The two major types of clients and how to train them

[Al Shades]

This thread is about a revelation that occured to me. It is the two major types of clients and how to train them, in a nutshell.

Group 1: The Performance Oriented Crowd
Includes Pro Athletes, aspiring athletes, or dedicated recreational trainees

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' strong"

Group 2: The Health/Aesthetics/No-clue-what-they-want crowd (i.e. everyone who doesn't fall into group 1)

Includes housewives, coach potatoes, the terminally obese, weekend warriors, 99.8% of women, seniors, and all the types of people who usually buy personal training.

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' lean and ripped"

You train the first group like powerlifters and the second group like bodybuilders.

That is all you have to do to be a successful trainer. This is my revelation.

[timlaroche]

Elaborate, please

[Al Shades]

On what, specifically?

[dshinton]

How should I train a frail 70 year old woman that is looking to improve strength and balance so she can perform ADLs without falling?

[Al Shades]

How should I train a frail 70 year old woman that is looking to improve strength and balance so she can perform ADLs without falling?

All you have to do is get granny lean and ripped.

P.S. ADL = Anti-Defamation League?

But seriously, personal trainers aren't supposed to be doctors or physical therapists. There are no achievements to be made in working with those types of clients.

[nickmanzoni]

Just get her lean and ripped.

ADL = Anti-Defamation League?

Activities of daily living.

If you don't want to use machines, I suggest using resistance bands. You literally can have her practice going up and down flights of stairs, getting in and out of her chair, and putting on her coat. Just having her do it repeatedly would be enough to get her stronger and more flexible.

[Al Shades]

Yeah, I like bands. They're really versatile. I'm about to order a set for myself.

[3kgtjunkie]

How should I train a frail 70 year old woman that is looking to improve strength and balance so she can perform ADLs without falling?

resistance bands and a wobble board. improves strength and balance. i think if anything balance is the most important. keeps her from falling and breakin ****.

[dshinton]

But seriously, personal trainers aren't supposed to be doctors or physical therapists. There are no achievements to be made in working with those types of clients.

The achievement is getting a client to their goals. Working with the elderly to help their strength and balance is not necessarily physical therapy.

nickmanzoni and 3kgtjunkie, I appreciate your answers, but I asked the question to see if Al Shades would suggest that I train granny like a bodybuilder . It seems that Al's answer is to not train granny in the first place. So I guess, if you only train two groups of people, it is easy to group all clients into two groups

[Al Shades]

The achievement is getting a client to their goals. Working with the elderly to help their strength and balance is not necessarily physical therapy.

nickmanzoni and 3kgtjunkie, I appreciate your answers, but I asked the question to see if Al Shades would suggest that I train granny like a bodybuilder . It seems that Al's answer is to not train granny in the first place. So I guess, if you only train two groups of people, it is easy to group all clients into two groups

As I said, those kinds of people need doctors, nurses, and physical therapists.

I don't consider teaching someone to walk an achievement unless that person is 9 months old.

That's not what I signed up for. I set my standards a bit higher.

Seriously, just get athletes strong, and average people lean. It will work 99% of the time, guaranteed.

[3kgtjunkie]

As I said, those kinds of people need doctors, nurses, and physical therapists.

I don't consider teaching someone to walk an achievement unless that person is 9 months old.

That's not what I signed up for. I set my standards a bit higher.

Seriously, just get athletes strong, and average people lean. It will work 99% of the time, guaranteed.

how did you get your nutrtionist certificate?

[Al Shades]

how did you get your nutrtionist certificate?

By taking the course. What do you mean?

[3kgtjunkie]

By taking the course. What do you mean?

I was looking into it but all the nutrionists I've talked to said it requires a lot course work and a certification from the state. maybe that's just ky. who did u go through?

[nickmanzoni]

I smell "sticky".


Nutritionist v. Dietician: Which one is a personal trainer?

[lhprop1]

Group 1: The Performance Oriented Crowd
Includes Pro Athletes, aspiring athletes, or dedicated recreational trainees


You train the first group like powerlifters and the second group like bodybuilders.

That is all you have to do to be a successful trainer. This is my revelation.

Wow. That's an incredible generalization. Why not just say, "In order to solve starvation, we have to feed people."

If you want to be successful at training successful athletes, you have to train them specific to their sport. Agility, speed, endurance, strength, power, reaction time, and balance are all part of the equation.

If you think that all you need to do to be a successful trainer of performance athletes is make them stronger, you may be financially successful for a while, but you won't have successful athletes.

[kserajuddin]

This thread is about a revelation that occured to me. It is the two major types of clients and how to train them, in a nutshell.

Group 1: The Performance Oriented Crowd
Includes Pro Athletes, aspiring athletes, or dedicated recreational trainees

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' strong"

Group 2: The Health/Aesthetics/No-clue-what-they-want crowd (i.e. everyone who doesn't fall into group 1)

Includes housewives, coach potatoes, the terminally obese, weekend warriors, 99.8% of women, seniors, and all the types of people who usually buy personal training.

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' lean and ripped"

You train the first group like powerlifters and the second group like bodybuilders.

That is all you have to do to be a successful trainer. This is my revelation.

And I think most ALL clients want that FEELING of progress during each session (whether they know it or not) - Some trainers underestimate how important it is to monitor how the clients feel during the actual session - The quality of your session IS your product so you should pay attention to this -

[Anderz]

Lol I'm not trying to cause offence, but that's not 2 groups, you've even put (anyone who doesn't fit into group one) you could put anyone into that group who wasn't an athlete, there's loads of groups... Young guys who just want muscle, women who want to lose bodyfat, people who want a six pack, you get all sorts

[Powerwolf]

Why, lookie there!

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...26191&pageNo=0

Same thread.

[Powerwolf]

Why, lookie there!

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...26191&pageNo=0

Same thread.

[dshinton]

Why, lookie there!

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_...26191&pageNo=0

Same thread.

That's funny; six pages of responses

It seems that the folks over at t-nation like to have fun a little fun before ignoring a post like this.

[BenefitPT]

This guy quoted a stupid person? lol.. Pick someone a little more educated to quote.

[nickmanzoni]

This guy quoted a stupid person? lol.. Pick someone a little more educated to quote.

oh....

my....

god....

[cxm]

This thread is about a revelation that occured to me. It is the two major types of clients and how to train them, in a nutshell.

Group 1: The Performance Oriented Crowd
Includes Pro Athletes, aspiring athletes, or dedicated recreational trainees

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' strong"

Group 2: The Health/Aesthetics/No-clue-what-they-want crowd (i.e. everyone who doesn't fall into group 1)

Includes housewives, coach potatoes, the terminally obese, weekend warriors, 99.8% of women, seniors, and all the types of people who usually buy personal training.

How to train them in a nutshell:
"Just get em' lean and ripped"

You train the first group like powerlifters and the second group like bodybuilders.

That is all you have to do to be a successful trainer. This is my revelation.

bwahahahaha sticky are you serious?

This view seems to come from someone who just wants to make money and screw the client, instead of having them reach their full potential.

[BenefitPT]

oh....

my....

god....

oh my god? Didn't someone else post the same thing and he quoted it, or am I mistaken?

[carl.c]

Al-Shades: You cut off a major source of real income if you ignore the elderly.
They are loyal clients and pay top dollar if you keep them out of nursing homes or give them the ability to live with out assistantce.
It take a little more knowledge then the average trainer has but its worth getting that knowladge.
Generaly speaking your idea is correct for the middle to young group.

[DaPlasurNDaPain]

I'm a "dedicated recreational trainee" and would hate to be in the first group. I would also hate to have you as a trainer (no offense)

[conroeguy34]

Al-Shades: You cut off a major source of real income if you ignore the elderly.
They are loyal clients and pay top dollar if you keep them out of nursing homes or give them the ability to live with out assistantce.
It take a little more knowledge then the average trainer has but its worth getting that knowladge.
Generaly speaking your idea is correct for the middle to young group.

I agree, the elderly are the largest growing demographic out there, kids are second.
My clients are the worst: out of shape, middle-aged cops that want me to do something about the years of neglect they have put thier bodies through. They come to me wanting me to make a workout program for them and when i ask them what they are doing now they respond "nothing". Most of them have far too many risk factors to start a program without going to the doctor first. When they hear "start walking 30 minutes a day 3 times a week" they look at me like I'm speaking french.
Those are the hardest people to get motivated.

[carl.c]

Yep there probably is a lot of ego with that type of client. One thing that work well is to ask them if you can contact the doctor to consult them about a proper level of program. It tends to trap them into doing something since their doctor and trainer are talking about them. Many doctors bulk at the idea but most come around once they get to know you. Its also a good way to get more clients. Once the doc trusts you they will send peopleyour way.

[nickmanzoni]

oh my god? Didn't someone else post the same thing and he quoted it, or am I mistaken?

HE WROTE IT TWO TIMES!

[LJadmas]

The 2 type of clients are the ones who want it, and ones that don't. Long term vs instant gratification