Comments on: PT Education: The First Month with a New Client

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Tweets that mention PT Education: The First Month with a New Client -- Topsy.com — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:06:37 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Craig Harper, Craig Harper, The Vincent Party, Didar Khalsa, Rae Cattach and others. Rae Cattach said: thinks that there are a lot of PT's out there that need to read this article: http://bit.ly/bl5O8A [...]

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:55:03 +0000

WOW!!! how sad it is to read all the bad experiences some of you have had with your personal trainer(s).
I am a Personal trainer and absolutely love my job….although I dont see it as work. I have been training some clients for over 5 years from when I first started as a PT and now have around 65 clients many who have been training for at least 3+ years.
I believe the number one rule to being not just a good personal trainer but a personal trainer with a difference is building rapport with your clients…it’s a pity they can’t teach this during the PT course. You can have the best program in the world, but if you can’t/don’t connect with your client it is useless. It’s not just about giving your client your time during their session and making them work hard, but also about listening to what they say about their lives away from their session and taking an interest. I had a client who had her first triathlon yesterday, so Saturday I sent a message wishing her all the best, then last night I sent a message asking her how she went. Tonight she thanked me for showing an interest and how my message meant so much to her…to me, it is just something you do, but from what I am reading above, obviously its not…which is very sad.
Yes there are sessions that end up more of a counselling session, but I could/would never dream of brushing my clients concerns off. It’s not just about the results on the outside of a person, but I believe working on the inside of person is just as important, if not more important. If/when a client feels better on the inside, the outside generally follows with longer lasting results.
It’s disturbing to see so many trainers come and go and how self absorb they are. All they think about is their business and making money, then after 12 months they wonder why they don’t have many clients and start considering a change of career. Yet when they walked around the gym, they never smiled, would only talk to someone when they were trying to sell PT, then when that person didn’t show an interest they would never talk to them again.
So my one piece of advice (apart from what Craig has already mentioned and my comments above) to any new trainers or someone considering becoming a personal trainer ………SMILE!!!! Whether it is 6am or 9pm, you will be amazed at how many people notice and how business will come to you.
And to clients with a personal trainer……….IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY GET A NEW TRAINER. It may take a few trainers to find the right person for you, but you are paying for a service and deserve the best.
Cheers and always smiling
Rhonda

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:54:15 +0000

Thanks for the article Craig,

It has come at a great time for me as I started my PT course today. I’ll be looking for more, as I think it is important that we give our clients the best – after all, that’s what they fork out their dollars for.

Cheers,
Sandra

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:09:03 +0000

Craig, thank you!
Last Friday I finished up my comfortable 17 year career in finance to work solely in the PT business I have been establishing part time for the last couple of years.
I truly appreciate your advice and am taking it with me as I head into the adventure of learning, creating and promoting good health, healing, humour and harmony to many!
Thanks again!!

By: Frankie

Frankie — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:58:53 +0000

I did about 40 hour prac at *insert nameless all female gym here* a while back as part of my requirement for my Ex Science degree. I was absolutely horrified at how some of the brand new clients were totally thrashed by the trainers. Some so much that they could not attend their next session due to extreme muscle soreness. NO IDEA.

Not only that, they gave them very difficult moves to do for a beginner and wasted a lot of time in isolation exercises (these were women trying to lose 20kg not enter a figure comp).

Luckily management stepped in after quite a few complaints and also due to some observations from a member who was physio who used to sit and do her cardio while watching others being trained who told them she thought they were practising and teaching some dangerous techniques.

A blanket order was given to all the PT’s that they were only to use compound exercises from then on..and actually specified which exercises to do – for ALL clients. I doubt that going to the other extreme really helped either.

Was glad to get out of there. I had one of the PT’s (who I was observing and ‘learning’ from) who’d done an 8 week course and been working 6 months, asking ME how to train if you have muscle imbalance and then having to show her the correct technique for several exercises.

Not bashing PT’s at ALL…..just bad ones.

By: Nat

Nat — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:12:38 +0000

I’ve been a registered nurse for 20 years and decided to leave the sickness industry and join the health industry to become a PT. I must admit I was disappointed in my course because I wanted more knowledge, but to gain that formal knowledge I wanted via a degree is not an option at this stage in my life. So I read everything and anything on biomechanics and exercise physiology. I moved to a country town in which I’m the only qualified PT so seeking a mentor wasn’t an option either. I wanted to work as a PT but lacked the confiedence in my own ability and knowledge so I bought into a franchise specialising in group outdoor personal training.

On a whole the franchise is great and I do (I think) all of the points raised, BUT I struggle with number 2 (don’t kill them). In my heart and my nursing / PT knowledge tells me not to work them so hard but the group setting and the structure of the program makes number 2 difficult to control sometimes. I know I have lost potential clients because they worked too hard – despite me saying “work within your own capability, rest if you need to for the first session, so I can assess your starting point.”

Hey I’m only new at this PT game and the wonderful results I’m seeing and the feedback I get from my clients beats working in the sickness industry any day!!!

By: Mandi P

Mandi P — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:41:39 +0000

Hi Craig,
you article is very educational for trainees as well as trainers. I am going to look at getting personal training again. I left my last one for reasons 3 and 6. He did a half baked data gathering session in my first session and for the next 6 months didn’t collect any again to see if I had changed (hopefully for the better) and nearly every single session he started it 5 mins late and finished up 3 mins early and talked about himself all the way through (there are too many mirrors in the gym and he knew where to find himself in every single one). I know I should have had enough gumption to say something to him. His “best” effort was to run 45 mins late, after that long warming up on the cross trainer and treadmill I think I was over warmed and wasn’t able to put as much into the session.
I am going to look at your list when I find my next personal trainer and if they don’t tick all the boxes I am going to move on pretty fast. If only all the personal trainers out there lived up to the bench marks you set here as I think they are realistic and professional.
cheers

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:52:19 +0000

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by craigharper: Latest Post PT Education: The First Month with a New Client: A New Direction Hi Team, as I promised in my first po… http://bit.ly/c2qWSx...

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:42:59 +0000

Great Article. With time comes experience. I have been a trainer for over two years now and are learning and refining every day.
I try my utmost to give every client the attention they need, and have realised some need more loving than others. I try to always encourage communication with my clients. Sometimes I feel like a dumping ground for the emotions of many. I have done some great work in my community and nothing tops it off more than the emails and cards I constantly receive. I have learnt that I cannot help everyone, some people know they need to change but still cannot commit to themselves. I try hard to not to take things too personally as if I did I probably would stop. I know I am but the provider of the tools and it is up to my clients to utilisise them. I value and respect your writing Craig and I thank you for providing an honest account of your world. I find that my integrity and work ethic are what keeps my clients coming back. Some days are hard, and some are too easy, but all makes for an intersting flight.
Cheers Linda

By: Kristy

Kristy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:27:45 +0000

I have been training for a number of years with someone who i consider to be the best personal trainer in the world. She is caring, works me hard for the times I am with her, encourages me, helps me not only with training but also with some personal things/issues.

I am currently unemployed and the money side of things will soon become an issue but my training is something that I simply wont give up. In terms of results well I cant say that they come easily or have come much at all, the fitness is certainly there and although I am “obese” I am quite fit at the same time.

There have been times when I have thought about chucking in the towel, but if i didn’t train at all I would be even more “obese” so given I have found what I consider to be the best trainer in the whole of Melbourne then I am not yet willing to cease the training I do with her.

I know there are some ordinary trainers out there who dont look out for the best interests of their clients and personally if my trainer ever left where we go I would either follow her to a different gym or stop training. (there isn’t anyone else I would train with)

Ive had a number of injuries over the times ive trained with her and never once have I had to stop training and not work out because there is always something that can be done even with injuries and my trainer is 100% flexible in everything.

Anyway that’s my two bobs worth, I think the world of my trainer for everything she has done for me in every way….. I just wanted to share.

Enjoy your day folks