Tips on finding a Personal Trainer

[marcus aurellis]

So it's almost New years and I suspect quite a few of you are contemplating getting back in shape and that probably means joining a gym and hiring (or at least thinking about) a Personal Trainer. AS a Certified (Can-Fit-Pro) Personal Trainer, here are a few tips when selecting one:

Just because there certified dosen't mean there qualified. ANYONE can become a Personal Trainer simply by taking a simple exam. Even the 2 major, reputable Certifaction Agencies (CPTN and Can-Fit-Pro) only require you to buy there Course Manual and take a test, Nothing more.

If your trainer looks like he/she hasn't worked out a day in there life, they probably havent. You would be surprised how many Trainers have little if no practical experience at all.

Find someone close to your age. Nothing is sadder than a 20 yearold trying to show a 50 yearold there way around a gym. Most 20 year old Trainers no little about there own bodies and absolutely nothing about the different, specific needs of an older, inexperienced beginner.

Make sure they speak in laymans terms when describing each exercise and which muscles it involves. There are over 600 muscles in the body and to describe all of them and how they interact would take days. You are there to get in shape, not take an anatomy class.

If they try and sell you protein drinks, energy bars or sun tanning packages, walk away. You are there to get in shape and it isn't cheap. The last thing you need is to be spending even more $$$ on these unecessary items.

Hope this helps.

Marcus Aurellis
what we do in life, echoes in eternity

 

[shytype]

or if you really want to get in shape...go shovel the snow..rake the leaves..take the garbage out..clean the car...need more ? come over to my house and I'll train you for free..I'll tell you what muscle groups to exercise as you
cut trees and clean my lot for me! I'll teach you to exercise all of your muscle groups and it won't cost you a cent...

 

[marcus aurellis]

Lol

or if you really want to get in shape...go shovel the snow..rake the leaves..take the garbage out..clean the car...need more ? come over to my house and I'll train you for free..I'll tell you what muscle groups to exercise as you
cut trees and clean my lot for me! I'll teach you to exercise all of your muscle groups and it won't cost you a cent...

Ive never seen a workout program involving leaf raking or garbage disposal.
I guess if everyone followed your techniques, we would all be in great shape. Actually, improperly shovelling the driveway is one of the leading causes of heart attacks amongst elderly males. Its an anaerobic (strength) endevor rather than an aerobic (cardio) one. So shovel wisely.

Marcus Aurellis
what we do in life, echoes in eternity

 

[shytype]

marcus,
maybe you should come over and I'll give you a workout program involving leaf raking and garbage disposal and teach you how to properly shovel my driveway. And what does your catch line really mean? "what we do in life, echoes in eternity" ? sorry for the slagging...just had it with all the sales routines from all these so called "Trainers". I was a professional athlete for a few years and came to the realization that most trainers had no idea about health and fitness.

 

[marcus aurellis]

Your correct on a couple of things

marcus,
maybe you should come over and I'll give you a workout program involving leaf raking and garbage disposal and teach you how to properly shovel my driveway. And what does your catch line really mean? "what we do in life, echoes in eternity" ? sorry for the slagging...just had it with all the sales routines from all these so called "Trainers". I was a professional athlete for a few years and came to the realization that most trainers had no idea about health and fitness.

I would love do discuss your leaf raking/garbage dispossal training regimin. Maybe you are simply ahead of your time.

Seriously, you are correct that most Trainers do give a sales pitch trying to push extra sessions, supplements, tanning packages etc, on you and alot of them have limited practical knowledge. They are simply following the guidelines of the club they work for as these items generate a lot of revenue.

The "catch line" is from the movie Gladiator, hence the monicker Marcus Aurellis.

 

[shytype]

marcus,
in reply of your catch line ...may Gaius bless you with a wealth of clients..
as you seem to be one of integrity, and not just a guy lookin for a new quick buck sale..for those looking for a simple solution..get off your back sides and start to walk...slow at first, then increase your walking to a brisk pace over time.

 

[RTRD]

There is some truth to what you say here...

i always go with the female trainers.....my first trainer was a guy and he was kind of weird....later found out he was gay.....then things started to make sense....e.g he'd ask me to feel his biceps while he showed me how to use some of the machines......so now i stick with the female trainers....still havent figured why gay guys hit on me

...but the problem is when you move up to training with REALLY big weights the females just aren't able to spot you. For that very reason all of my regular trainers have been male.

I have been trained by females before - periodically the female trainers at my gym will offer discount sessions and donate the money to charity (essentially donating their time to the charity in question) and I scarf those up as quickly as I can. Those ladies always kick my butt with a very good workout - no question.

But if your goal is to get STRONG...and you already are pretty strong (I played football in high school and University), you are pretty much limited to guys....