What is a GREAT personal trainer?

[Blondell]

3 part question here. Please respond to all three.


What makes a trainer GREAT?

Which attributes are most desirable?

Which attributes are most UNdesirable?




Go into as much detail as you think necessary. Please and thanks. :)

[Mols]

3 part question here. Please respond to all three.


What makes a trainer GREAT?

Which attributes are most desirable?

Which attributes are most UNdesirable?




Go into as much detail as you think necessary. Please and thanks. :)

For me: What makes a trainer GREAT? EXPERIENCE, LOTS OF IT! Coming from somewhere small to somewhere great!

Which attributes are most desirable? Compassion, PATIENCE, a nice physique themselves, dedication, and the TIME to spend on clients. A desire to get to the root of issues such as poor squat/DL form, mobility, etc.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable? Poor attitude, cookie cutter programs, not listening to their clients desires, favoring clients, straight up stupid exercise/diet programs.

[Anca]

For me: What makes a trainer GREAT? EXPERIENCE, LOTS OF IT! Coming from somewhere small to somewhere great!

Which attributes are most desirable? Compassion, PATIENCE, a nice physique themselves, dedication, and the TIME to spend on clients. A desire to get to the root of issues such as poor squat/DL form, mobility, etc.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable? Poor attitude, cookie cutter programs, not listening to their clients desires, favoring clients, straight up stupid exercise/diet programs.

:goodpost: Molly!

[Carolyn]

For me: What makes a trainer GREAT? EXPERIENCE, LOTS OF IT! Coming from somewhere small to somewhere great!

Which attributes are most desirable? Compassion, PATIENCE, a nice physique themselves, dedication, and the TIME to spend on clients. A desire to get to the root of issues such as poor squat/DL form, mobility, etc.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable? Poor attitude, cookie cutter programs, not listening to their clients desires, favoring clients, straight up stupid exercise/diet programs.

:ditto:

[Noel Clark]

For me: What makes a trainer GREAT? EXPERIENCE, LOTS OF IT! Coming from somewhere small to somewhere great!

Which attributes are most desirable? Compassion, PATIENCE, a nice physique themselves, dedication, and the TIME to spend on clients. A desire to get to the root of issues such as poor squat/DL form, mobility, etc.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable? Poor attitude, cookie cutter programs, not listening to their clients desires, favoring clients, straight up stupid exercise/diet programs.

I would agree with a lot of this but a few points
Desirable--first and foremost knowledge--to me everything else is a distant second. The ability to get results. I like the comment about getting to the root of a problem. I also think communication is key. You have to be able to discuss issues or obstacles

Undesirable- dieting wrong-I have seen too many people diet really poorly and actually end up hurting themselves. Not listening to concerns--again, for me this comes back to being able to communicate. The favoring clients doesn't make sense to me though because really--if they have all the desirable qualities and are giving me those things..I really don't care what that trainer is doing for you or anyone else.

[Erik]

I would agree with a lot of this but a few points
Desirable--first and foremost knowledge--to me everything else is a distant second. The ability to get results. I like the comment about getting to the root of a problem. I also think communication is key. You have to be able to discuss issues or obstacles

Undesirable- dieting wrong-I have seen too many people diet really poorly and actually end up hurting themselves. Not listening to concerns--again, for me this comes back to being able to communicate. The favoring clients doesn't make sense to me though because really--if they have all the desirable qualities and are giving me those things..I really don't care what that trainer is doing for you or anyone else.

Agree with this. Including the favourtism part. If you're getting what you're paying for, then I don't see why it would matter if someone else supposedly got more attention. Not to mention, how could anyone even know that? If I was hiring a trainer and I had a 9am appointment, how would I know he gives his 3pm appointment more attention than me? And if I'm getting what I'm paying for, why would I care?

[Pineapple Girl]

A lot of my answers are basically the same as Mols, she said it well... :clap:

What makes a trainer GREAT?
Getting results with a variety of people (different body types / goals). this may vary if you have a specific goal--you would want a trainer that does THAT well

Which attributes are most desirable?
Knowledge, experience, creativity, passion, patience. willingness to take the time to know each client as an individual and tailor a program for them.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable?
Stretched too thin to devote time to training clients. Cookie Cutter programs!!! amen to that. Hard to communicate with--a virtual trainer you never hear back from. but the bills come on time... trying to get everyone to the same result and not the result the individual is looking for. Making it all about fat loss and not strength and fitness too.

[Noel Clark]

A lot of my answers are basically the same as Mols, she said it well... :clap:

What makes a trainer GREAT?
Getting results with a variety of people (different body types / goals). this may vary if you have a specific goal--you would want a trainer that does THAT well

Which attributes are most desirable?
Knowledge, experience, creativity, passion, patience. willingness to take the time to know each client as an individual and tailor a program for them.

Which attributes are most UNdesirable?
Stretched too thin to devote time to training clients. Cookie Cutter programs!!! amen to that. Hard to communicate with--a virtual trainer you never hear back from. but the bills come on time... trying to get everyone to the same result and not the result the individual is looking for. Making it all about fat loss and not strength and fitness too.

That was funny. (well not really but the way you worded it :lol: )

[Pineapple Girl]

That was funny. (well not really but the way you worded it :lol: )

It is funny how some you never hear back from on your questions but that email asking for their fee once a month always makes it through!

[Noel Clark]

It is funny how some you never hear back from on your questions but that email asking for their fee once a month always makes it through!

:sad:

[Cindy Day]

I would agree with a lot of this but a few points
Desirable--first and foremost knowledge--to me everything else is a distant second. The ability to get results. I like the comment about getting to the root of a problem. I also think communication is key. You have to be able to discuss issues or obstacles

Undesirable- dieting wrong-I have seen too many people diet really poorly and actually end up hurting themselves. Not listening to concerns--again, for me this comes back to being able to communicate. The favoring clients doesn't make sense to me though because really--if they have all the desirable qualities and are giving me those things..I really don't care what that trainer is doing for you or anyone else.

This is what I was going to add. Experience is great, but what if they've had 10 years of doing it in a not-so-efficient manner?

Knowledge, results are key for me. I view trainers/coaches like I do a great doctor... bed side manner is a 'nice to have' but give me knowledge and results on my body and I really don't care what they are doing with their other clients. (Unless that other client is my workout partner, then I care cause I have to listen to her :lol: )

Another point... someone I would use again or recommend to someone I care about.

[Mols]

Agree with this. Including the favourtism part. If you're getting what you're paying for, then I don't see why it would matter if someone else supposedly got more attention. Not to mention, how could anyone even know that? If I was hiring a trainer and I had a 9am appointment, how would I know he gives his 3pm appointment more attention than me? And if I'm getting what I'm paying for, why would I care?

oh i didnt mean timewise, like on the clock. I just meant like say giving one client a cookie cutter workout program, while tailoring anothers to their needs specifically, etc. Pretty much just what you said, as long as your getting what your paying for

[sarahlou]

What makes a trainer GREAT? someone who listens carefully, knows their subject, knows what they don't know, and who gets results

Which attributes are most desirable? knowledge and excellent communication skills are inextricably linked - cannot separate these, patience, attentiveness during sessions, bottom line: produces results

Which attributes are most UNdesirable? poor communication skills - does not listen to clients' goals/needs, is not perceptive (doesn't pay attention to client's fitness level, strengths, weaknesses), failure to recognize his/her own limitations (if trainer then not necessarily expert in nutrition, or all forms of exercise, etc.)

[rene7465]

3 part question here. Please respond to all three.


What makes a trainer GREAT?

Which attributes are most desirable?

Which attributes are most UNdesirable?




Go into as much detail as you think necessary. Please and thanks. :)



A great trainer is one who listens to his/her client. One who actually works towards the clients goals. One who is honest and realistic. Very knowledgeable and has a long, good track record of real results with many different kinds of people. Someone who is able to admit when they don't know something or are not able to get you to your goal. A great trainer is motivating. One who lives what he/she preaches. Someone who stays up on current education regarding training and nutrition. OH and who is not only able to train but must know nutrition.

A great trainer obviously does not make cookie cutter programs and does not believe one thing works for everyone. (ie. if you run you will be thin).
A great trainer especially online is available and keeps in touch.
I agree with being able to help work through problems and assuring proper technique. I see bad technique all the time. I have been guilty of it myself.

Undesirable attributes are...well I think I covered them above. It is nice to have someone nice. But I like a trainer to be tuff. Take no bullshit and work me hard. So personality is not a must but is nice. I totally agree with the doctor analogy, most often if a doctor has a great personality he is an awful doctor. (some may say not. But you may not get to see the not so good doctor side...I see it all the time). There are some who have both but it is not the majority. So experience and results are what are truly important. Again, you most likely cannot get that without all the above.

I think that about covers it.
If your trainer is HOT that is always a bonus:wink:

[linnaete]

If your trainer is HOT that is always a bonus:wink:

:lol3:

All the previous posts are great! I remember a long while back a had a few free sessions at the gym I was going to. When I got there I asked my trainer if he could show me how to do deadlifts and squats and he sort of gave me this look like I was insane. Then told me he wasn't sure if he was allowed to do that :wtf: I saw a bunch of people with his little exercise sheets they were filling out, all on machines, and all in line to do the same exercises.

I want someone who will pay attention to me and my needs and what my goals are. I know sometimes it's really hard to focus 100% on someone's goals if you don't agree with them, and that's where I also understand the selectivity that some trainers need to have when gaining clients. It's a very personal relationship. You're putting your well-being into the hands of someone else, trusting that they are going to guide you to achieving your goals. They see you through your ups and downs. Getting a good trainer is almost more important than a getting a good boyfriend. :lol3:

[fatty27]

Oh I could add some opinions to this thread ;) Might end up getting mad though.

[Cass]

Oh I could add some opinions to this thread ;) Might end up getting mad though.

Good post!! :thumb:

[Cass]

It is funny how some you never hear back from on your questions but that email asking for their fee once a month always makes it through!


:sad:

:sad: x 1000000000

[fatty27]

Good post!! :thumb:

Thanks, I thought it was too.

[RpH]

Knowledge and results.

[Meechel]

Knowledge and results.

exactly! :thumb:

[Blondell]

:bump: