7 Mistakes Personal Trainers Often Make

If you're springing for a personal trainer, you want to make sure you're getting the best workout for your time. "That hour is yours, and it’s yours to do what you want to do with it," says Melissa Paris, founder of Melissa Paris Fitness. If your trainer is guilty of one of these mistakes, getting an optimal workout can be downright difficult. Check out a few of the more common transgressions to make sure your next trainer is sin-free.

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Being Late

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"It's okay if you're late, but a trainer never should be," says Paris. "And they should always confirm! Even if it's a regular appointment." Paris says not every trainer will offer this, but if your trainer does reschedule on you or change your appointment at the last minute, she likes to give a free session to the client. "Other trainers hate me for it!" she says, though it may be worth checking if your trainer has a similar policy.

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"It's okay if you're late, but a trainer never should be," says Paris. "And they should always confirm! Even if it's a regular appointment."

Paris says not every trainer will offer this, but if your trainer does reschedule on you or change your appointment at the last minute, she likes to give a free session to the client. "Other trainers hate me for it!" she says, though it may be worth checking if your trainer has a similar policy.

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Comments

[Jez Davis]

01:51 PM on 11/09/2011

It's nice to see that you take your journalism so seriously.

Having basically allowed one particular trainer to ghost their own advertisement for you by drafting an arbitrary list of seven points (why seven and not eight? Nine? Thirteen?), you then set about damaging a highly-respected trainer's reputation and business. When the mistake is pointed out you refuse to correct, retract or even comment.

I suspect that your readers will fast be becoming aware of the cynical and carefree (careless?) way in which you go about earning a wage. Shameful.

[Cj Swaby]

08:15 AM on 11/08/2011

I have no respect for sloppy journalism, or content that has not been authorised. In the above article, under "Working outside their qualifications" is clearly a picture of myself, Cj Swaby, Director of CJS Kettlebells, and CJS Fitness.

I am fully qualified to teach kettlebells and have taught nationally and internationally, with organisations such as the IKFF, and have appeared at numerous fitness expos including on of the largest in Europe, Body Power.

At no point was use of this image authorised, or permission given to use it. Rather than pointing to other industries, journalists should be focusing on their own incomeptencies and seeking to rectify their own failures.

Remove my image immediately, and you have been notified via email to action this as well.

Cj Swaby
CJS Kettlebells
(google me).

[Christian Vila]

11:56 AM on 11/08/2011

I can back up CJ's statement. Having trained with CJ, I can confirm he is fully qualified and certified under the IKFF to teach Kettlebells, and he does this very well!
Furthermore in this photo he is showing perfect technique in the snatch!

This is poor journalism! Get your facts right and use appropriate photos!

Christian Vila
Brighton Kettlebells
www.brightonkettlebells.co.uk

[gsdfitness]

04:05 PM on 11/08/2011

I can certainly back up Cj and his background. I am a Personal Trainer myself and have worked under Cj and developed my skills from learning from a person that is passionate about what he does. I am also certified under the IKFF and this picture is a complete disrespect to someone who has inspired others to bigger and better things and not following the status quo out there.

Gavin

[Nidal]

01:49 AM on 11/08/2011

I had a trainer in Plano who used to eat egg whites, get on Facebook, text, scream at you if u has to change times at the last minute, tell her personal problems to everyone. You pretty mch had to be in charge of your own workout. I didn't realize how bad she was until I read these comments about personal trainers. She wouldn't help u if you had really heavy weights- I had to tell herto help me with a 25 lb barbell on my chest. the list goes on and on.

[Nidal]

01:39 AM on 11/08/2011

I

[samknox]

09:01 PM on 11/07/2011

So, basically this is just an advertisement for Melissa Paris Fitness.

[AngryTrainerFit]

04:00 PM on 11/07/2011

People spend more time checking out reviews of TV's and cars than they do when looking for a Personal Trainer. I've shared a checklist of sorts, with questions prospective trainees should be asking before letting anyone train them. Check it out!
http://www.angrytrainerfitness.com/2010/10/ask-alfonso-picking-the-perfect-trainer/

[sixpackgal28]

03:09 PM on 11/07/2011

And for buddy below who commented on "you don't know what overtraining is" - she had the "gist' of it defined. But really it is simply not giving your body enough time to recover from exercise / and or physical activty. There are many degrees of overtraining and it often occurs with marathoners; triatheletes, etc. who are training for an event and can sometimes over-do it with their passion to win. Everything in moderation. Listen to your body is always the best advice to give someone.

[sixpackgal28]

03:03 PM on 11/07/2011

Great Article ! I am a personal trainer and am constantly surprised by other trainers behaviors. I have done "mystery shopping" to do some comparison and it pays to ask questions ! After all; you're cirrect - it your body and your $$$. You deserve your trainer to "Be Here Now" !

[HerrMonk]

01:51 PM on 11/07/2011

You need a trainer who is knowledgeable in an area you want to train in.

Certification one way or another is pretty arbitrary, Most certifications are a joke, and are something the provider needs to think about for liability reasons than the client needs to think about.

[CalGalRoyale]

03:35 PM on 12/01/2011

So true. Certifications are mainly a joke but I guess people need to see them to believe that their trainer is qualified. Trainers can usually refer some of their other clients (who agree in advance) to provide testimonials so that's another way to help you find a decent trainer. The list above is just so obvious that it really didn't need to be listed. Sounds too self promoting to me.

[TXanimal]

11:56 AM on 11/07/2011

Something I see that's common at the big chains is one-size-fits all workouts...the training manager punches a few buttons on the computer and the printer spits out a generic workout. Trainers are given very little freedom to adjust much more than reps and sets for their clients. Workouts should be tailored to the individual's needs and goals. I had some clients who responded very well to high-intensity circuits, and others who responded better to traditional weight-training routines. One reason I usually recommend locally-owned gyms or training studios.

[StarDagger]

11:32 AM on 11/07/2011

I let all my personal and professional contacts know that the cell phone is in the fully off position when I am with them, otherwise I will just walk out of the meeting and they will have to reschedule.
Part of the perks of running you own consulting firm. They get really upset when they realize they still have to pay me for the entire hour.

In general I think society has gone too far with being "in contact". I see this disease in business all the way to online gaming, where people will do stupid things for phone calls. The answering machine and voice mail do work!

Unless you are a surgeon or fireman on call, turn the thing off when you are with someone who expects/deserves your attention.

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[OD Williams]

10:37 AM on 11/07/2011

One big mistake trainers make is going too hard on their clients, right off the bat.

Many trainers lose clients early because they push their clients way too hard in the very first session, making them associate working out with extreme soreness and in pain. That makes an uninitiated person think this is how it's going to be from now on (many don't know post-workout soreness can reduce and subside greatly with time and dedication). It adds to the likelihood that they'll quit early on before they get a chance to see any results.

I always believe the first few sessions should be very easy, especially with novices. Let them get used to the moves and structure before you ratchet up intensity. People stay on much longer when they're not bombarded right away.

I'm amazed at how many personal trainers don't get this simple philosophy.

[roarkee12]

11:28 AM on 11/07/2011

I was just about to post this too. Too many trainers don't seem to understand the concept of over training.

[HerrMonk]

01:13 PM on 11/07/2011

Neither do you.

That's not what over training is.

[lcisme70]

11:58 AM on 11/09/2011

I workout with a personal trainer...I don't pay the amount of money I pay for them to take it easy on me, even for the first couple of sessions. I'd be cheating myself. He knows my limitations as far as injuries go, but other than that...no pain, no gain.