is getting close to failure.
Most people in general have muscle imbalances. A simple supervised and structured 10-15 minute full body stretch before each workout will take care of flexibility issues. Postural problems can be addressed by making the client aware of what correct posture is and how it feels. Generally things to avoid that affect posture negatively can be explained rather easily.
Abs should be done either first thing or last depending on your guidelines as a PT. I prefer after, but that's just me. For others I'd probably say before to make sure they do the ab work justice. Strong abs using weighted situps, crunches and leg raises is key to developing a strong mid-section and posture. I never see PT's have their clients do a weighted ab workout. 1000 reps and/or 10 different variations of crunches does not equate to strong abs.
I'm not doggin good PT's. But 99% of the PT's I have seen at different gyms do indeed suck. And I know what exercises are done to correct postural and structural imbalances and I'm pretty good at guessing what an exercise is supposed to do if I've never seen it before do to experience and common sense, 2 things most PT's seem to lack.
And for most PT's, their utter lack of strength and size doesn't help their case.
I repeat, I respect good PT's, but honestly, most SUCK.
