Why 50% of Personal Trainers Suck -PART 1

[standAPART]

Here is another article...that is made up entirely of opinions of mine. Enjoy!

I can feel the fists clamping and the teeth grinding as I write this. I can see the eyes slither up as if an un-welcomed cousin has entered the party. I can hear the whispers and the “whatevers” under everyone’s breaths. Well...if you are still interested in reading this, its because you want to stand apart from the 125,000 new fitness professionals that join the ranks every year, and hopefully, you don’t want to be one of the 25,000 that quit after 1 year.

In my opinion, you are going to continue reading this because you want to hear what I have to say. And who they hell am I you may ask? I am a lot of things....an observer, a student, a teacher, a leader, and a friend. I am a professional, an educator, and a coach. I remember being asked what I did for living years ago and replying, “I’m a personal trainer”, and everyone kinda looking at me like I had 3 heads.

“You mean you show people how to use those machines?”

“....Mmmmm, close....I help fat people get skinny and I help slow people run faster, and I help scared people be brave...and I help weak people be stronger, and I help diseased people become healthy”.

So, being labeled a personal trainer has come around over the last 3-4 years. Being one is not as foreign as it used to be when I first started out. Of course, they’re those that started out before me. Oh, yeah...they were called Biff, Zach, and Lance. They were the biggest guys in the gym with the darkest tans, and the highest Ottomix shoes around. They wore bandanas, belts, and earrings in the gym. They smelled like protein and they had more weightlifting gloves than some women had shoes. Some were old too...frequently telling me stories of feats past—big benches, big deads, big squats....torn pecks, bad backs, and messed up knees.

So these guys eventually fizzled out and a new breed of trainers came around. These trainers came out of college with degrees and athletic backgrounds. These new trainers came out of aerobics rooms and sought out certifications. These new trainers rose up out of the dungy gyms and became students of the game. These new trainers used what they learned in books and did research on themselves. They understood the function of the hamstring in a lunge is to decelerate the movement....they understood the function of the rotator cuff...they understood that cardiovascular performance was directly related to functional capacity. These new trainers even looked professional. They wore khaki’s, polo and golf shirts, dress shoes, and had smiles. These new trainers practiced what they preached because they learned in their own trainings; they learned in athletics; they learned in step classes; and they learned through trial and error. These trainers had a passion to share the knowledge they obtained with the average joe and once they were able to help their first client...a confidence was born. These trainers understood that their passion was becoming their bread and butter. These trainers began to understand selling their services was part of the game and they wanted to market their success to more and more clients. They understood they can achieve longevity in this field, rather which assuming it was a short term career detour. They made money! They helped people lose weight! They helped the weak become stronger, and the youths become more athletic. They wore the distinct “Trainer” label on their shirts and they carried their own business cards! Soon, word of mouth was the best sales tactic they could use...client were referring friends and family! Results were being noted everywhere—in the gym, at family reunions, at church gatherings, in public, and in homes!

But then “they “came...

Yes, then the ones that had little or no experience came in. The ones that wanted all the glamour without working for it. The ones that thought their time was too valuable and demanded to be paid more. The ones that followed all the false prophet magazines. The ones that felt they were destined to be trainers.

I wrote this article because in 6 years of direct personal training and 3 years of direct management of personal trainers, I have had the opportunity to interview 43 “wanna-be” trainers in my career. Some were destined to be good trainers and I hired them, some were destined to waste my time. I have the opportunity to instruct classes on personal trainers in community colleges in Connecticut and each year, I meet over 100 new people wanting to become a personal trainer. I workout in 4 different clubs 3 times a week and I have the opportunity to observe trainers in action. I teach workshops on advanced strength training techniques for trainers 4 times a year and have the opportunity to speak to trainers in their first year “on the job”. I talk and I listen, and I realize that 50% of the trainers fail. Here are my top 5 reason why:

(Look for Part 2 soon)

[Maxgain]

looking for part 2 as dont see anything that would cause fidt to clamp yet everyone knows most of the stuff posted in them magazines are crap

[CF-OC_gal]

I like the idea of a lifestyle coach rather than a personal trainer. Changing attitude and behaviour is at the core of all fitness programs for adults.

[Firehawk]

Did you learn your "advanced training techniques" from a book or did you learn from others and through experience?

[standAPART]

Firehawk, I don't know what was up with that low blow....but let me give you a little background on me. I won't talk about the "guys in my gym how big and strong THEY are".

At the age of 19 I was benching 315 at 175 pounds bodyweight. At 22, I was squatting 420 for reps and deadlifting yes, only 345. Deadliftimg was not my favorite. At 24, I ran a 4.78 in the 40 at the outside linebacker position, which is outstanding at that position. By the age of 25, I was inclining a max of 255, and cleaning 185 regularly. By the age of 28, I had 2 orthoopeadic surgeries and by 29 I coudl perform 4 one arm-pull ups. Also, by 28 I was personal training 37 clients a week at Gold's Gym in Bristol, Ct.
37 clients a week is unheard of in a commercial setting! By 31, I was the director of a fitness facilty and oversaw 28 other fitness professionals--with articles published in Fitness Managment and Fitness Professional. At 32, I am in better shape than I was at 22. through the years I have met Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Lee Labarada, Mike Peillachia and Kazmire. I have trained Division 1 & 2 football players, hockey player, and runners. Today, I run a successful website adn converse with some of the top up and coming strength & conditioning coaches in the country, this is evidenced by their willingness to contribute articles.

So, I don't need to talk about all the BIG guys in my gym...lets talk about you? If you want to personally attack me, you can PM me, or don't read my articles.

[Firehawk]

My post really wasn't meant to "low blow" you at all actually. I asked an honest question. But since you brought the numbers up, for someone to deadlift only 345 and squat 420 FOR REPS? yeah right. You sure those were deep or even parallel squats? I can put 500 on my back right now and go down 1/4 of the way for 10 reps...I question that bigtime and I ain't the only one questioning it. Do you have any videos?

I don't know who you are trying to fool sir. What are you doing posting your stuff here anyway? Is it really with the intention of helping people or is it with the intention to promote your website? You said you like to debate in another thread with an article you posted that drew much controversy, but you quickly abandoned the thread. If you like to debate, why leave?

[midgetcop]

So far he's been tooting his own horn far more than giving advice.

[standAPART]

I can't believe you actually admitted you squatted 1/4 of the way. In my eyes, the set was over before it started!! Why is my deadlift not more than my squat??? Dude, I was a linebacker and had strong legs!!! Get over it!!!

Why don't I answer other threads???Maybe because I lost track of them? It happens...I think everyone loses a thread when so many new ones are posted every hour!

Lastly, I post on here because the last time I checked, there aren't that many fitness professionals on here that can provide good, solid advice. Every advice I hear is washed down crap from T-Nation or a Cell Tech ad. My website is for learning...and it is 100% FREE, you and everyone else has a CHOICE if you want to visit it.

[Firehawk]

I didn't admit i squat 1/4 of the way sir, re-read what i said...i questioned your 420 for reps allegation, implying that YOU squat 1/4 of the way, or you are just lying about it.

SO you were a linebacker and you didn't deadlift? WTF? So you squatted, but didn't deadlift? I mean, if you in fact were doing "proper squats" with 420 for reps, it would stand to reason you could deadlift well over 345 sumo style which takes teh back out of it quite a bit and puts it on the lower body where your supposed strengths are lol.

I think you are full of crap man. Nothing jives with you. Just my opinion.
The problem i have is with you posting your crap for the beginners who haven't developed the crap detectors for eyes and ears and can't see through your ridiculous nonsense. That's the problem I have.

If i was up against a linebacker who could only deadlift 345lbs i would not be worried in the least. 37 trainees at one time huh? There are lots of suckers out there isn't there? Gyms are packed with them.

[Grey Ghost]

All I have to say is Reggie Bush repped 225 24 times at this year's pro day at USC campus. Specific details were not said of his other liftings, such as squat or deads, of which all are performed in front of NFL scouts. And they sure were impressed with his strengnth. And he weighs 215lbs max. You were outside linebacker? Let's see. About 10 years ago, the trend in linebacks, outside or indside, was all about size and strength. Whether it may be division 1 or 2, to play in NCAA, a player would have had an ideal height between 6ft and 6ft 2in and weigh somewhere between 235 to 250. Like what Firehawk said, you deadlifting only 345 at college level? Football is all about lower back and legs. I don't know which colllege you attended, but your strength coach sure did his job keeping his outside linebacker in shape to take the poundings.

[DBZ Status]

standapart there is no way your squat can be more then you deadlift i bet i couldn't have sex with the range of motion you were doing. I can deadlift 450 and i can only squat 325 5 times to parallel.

Strong legs hah lol im nineteen and my legs are stronger then yours....is there a reason you didn't put your squats or deadlifts up when you were nineteen ...kinda left that out probably because they blowed. I'm not believing a word you say unless i see a video. A higher squat then deadlift is like having an upper chest thats bigger then your lower chest. It just doesnt happen.

Firehawk has videos of what he does and he knows what hes talking about. You on the other hand are very new to the forum

[Maxgain]

I think we should wait till part 2 is posted before criticising not as if hes posted anything exceptional/questionable in this post yet.
I think we should take his lifts at face value we can not prove otherwise and they are hardly elite for someone whos life is training.
In fairness and while i dont agree with a lot of his posts they have raised some good debate lately.

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by DBZ Status

i bet i couldn't have sex with the range of motion you were doing.

That was F'n hilarious! Good one...

[Firehawk]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

I think we should wait till part 2 is posted before criticising not as if hes posted anything exceptional/questionable in this post yet.
I think we should take his lifts at face value we can not prove otherwise and they are hardly elite for someone whos life is training.
In fairness and while i dont agree with a lot of his posts they have raised some good debate lately.

No, you can't prove it, but it's obviously BS. The guy is a great salesman, but that's about it. Debate is good, but beginners read this crap and they get misled.

[Blaze]

Originally Posted by standAPART

Firehawk, I don't know what was up with that low blow....but let me give you a little background on me. I won't talk about the "guys in my gym how big and strong THEY are".

At the age of 19 I was benching 315 at 175 pounds bodyweight. At 22, I was squatting 420 for reps and deadlifting yes, only 345. Deadliftimg was not my favorite. At 24, I ran a 4.78 in the 40 at the outside linebacker position, which is outstanding at that position. By the age of 25, I was inclining a max of 255, and cleaning 185 regularly. By the age of 28, I had 2 orthoopeadic surgeries and by 29 I coudl perform 4 one arm-pull ups. Also, by 28 I was personal training 37 clients a week at Gold's Gym in Bristol, Ct.
37 clients a week is unheard of in a commercial setting! By 31, I was the director of a fitness facilty and oversaw 28 other fitness professionals--with articles published in Fitness Managment and Fitness Professional. At 32, I am in better shape than I was at 22. through the years I have met Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, Lee Labarada, Mike Peillachia and Kazmire. I have trained Division 1 & 2 football players, hockey player, and runners. Today, I run a successful website adn converse with some of the top up and coming strength & conditioning coaches in the country, this is evidenced by their willingness to contribute articles.

So, I don't need to talk about all the BIG guys in my gym...lets talk about you? If you want to personally attack me, you can PM me, or don't read my articles.

Dude, stop beefing yourself up like your so friggin great. Guess what Cleaning 255, sucks, especially at 25 and if you had "been lifting so hard for so long". I've only been liftijng for 2 years and no very little compared to alot of knowledable lifters. im only 17 and i can clean 225. And im weak as hell. And Bench looks good, but thats about it. And 420 is a good squat, but stop acting like your the man. I know more kids that I can count that haven't even graduated yet that can squat more than that...so BIG DEAL.

And DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT telling me that "there aren't enough people on here with knowledge and experience that can provide sound, strong advice about fitness"...because thats 100% bogus.
A few people here have certicifations...most don't....True. But they know enough that they might as well. And they train harder than you can believe. And it is, afterall their passion. And based off some of the results I've seen around here, their doing things right...whatever their doing.
If you want to argue and rag on people, you came to the wrong forum. We're all family here.

I wish Jaster was around...So he can laugh at your numbers...