What makes a great personal trainer a GREAT personal trainer?

[yanks26dmb]

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

Certification, knowledge, passion, great selling skills, education, personable, reliable, and experience.

There are plenty other intangibles as well.

[thebeastvwells]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

Above anything...passion. Passion for your business will make 13 hour days not so bad. Will make studying body parts, kinesiology and nutrition something you're interested in. It will make your clients excuses tolerable, times that business isn't at its peak a reason to work harder. If you love what you do...If you're committed...everything else will come.

[SophieM]

I'd say passion and the ability to LISTEN to your clients. It drives me crazy when I hear girls in the female section talk about how they went to a trainer to gain some LBM and they had them using light weights and tons of reps.

[trance__dreamer]

Originally Posted by SophieM

I'd say passion and the ability to LISTEN to your clients. It drives me crazy when I hear girls in the female section talk about how they went to a trainer to gain some LBM and they had them using light weights and tons of reps.

/agreed. fcukin' idiots; just perpetuates stereotypes, bro science, etc. =/

[askthetrainer]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

This is a tough question to ask other trainers because it's the clients who train w/ the trainer that make them great.

I've known a bunch of other trainers that most other trainers and friends think are complete bags of douche yet they succeed and their clients love them so who am I or any other trainer to say....

[jules_d1]

quite simple....one word- RESULTS

[McJimmie]

Knowledge (which may come with or without a certificate).

Passion for the subject

The ability to pass both of the above to their clients.

A genuine interest (or the appearance of such) in the performance of their clients, and the ability to answer their quereies with knowledgeable and understandable advice.

[MateusMcClay]

Originally Posted by jules_d1

quite simple....one word- RESULTS

Hey man, I had a few questions for you so I shot you a PM. Thanks

[LouV]

Knowledge and your ability to communicate.

I've seen a lot of very smart educated people wonder why they can't get through to their clients. The reason is usually that they're unable to explain things is a way the client can understand.

[yanks26dmb]

I guess what I was really getting at was....what are the great personal trainers who get the great results doing???

[McJimmie]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

I guess what I was really getting at was....what are the great personal trainers who get the great results doing???

They are not doing anything !

It's the client who does the hard work

[Keltron]

one thing that's crucial is a sense of progression.

There are lots of trainers that can come up w/cool/ creative workouts but the thought of progressing their clients to more advanced workouts just doesnt enter their minds.

[Vince Goodrum]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

The ones that care more about helping their clients instead of helping themselves to their wallet

[trulyhuge1]

A lot of good responses here. I think a few things are very important.
The first being experience. I trust people who have "been there/done that" in terms of training. Been in the trnches so to speak. I also think keeping up on methods and/or understanding no two people are alike is key. A lot of times trainers get stuck and "do what they are doing with Joe over here" without giving it much thought.
I also think some just have a "nack" for this profession that carries them farther.

TH

[MVP]

Originally Posted by yanks26dmb

What is it that seperates the great from the good and not so good..?

Is it a career to you, or just a job?
Experience through trial and error.
There are trainers who love changing peoples lives, and their are the other trainers who are there just to collect a paycheck.
Trainers who provide results and trainers that don't. The results trainer will not have to sell as much or as hard as the trainer that doesnt provide results. If you provide results, people will know about you.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Rap_Rocky

Certification

A cert will never determine great

[MVP]

Originally Posted by askthetrainer

I've known a bunch of other trainers that most other trainers and friends think are complete bags of douche yet they succeed and their clients love them so who am I or any other trainer to say....

It's always the trainers at the bottom who envy those at the top, just like any other profession. If you're changing peoples lives, providing results, and other trainers are talking smack about you, it will show how great you are

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by MVP

A cert will never determine great

Solely? No. But the kind of certification one carries allows themselves to be distinguished from the rest. I can be a super cool, educated, top-notch trainer - but it won't mean anything if I have a $40 cert from ExpertRating.com.

[McJimmie]

Originally Posted by MVP

A cert will never determine great

I agree - I mean, most of the drivers on the road presumably have some sort of certificate, but would you say they were great drivers ?

[TheLimit]

Originally Posted by McJimmie

I agree - I mean, most of the drivers on the road presumably have some sort of certificate, but would you say they were great drivers ?

Great example! Anyone can get a cert just like anyone (with half a brain and some cordination) can get a drivers license., but not everyone (from what I've seen) should have one.

I think what separates the good from the great is the ability to take your work home and actively try to improve onheir clients lives. Someone who is constantly looking for ways to improve their clients workout and tries their hardest to tailor routine/workouts to their goals and is always looking into ways to improve it. Also, someone who tries to give back the most they can for their clients money.

I'm not certified nor am I a trainer, but I know once I do get certified and begin my career as a PT, ill make it as personal as I can and almost make my clients feel as if we've known each other and make it more of a friendship than a business relationship. I'd try to keep getting results from my clients, and improve on their diets/workout programs in order to go above and beyond their goals.

Sorry for the long post but I hope it makes sense. I guess what I mean is someone who delivers and surpasses what they're expected to do.

[jjsafari]

PERSONALITY. i have been approached by many trainers in the gym offering their services. they do not know i have training experience and was studying for certification.

the biggest issue is that they dont try to be your friend, they say hey come do this routine, they ask me how i like it then offer services.

i would prefer the following(my method): Greet them as you see them, even if not in trainers uniform. introduce yourself(not as a trainer but as a person), learn their names, ask if you can work in with them if your doing the same body part, start a conversation, and leave on a positive note. then after the first initial meet you see them again(which you will) offer to spot them on an exercise, or ask them if theyd like to work in with you, then introduce yourself as a trainer, and ask if theyd like to do a sample routine you thinnk would be GREAT for them. from there on you have a relationship with the gym member and if they are interested in personal training they will come to you.


the purpose of a great trainer is to create friends that they train, not to create customers. if you dont know your clients names by heart when you see them in the gym then you ARE NOT a great trainer.

any trainer that cant remember my name i dont even speak to after the first initial contact.

[McJimmie]

Originally Posted by jjsafari

PERSONALITY. i have been approached by many trainers in the gym offering their services. they do not know i have training experience and was studying for certification.

the biggest issue is that they dont try to be your friend, they say hey come do this routine, they ask me how i like it then offer services.

i would prefer the following(my method): Greet them as you see them, even if not in trainers uniform. introduce yourself(not as a trainer but as a person), learn their names, ask if you can work in with them if your doing the same body part, start a conversation, and leave on a positive note. then after the first initial meet you see them again(which you will) offer to spot them on an exercise, or ask them if theyd like to work in with you, then introduce yourself as a trainer, and ask if theyd like to do a sample routine you thinnk would be GREAT for them. from there on you have a relationship with the gym member and if they are interested in personal training they will come to you.

Sounds more like a snake oil salesman than a great PT !

[carl.c]

I would say the number one thing for a trainer is abilty to adapt to clients needs. To many trainers use cooky cutter programs.

[MVP]

Originally Posted by Rap_Rocky

Solely? No. But the kind of certification one carries allows themselves to be distinguished from the rest. I can be a super cool, educated, top-notch trainer - but it won't mean anything if I have a $40 cert from ExpertRating.com.

Not really. You can have 100 trainers with the same cert, but how many of those 100 trainers actually will provide results to their clientele?

A certification doesn't distinguish you from the rest. If you want to distinguish yourself from the rest, then it's all about results.

The general population doesn't care about what cert you have. All they care about is what you're going to do for them. Clientele pay for results, not your cert.

Yes a trainer with a $40 cert from anyone, that is super cool, educated, top-notch results trainer does mean a lot! You know why? Because that trainer is providing results. If you're providing results, then you will be a busy trainer. If you're not providing results, then you will not be busy, regardless of what cert you have.

There are plenty of trainers with no certification who will blow away trainers out there with the so called top-notch, best, most reputable certs out there etc...

[BSCSCS]

Originally Posted by McJimmie

I agree - I mean, most of the drivers on the road presumably have some sort of certificate, but would you say they were great drivers ?

This would make sense if there was onle ONE cert that one could get. I would imagine that someone with a CDL could drive an 18 wheeler better than 99% of people who only have their regular drivers liscense...right?

It also makes sense that something like 90% of trainers with their CSCS are more knowledgeable than someone with an ACE cert and no formal education. Doesn't necessarily mean they are a better trainer, you CAN learn the material on your own. But having a top notch cert can be PART of what makes one a great trainer.

[McJimmie]

Originally Posted by BSCSCS

This would make sense if there was onle ONE cert that one could get. I would imagine that someone with a CDL could drive an 18 wheeler better than 99% of people who only have their regular drivers liscense...right?

Nope - they only think they can, because the other 99% keep well out of their way ;-)

If it's big and has lots of wheels, it has right of way, especially if it has overseas licence plates

[BSCSCS]

Originally Posted by McJimmie

Nope - they only think they can, because the other 99% keep well out of their way ;-)

If it's big and has lots of wheels, it has right of way, especially if it has overseas licence plates

^^^^ Reading comprehension much?

[McJimmie]

Originally Posted by BSCSCS

^^^^ Reading comprehension much?

Sorry BSCSCS, I guess some of the English phrases did not cross the Atlantic too well

Right of way = Priority

Your analogy of the licence for driving a big truck was a bad one in my opinion - I always keep well away from big trucks! Over here, they too can get qualified on a week long course.

[Rap_Rocky]

Originally Posted by MVP

Not really. You can have 100 trainers with the same cert, but how many of those 100 trainers actually will provide results to their clientele?

A certification doesn't distinguish you from the rest. If you want to distinguish yourself from the rest, then it's all about results.

The general population doesn't care about what cert you have. All they care about is what you're going to do for them. Clientele pay for results, not your cert.

Yes a trainer with a $40 cert from anyone, that is super cool, educated, top-notch results trainer does mean a lot! You know why? Because that trainer is providing results. If you're providing results, then you will be a busy trainer. If you're not providing results, then you will not be busy, regardless of what cert you have.

There are plenty of trainers with no certification who will blow away trainers out there with the so called top-notch, best, most reputable certs out there etc...

I hear you, but how far can you expect to go with a cheap no name certification, or none at all? True, there are plenty of great trainers without a cert (or a known one), and I was namely one of them before I got one. But I feel....Get all the experience you want, with all the knowledge...at the end of the day, unless you have a relative degree, how far can you go on a career level? I never made the notion that a certification is what makes a great trainer; I feel it's also a combination of other variables, such as personality, rapport, etc.

Having no cert. may luckily work for somebody who wants to build a business, granted that a potential client isn't stuck on whether you have a certification or not, but to advance in the field - such as in working in hospitals, clinics, physical therapy centers, medical settings, private clubs - a certification is what will open doors for you. If you have the knowledge, the education, and so on - then you should already know what triggers results with your individual client.

I don't necessarily think results is the only thing that makes a trainer successful either. If you have a client that's super dedicated, and already has their diet on point, then they make your job that much easier. Sometimes, all you'll need to do is throw a weight their way and simply watch. Granted who you work with, results can come ridiculously quick and easy, especially if the person never worked out before - bringing results can also become tedious and tough to accomplish. If you can bring results to an athlete? Now that's a great trainer.