Personal Training

[makedah]

One more thing -- it seems to me that for less than the cost of keeping trainers on staff, gyms could print some guides with simple pics or illustrations and a bibliography and list of good websites. They could also hold regular (or occasional) group classes (at different levels) in which a trainer showed them how to do certain things and gave them form pointers. I did a one-night class like this at my university.

Off the cuff, it just seems to me that any of the above methods still puts the onus on the gym member to learn how to do these moves and improve themselves, whereas advertising their "personal trainers" may really draw people who are looking for "full service."

 

[TheProject]

Let's not confuse gym hosts/hostesses with "trainers."

I'm reminded of the gym host that was giving training advice that made you absolutely nuts...

 

[Daisy_Girl]

People usually want a trainer because they cannot motivate themselves to workout. I cannot tell you how many people told me that the reason they wanted a trainer was because they didn't like to workout, so unless they were paying money for a trainer and had a standing appointment, they wouldn't come to the gym. Waste of money and time. Again, I'll say I think if you cannot motivate yourself to do it, you will fail.

There are few people who actually NEED a trainer. Trainers can be good for 3-5 sessions with people who have never lifted and want to know the basics and then they'll do it ontheir own. But there is a HUGE assumption that the trainer actually knows proper form and can truely explain the basics in those couple sessions. Doubtful, unfortunately.....

The celebrity theory is a good one - I imagine if I were clueless about fitness I could see making the assumption Trainer=Results.

 

[makedah]

What do you think Elite is for?

Uh...procrastination? tee hee

I SOOO glad I found this place. Y'all saved me a LOT of wasted time and energy and maybe even some injury.

There are lots of folks out there who don't want to take responsibility for their own health and fitness. They just want someone to tell them what to do. That's one of the reasons why why I get peeved when I see gents come in here asking for help for their ladies. That might be okay to start, but when is SHE coming in here to learn for HERSELF?

 

[Arioch]

This is why when people ask if I personal train, I always say no.

I was informed by wife that my attitude is showing, in words to the effect of "Dear, when you post you shouldn't be the same arrogant, elitist bastard you are when you are at work." So I would like to point out that I am sure there are some decent personal trainers, they are just few and far between.

The reason the entire personal training thing gets on my nerves is that when I used to discuss strength training with people outside of my work environment, I would frequently get 'but my trainer said squats are bad for your knees' or some other sort of stupidity, both on the part of the trainer and the individual in question who did not even put forth the effort to do a little bit of research, even wrt who they should be listening to.

 

[Hannibal]

Hannibal and I took my son to the park the other night, and a couple on a bench asked me if I play softball. I said, no and asked why. They said, "Then what do you do to get your legs like that?" As if softball would be one of those things (doh). I told them what I do. They asked me what I would charge to train them. They didn't ask my background, what I do, how long I've been doing it...nothing. They looked at my quads. I could've been a complete moron with good genentics for all they knew. The lady was eating a big mac and drinking a coke. The husband said, "She doesn't want to do no squats, and maker her butt big." Being the blunt person that I am, I asked "You think squats will make her ass bigger than that BigMac will?" Now this guy was a brother (a.k.a. brutha) so I KNEW those weren't HIS words coming out. :lmao

You see the things you miss out on when you just go to the park to slide on the slide and blow bubbles.....oh well I had fun

 

[p03t1c]

sometimes the best things in life are the simple ones. watching fireworks...a walk in the rain...playing H O R S E in the driveway...good times

 

[Hannibal]

sometimes the best things in life are the simple ones. watching fireworks...a walk in the rain...playing H O R S E in the driveway...good times

simple pleasures....what life is all about...

 

[Gladiola]

"I should dig up ACSM's recommendations for minimal exercise effort for health - that'll be highly amusing. "

****I am familiar with them, thanks

I had no doubt that you were - but I'm sure many others on the board are not familiar with them & that's why I thought they'd be amusing to post.

Considering how weak humanity has become, anyone who puts forth effort into maintaining some sort of average level of performance is just further indication that my lousy attitude toward people in general (yes, I admit it) is fully justified.

I love you.
I just hope that the OL trainer I'm going to start working with is at least half as cool, fun, & people-oriented as you, my friend.

 

[Arioch]

Well go ahead then.

I will out myself. I have a membership in the ACSM.

Actually, Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise is a very informative journal. I just dislike their attempt at 'dumbing things down' for lack of a better way to put it, for people. Even I give people more credit than they seem to. But then I usually get disapointed. Oh well.

And you know me, I am all about people.