Please explain what's wrong with this trainer's advice.

[Trigger543]

I'm in the bank like 5x a week, they only know I lift because I usually go right after the gym.

The bank manager told me she got a new trainer and asked me what I thought of what he gave her. (she's 40-45, around 50-70 lbs overweight)

This guy had her spend $170 on whey protein, some kind of liquid protein concentrate she's supposed to take a shot of before she works out, and a thermogenic fat burner. Edit: this guy sells supplements BTW, she bought them FROM HIM

He gave her a good deal on training ($290 for 16 sessions over 1 month) but he hasn't said a word to her about her diet!

I already gave her my two cents, but please explain what's wrong here, I'm going to show her your responses.

[BoltsPrincess]

I dont have a trainer becaus eof this! When i tore my ACL after PT I got a trainer to get back into shape and he never made me a diet plan. I was eating 6 meals a day and thought i was doing the right thing. Sure enough week after week and $$ after $$ no matter how much i worked with him i never lost weight! I personally beleive that a trainer needs to give you a food plan also if not NO SUCESS! If your paying him for a service, make sure you get what you need to reach your goal. good luck =)

[graffiti36]

nothing seems wrong about this trainer advice since supplementation is extremely important in losing weight

[PhiSig2298]

nothing seems wrong about this trainer advice since supplementation is extremely important in losing weight

Hope you're joking


OP, that trainer's goal is to make money first & hope his methods give his clients what they want to see..

If he's not asking about diet, there is something wrong

[graffiti36]

Hope you're joking

and i thought it was obvious -.-'

[Trigger543]

nothing seems wrong about this trainer advice since supplementation is extremely important in losing weight

so you're saying it's a good idea to tell someone who's that old & over weight to just start taking a thermogenic before even giving them advice on their diet? even if she was 20 years old and in decent shape, I've NEVER heard of a trainer selling supplements to a client, let alone recommending them before they ask them about their diet, and finally, HE RIPPED HER OFF BIG TIME! I just spent $50 more than she did and got a month's supply of six different name brand supplements on this site...

Tempted to neg...

Edit: nvm lulz

[snorkelman]

nothing seems wrong about this trainer advice since supplementation is extremely important in losing weight

Since she works at the bank, I assume she is not interested in losing wallet weight.

$170 for whey and a fat burner? That is a real shame. Someone like this might be directed to spend $30 for a tub of whey for a month to supplement her food intake, and she should be given detailed assistance with regard to learning how to comprise her meals so that she understands how to ingest fewer calories than she needs to maintain. Of course, increasing exercise while maintaining caloric intake will still result in an overall reduction of calories, but it sounds like this guy is effectively having her increase her caloric intake (with the protein powder and liquid) and also increase caloric output via exercise. She should have a clear understanding that, in addition to the macronutrient composition of her diet, that she still must ingest fewer calories than she spends.

She should understand that using a fat burner won't mater if she is still eating too much.

[Trigger543]

thanks, keep em coming brahs. the more I think about it, what kinda trainer only charges $18 per session?

oh and the best part, this lady looked up the real price of those supplements and one of em goes for like $16 a bottle. She just shrugged her shoulders, lmfao

[graffiti36]

i think im going to add "not srs" if im posting sarcasm from now on

Also, i find it unprofessional for someone who calls themselves a trainer to sell supplements and telling them its absolutely necessary. Thats not selling your product, that's a straight lie.
Since he's recommending supplements he should at least show a concern for the client diet and say that she might need to reduce in some foods to make room for others. Supplementing with whey is acceptable if the client has a deficiency of protein in their current diet ( and they absolutely cant find a way to eat more protein), otherwise its a waste of money.
This is why i dont think trainers (which most of the time have a degree in sport) should be allowed to formulate diets if they lack the education to do so. Im sure there are very competent trainers. Qualification in a degree does not replace another though ( giving your opinion but giving assertions isnt right)


im srs now

[Dujin77]

and i thought it was obvious -.-'

It's really hard to read vocal inflection or discern sarcasm unless you denote it somehow.

Anyway to OP, I hope you do show her these responses so i will just respond directly to her.

Ma'am you are being had. The supplements the trainer is selling you will give you no special benefit what so ever. I would recommend you request a refund and return the remainder to him. Second I would fire him as a trainer and find one who is not going to push supplements.

[Trigger543]

It's really hard to read vocal inflection or discern sarcasm unless you denote it somehow.

Anyway to OP, I hope you do show her these responses so i will just respond directly to her.

Ma'am you are being had. The supplements the trainer is selling you will give you no special benefit what so ever. I would recommend you request a refund and return the remainder to him. Second I would fire him as a trainer and find one who is not going to push supplements.

absolutely, she's going to see every post ITT by Friday morning.

[FastedWorkout]

Supplements are just that, supplements. If you have the discipline to maintain proper diet and exercise then supplements can help you achieve results a little faster. If you are getting little or no results because of improper diet and exercise (particularly diet if your goal is fat loss), then there's nothing for the supplements to supplement, except, of course, the income of the guy selling you those supplements. Also, it sounds like what she bought was extremely overpriced.

[bonkerzzz]

Honestly, there is no hope for people like this. My sister is always asking me for advice and then returns having doing something I strictly said NOT to do (buying those stupid 'hip toner' trainers comes to mind...)

They will only accept information from someone with a certificate to their name, it's just ignorance.

[PhiSig2298]

thanks, keep em coming brahs. the more I think about it, what kinda trainer only charges $18 per session?

oh and the best part, this lady looked up the real price of those supplements and one of em goes for like $16 a bottle. She just shrugged her shoulders, lmfao

Jesus H Christ! Talk about getting screwed over! If she's just blowing it off then just save your time & let her keep paying for that crap.

The fact that he's charging that much is insane & he's not asking anything about diet is enough to stop paying & stop going to him.

The least he could do is brainwash her into the "Chicken brown rice & broccoli" diet!

[dhhampto]

Have her look into protein and show her that protein is protein, no matter which brand she buys, its all going to break down into aminos, lipids, and sacharides (protein, fat, carbs)

There is no reason to waste $170 on protein and a fat burner when she could get both for $50, and buy food with the rest.

Also, in my opinion, fat burners are more of a caffeine placebo which, at most, will burn 100 calories per day.

Ditch the trainer, return the products, buy online, find a good plan, stick to it and eat

[lee__d]

he's giving her a sweet deal on training sessions because he's raping her on supps.

Trainers, in general, are going to give no or poor nutritional advice.

[PhiSig2298]

Have her look into protein and show her that protein is protein, no matter which brand she buys, its all going to break down into aminos, lipids, and sacharides (protein, fat, carbs)

There is no reason to waste $170 on protein and a fat burner when she could get both for $50, and buy food with the rest.

Also, in my opinion, fat burners are more of a caffeine placebo which, at most, will burn 100 calories per day.

Ditch the trainer, return the products, buy online, find a good plan, stick to it and eat

I agree for the most part. Some people need the trainer to feel motivated/confident/etc. but this trainer is hurting more than helping.

[CapitalG8]

whats wrong w. the trainer is that he has a side agenda. making a money by selling his supps and not caring about the most important part for her, diet.

no half assed trainer would suggest those supps prior to providing her with a diet plan.

[ven33]

The issue is pretty basic. The trainer is obviously pushing his merchandise. As soon as you said that he is pushing supplements on her without explaining WHY or WHAT they do this should send up flags. Thermogenics are pretty unnecessary and really only help blunting hunger. A little self control can save her the money on thermogenics.

Also, did he explain why she could use protein supplements? Did he explain that they will help her achieve her daily needs for protein? Does she understand that? If she does, what she needs to then realize is that ANY type of protein is going to help. Not some special concentrate nonsense. Go with the powder that tastes best to her and fits her budget (if anything).

Seriously, trainers love to push their supplements. I am sure he is a good guy, but seriously they have a second agenda. She should push back on the supplements, do some research, understand what she needs, and come back at him with her own research backed ideals. If he refuses to let you do what we preach on her he isn't worth your time or money.

[xXIntensitYXx]

I'm in the bank like 5x a week, they only know I lift because I usually go right after the gym.

The bank manager told me she got a new trainer and asked me what I thought of what he gave her. (she's 40-45, around 50-70 lbs overweight)

This guy had her spend $170 on whey protein, some kind of liquid protein concentrate she's supposed to take a shot of before she works out, and a thermogenic fat burner. Edit: this guy sells supplements BTW, she bought them FROM HIM

He gave her a good deal on training ($290 for 16 sessions over 1 month) but he hasn't said a word to her about her diet!

I already gave her my two cents, but please explain what's wrong here, I'm going to show her your responses.

Pt's arent licensed to give nutritional advice usually, that would cost alot more as it requires more schooling, you should give her a sample or direct her to bbing, most likely she sounds like a New Years Reso person to me. Anyway if shes that overweight she just needs to eat less and cut fast food etc...and NOT buy the supplements, tell her they are a waste of money.

[ironwill2008]

..oh and the best part, this lady looked up the real price of those supplements and one of em goes for like $16 a bottle. She just shrugged her shoulders, lmfao

Sounds to me like you're just wasting your time and effort on this person. The only thing I'd tell her is it's her money.

In a couple of months, when she's either not lost any weight, or has gained back what she initially lost (if any), maybe then she'll be a little more receptive to common sense. That's not likely though; the lay media, along with ganefs like her "trainer," have done a remarkable job in making people think the answer is in the form of pills and powders.



The only workable solution to this entire problem is to round up all the "trainers" like her guy, load them into a giant cannon, and then fire them into the Sun.

[sliq3g]

this trainer is obviously wrong. He's trying to pimp his product. Most supplements are not needed, especially for someone who wants to lose weight. Diet is most important in losing weight. I think that trainers should mention nutrition being the most important.

There are a handful of trainers that I lift with (not paid training) on a regular basis, because they know what they're doing. I'd suggest you find someone who is honest and won't make you buy their crappy supplements.

You don't even need a thermogenic to lose weight. I think that is the last step to put you over the hump of losing weight if you get stuck. Get the diet in check, do cardio whether, HIIT, biking, rowing, running, eliptical. But stick to the diet. Honestly I don't think you need a trainer. Just do your research. I've always done mine and I've gained and lost when I've needed.

[TelusLob]

Hope you're joking


OP, that trainer's goal is to make money first & hope his methods give his clients what they want to see..

If he's not asking about diet, there is something wrong

Yep... This ^^^

[MikeK46]

Supplements are unnecessary and diet is everything.

I think it's clear what's wrong with the trainer's advice.

[pvk]

Sounds to me like you're just wasting your time and effort on this person. The only thing I'd tell her is it's her money.

In a couple of months, when she's either not lost any weight, or has gained back what she initially lost (if any), maybe then she'll be a little more receptive to common sense. That's not likely though; the lay media, along with ganefs like her "trainer," have done a remarkable job in making people think the answer is in the form of pills and powders.



The only workable solution to this entire problem is to round up all the "trainers" like her guy, load them into a giant cannon, and then fire them into the Sun.

This is the solution to her problem^^^^^ A trainer filling her head with bs, and looking to fill his pockets with $$$$

[Trigger543]

Thanks for all your responses guys, hopefully she listens but if she doesn't at least I tried. I'm so bored right now that I actually printed out all your responses and faxed them over to her.

by the way, I just found out he also sells vacuum cleaners!

[pvk]

Thanks for all your responses guys, hopefully she listens but if she doesn't at least I tried. I'm so bored right now that I actually printed out all your responses and faxed them over to her.

by the way, I just found out he also sells vacuum cleaners!

Sweet, tell 'em I need a miele s2121 in onyx delivered to my doorstep!!

[ironwill2008]

by the way, I just found out he also sells vacuum cleaners!

Why am I completely not surprised at ^^^^ this. It may also be no coincidence why his exercise/diet advices suck so hard.

[Nimm]

This bank manager is pretty cavalier about wasting her money....does she also buy the 2 year service plans at Best Buy for DVDs? Undercoating on her new cars?

She should think about it rationally. A personal trainer can sell his time, probably for not a lot of money. If he wants to earn more, he can also push supplements with a huge markup. And as long as those supplements don't actually get in the way of her goals, nobody's the wiser.

Ask what makes more sense about an expensive protein supplement - a) it provides some unique benefit or amino acid that you can't get in, say, a chicken breast and glass of milk, or b) it provides a unique benefit to a trainer's wallet.
If you're feeling really confident, you can bet her that you can help her get results that are just as good, if not better, without the supplements.

[HotSpotShield]

The trainer seems more interested in making a quick buck off of selling his supplements to uneducated individuals rather than dealing with the client's weight loss via a proper diet and training. Diet, and proper training are the most important factors when it comes to weight loss/weight gain/maintenance. Supplements are called supplements for a reason, they are SUPPLEMENTARY, and should only be used as a training aid when your diet, training, and rest periods are all in check, and you have a reasonable amount of experience under your belt. For the recommended person for purely weight loss, I would not recommend taking any supplements except maybe a cheap whey protein powder, and a multivitamin.

For the client, I would recommend walking 3-5 times a week for 20-30 mins, and increase the length of walk by 5 minutes each week up to a maximum of 45-60 mins, 3-5 times a week. I would recommend the client eats >500 of their daily caloric maintenance, so if they need 2500 calories a day for maintenance, they would only need to consume 2000 calories/day. Using these basic guidelines, the client should be able to lose 1+ lbs of body fat every week, that is 52 lbs of bodyfat in one year.