What do women look for in a personal trainer?

[Personification]

Much like the title says, what is it that a personal trainer has to have to make his female clients enjoy their work-out? I will acheive my goal of earning a personal training degree in December and building clientle is the hard part. =)

For the most part I know how to motivate guys to achieve their goals, but I would like to be able to do the same for women. In your opinions what would drive you to get a personal trainer?

P.S. I am a young guy, so that will work against me. Only 22, but we all must overcome some hardship eh? =)

[SPRWMN]

I have a friend that is a personal trainer. I know that some of his female clients are wusses. He is a little easier on them, but firm so that they can some how reach their goals. They must also understand that consistency and diet are a big part of the equation. All of the sessions in the world won't help them without those.
Any client wants a trainer to be reliable, be on-time to your appointments. Your clients won't respect this if you don't. Be mature. Do not hit on your female clients and ask them out on dates. Also, I don't recommend taking requests for dates. This is your place of employment (think about it) things can get pretty ugly.

[strongfox2002]

When I decided I wanted to start competing in bodybuilding, I specifically looked for a male trainer. I wanted a male trainer who was involved with bodybuilding, either as a competitor himself or as a mentor in bb preparation.

My checklist for hiring a trainer included checking his appearance (fit and healthy), his personality (I'm a tough girl and I wanted a tough trainer), his professionalism and knowledge in the sport.

I've been with him for 2 years now and he's become my best friend. He pushes me and keeps me motivated. He's honest with me about my progress and has been at my side for every show I competed in. He's a good listener, he's patient and understanding and shows he cares.

Majority of the women out there want to tone and shape their physiques and they want to have fun doing it. Some will work harder than others and others will just come for the companionship.

Some will want to know about your success with other clients, especially female clients. A pushy PT sucks and will never get the client. Remember these are gym members and word spreads around quickly about a trainer who is pushy and believe me, they will avoid you. Also, if you are seeking new clients, don't approach a group, speak to people individually. If you approach a group of women, one will turn you down and so will each one in the group. I have seen that done too many times and the trainer gets shot down.

At my gym, each new member gets a free training session and it's done by the next available trainer on the list, unless the client has a specific request on the trainers experience, like I did. I asked for a trainer who knew about bodybuilding. Some trainers also walk around the club and will assist someone who is using a machine incorrectly and uses that as a way of offering them a free session.

One more important thing is that the client wants to know that you are interested in what they want, in what their goals are. Clients don't want to hear about what the trainer did and achieved. Personal training involves your personal interest in the client and helping that client succeed in his/her goals...it's about them, not you. I've seen too many trainers talk about themselves and their achievements while the client pretends to be listening. Next thing you know, that client asks for another trainer.

And yes, some women will ask you out...try as hard as possible not to get involved with a client...it will create problems (like sexual harassment). Keep it professional and respectful...your PT business depends on how you manage yourself. Stay true to yourself (even when you make it as a top trainer) and always care about your clients. Hope this helps. Good luck with your career as a personal trainer.

Peace

[ctgblue]

Originally posted by SPRWMN
I have a friend that is a personal trainer. I know that some of his female clients are wusses. He is a little easier on them, but firm so that they can some how reach their goals. They must also understand that consistency and diet are a big part of the equation. All of the sessions in the world won't help them without those.
Any client wants a trainer to be reliable, be on-time to your appointments. Your clients won't respect this if you don't. Be mature. Do not hit on your female clients and ask them out on dates. Also, I don't recommend taking requests for dates. This is your place of employment (think about it) things can get pretty ugly.

Oh great, there goes that $29.95 I spent at www.Iamaripofftrainercertificateshop.com damn!
Thanks for bursting my bubble

[Personification]

Haha, I think it would be totally un-professional to hit on clients, so I know that isn't gonna happen. Also to the ladies, what kind of motivation do you all look for? I know once I get the feel of a guy client how he is gonna respond to different stimuli, but I am not always sure with women because of things like PMS, Husband Troubles that make them hate all men (Not that all women are like that). I mean, I know show up on time, so on and so forth, that is with every client.

But I mean specifics, do you women like trainers that are more honest? Will tell you what you need to work on? Or do you like trainers that will tell you what is looking great and leave you to figure what is wrong?

How bout diet? How does one go about discussing that?

Truthfully, I am not just asking this just for me, but as a general guide for everyone. I know not all people are the same, but generalites are always nice to have.

P.S. I don't want to work for a gym per se, I would rather train each person individualy so that we can go places that make them most comfortable.

[Personification]

Also, Thank you StrongFox that was just the kind of post I was looking for. =)

[aprildawn]

If I had the money to hire a trainer, I would want someone who is honest and pushes me. I wonder if you can maybe make up a questionaire before you work with them asking them about goals, diet, expectations, experience, etc. That could help you out a lot.

[strongfox2002]

You're welcome.

To assist you a little more on your other post, I'm friends with a lot of the women who have hired trainers at my club. Majority want one that is very honest and will tell them what needs work as well as what has improved. My trainer will always ask me how I feel after a couple of sets and would suggest increasing or decreasing the weight according to my response. He focuses on my every move during the session. Remember, some women are afraid to lift heavy because they think they will bulk up like a guy. You have to change their way of thinking...they are going to be confused about weight-training, so you'll have to play teacher.

As for diets for women, you might want to research some of the women's fitness magazines (Oxygen, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Shape, Fitness, etc) and get ideas of diet plans for their individual goals. Be careful about suggesting certain supplements. Since you are not a doctor (some will think of you as one though), you are not fully aware of their medical history. Certain supplements will cause harmful effects, even fatal effects, so you might want to stay away from that...unless you have a great lawyer. Suggest they go to a bookstore and purchase a book or two that give them details on the supplements that are available.

A lot of clients, both men and women, will want to talk to you about their life outside of the gym if they are very comfortable with you. I discuss a lot of issues with my trainer. He listens carefully and gives me advise. Advise is good now that we are good friends but in the beginning, I just needed someone to listen to me. Many times, it's necessary to get things off your chest, especially if it's effecting the training session. It's just part of life to have some stress in life and we all need someone to talk to. Sometimes, you are the one person they spend the most time with.

As for PMS, you'll know how to handle a female client after the first time your get "attitude" from her. Remember, 28 days later, you might get that "attitude" again, LOL. Some women are really bad (and may not want to train on those days - which I think they should - it will make them feel better) and other women have mild PMS and have good attitudes. Observe and stick to positive, motivational comments...it will save you.

I hope this helps too. Peace

[SPRWMN]

There is currently a thread in the 35 and older section about what do you use for motivation. You may want to check out some of the female responses.
I know that some women, myself included, use a special event or a special outfit as motivation from time to time. This is not a replacement for a lifelong commitment to better health and body conditioning, but it gives a person something to look forward to (a specific goal).

[tracyb555]

Like men, it varies from woman to woman. I think it helps not to make an assumptions and treat every woman as an individual. For example, if the woman appears to be overweight, don't say "Are you trying to lose weight?" Maybe she is just trying to become stronger and now you have just made an enemy by calling her fat! Let her explain her goals without prompting her in a specific direction. And even if a woman is trying to lose weight, this can be a sore subject, so use sensitivity and discretion.

Best wishes on your new career.

[the wind]

i am lucky enough to have a close friend that is a body builder that has been gracious enough to donate his mornings to me but i think the thing that was most important to me was to be made to feel comfortable and confident in the gym. it is always intimidating when you walk in and don't know what you're doing. Another thing to keep in mind is to help build a positive self image. Women spend, at least i did, a lot of time worrying about loosing weight without any real thought to what is healthy. those skinny women on the front of magizines that look gaunt and like teenage girls are not what getting fit is all about. it took me a long time to let go of the scale. now when i get on and i've gained five pounds, this would have ordinarily sent me screaming, i feel good, strong and my trainer has been supportive in helping me feel strong and confident which in turn makes me want to stick to my diet and train harder. self confidence really does wonders.

[Personification]

I appreciate all the responses I am getting, they are a great help.

However, one response struck me and I really like it, the one about a questioniare for the people that might choose me to train them. It is an excellent suggestion, and actually I am working on one right now. What kinda questions do you feel I should ask on it? I know the basic ones, Things like, "what are your goals, What do you hope to accomplish, why are you doing this?" Things like that, but if you can think of more specific questions I could ask it would be of great assistance.

I know it seems like I am being a bit nit-picky but I like to go into situations fully prepared. And with the amount of trust someone puts into a personal trainer, I wouldn't want to let them down. So I ask silly questions like this. =)

Thanks again for the help ladies. After I am done with the questioniare for women, I have to move onto men. LOL

[beebra]

I have a male personal trainer, even though there are female ones at my gym. I just felt that as my goal was building muscle someone that hd a lot of it could advise me more on how to get some.

Also - although you can ask clients loads of questions, I think it ultimately comes down to having a connection with that person. Its human nature, that for one reason or another, we bond with each other for a million different reasons. My gym has a lot of wealthy middle aged females with a lot of spare time on their hands, and there are a lot of pretty boy trainers that prove very popular. I personally wouldnt pick any of these guys as they may look nice, but talking to them is like pulling teeth. I wanted someone I wasnt scared of puling ugly faces in front of!! There was one guy for some reason that I just felt at ease with more than the others, and thats why I picked him, not because of anything he said or done. And as it turns out we have loads in common. Both married with kids etc...it gives me something to chat to him about inbetween workout stuff. On another note, the one thing that I find male trainers dont quite get as much as the girls when dealing with women is.......diet. You can say its lazyness, greed a million different things.....but for some reason women are much much more emotionally attached to food than most guys. changing our diet can be a huge thing. We cook for our familys to show we love them, we reward ourselves with treats when we dont have any time for anything else etc. I dont always think that men get this as much, and it can be much more of a challenge than getting us to work out. Good luck!!

[Keltron]

This is coming from a trainer... actually, I stopped calling myself a "personal trainer" a while ago. I call myself a strength and conditioning coach.

Part of their training is strength and heavy lifting w/rest breaks in between.
Part of their training is conditioning like circuits, sprint drills, plyometrics, kb stuff, etc.

Anyway, if you're anything like me or have a passion for teaching people how to lift heavy and give a great, challenging workout, you'll be miserable if you're trying to target women. The majority of women that seek personal trainers DON'T want a hard workout. They are attracted to workouts that make them feel burns and contractions in specific muscles.. Since compound movements and full body circuits are meant to work the body as a working unit, you don't get as much of this.

They will tell you they don't want to gain muscle in their arms but will ask for isolations movements like curls and kick backs. lol. They don't want to do things that will give them the body they told you they want. They want to do things they THINK will give them the body they want.

At first I thought they're just afraid of lifting heavy so w/one girl I figured I'd lower the weights, ease off on the strength work and just do circuits w/few weights, light weights and add more movements that were more cardio-eque like sprints, jump rope, calisthenics. Well, she still bitched and kept asking for modifications.

Don't get me wrong, I've had a decent amount of females that were really into my style and they exist but finding them is going to be hard. If you do well w/men then you won't do well w/most women. So just target men. When I first left the gym to go out on my own I was a bit worried as well and didn't want my advertising, logos, etc to detract women since they were the ones that tend to get trainers most..

But as soon as I started getting more men, I said EFF IT, present yourself the way you truly ARE and the people that are a good match for you will come to you..

Just like dating

[KCMarie]

Much like the title says, what is it that a personal trainer has to have to make his female clients enjoy their work-out? I will acheive my goal of earning a personal training degree in December and building clientle is the hard part. =)

For the most part I know how to motivate guys to achieve their goals, but I would like to be able to do the same for women. In your opinions what would drive you to get a personal trainer?

P.S. I am a young guy, so that will work against me. Only 22, but we all must overcome some hardship eh? =)

I enjoy my workouts because my trainer pushes me... he makes me uncomfortable (meaning feeling the burn, out of breath, etc.) and makes me mentally have to overcome my own negative thoughts. Yes, I've lost weight. Yes, I look great. But what I LOVE most about my workouts with my trainer is that he cares about every single minute we're working out. If I'm late, I run a suicide for every minute. I haven't been late but once or twice because of this and so we start on time every time. He also always has a plan for the workout that day, and we don't stick to a strictly bodybuilding type workout so while Mon. & Fri. are upper body and Weds. is lower body, he's always coming up with different combo workouts to keep it interesting. I never show up and he says, "So what do you want to do today?" or just chit chat for the first 10 minutes, do some squats, chat some more, do some lunges, chat some more... I see trainers doing this with their clients and I just don't get it. I'm there to work... not to flirt and make friends. 10 mins into my workout I'm out of breath and breaking a sweat. Yes, my trainer and I talk during our workouts... but it's 99% of the time about something I read on bb.com (lol, which he HATES to hear me start a sentence that way) or something I read in FitnessRx or just something pertaining to my interest in this or that (always health and fitness related). And I never look cute by the time our hour is up. After my workouts I do an hour of cardio, and a lot of the time he comes over and checks on me and ups my resistance or speed and then walks away. I find it annoying (in a good way), but yet I love it at the same time because I feel like big brother is always watching so I can't really slack off at any time. He's basically my workout "coach" and that's something I've missed since playing sports in h.s. and college.

What drove me to get a trainer in the first place? Well... to be honest, I know I won't push myself the way a trainer will and I'm not licensed to do so anyway so I find a trainer to be really helpful in holding me accountable as well as keeping me motivated. I've been working out with him since November so we've really gotten to know each other and I'm now so comfortable with him that we can stand in front of the mirror and talk about how my body has changed and where I still would like to see improvements. He's very professional and has never made me feel like it was ever about anything other than sculpting my body. Yes, he's attractive and we've become good "friends". But I don't have his personal number, and he doesn't have mine. I do have his email address so I can ask him questions about my cardio days (Tues. and Thurs.) and questions in general about working out or being sore, etc.

I think for sure he's an awesome trainer, but I also think we have a great chemistry. Some women do better with other female trainers... some do better with males. I think the biggest thing is you don't waste anyone's time and you push your client based on what they can handle and what their goals are, because if they aren't seeing results that's a direct representation of you and your craft. Sincerely caring about your clients and their results will steer you to be the best trainer for your clients.