Personal training gets a bad rap.
It’s true, the information a trainer will tell you can be found absolutely for free
on the internet.
And it doesn’t help that training certifications are very easily obtained… on the internet.
Thus, the personal training industry is diluted with inexperienced trainers, hinging on their
own fitness experiences to teach others.
Even some trainers that have more fitness knowledge aren’t exactly great teachers.
Fact is, although knowledge is important, there’s more…
intangible factors that great trainers possess.
Factors and characteristics that you won’t find on the internet that are important for
helping you reach your goals.
That being said, here are the top five characteristics I think good trainers should possess.
Number 5: Simplify instructions.
Sometimes, personal trainers can get carried away with expressing their knowledge…
too much.
Again, knowledge is important, but if your job is to teach someone exercises or understanding
nutrition, the last thing you want to do is make things too complicated.
If a trainer is busy explaining the attached origins related to the humeral joint and acromion
process, then they might be more interested in stroking their ego than helping.
A good personal trainer should know how to simplify things in a language you will understand.
Number 4: Sets a realistic tone.
In today’s society, we want things done quickly.
And unfortunately, fitness marketing has created unrealistic expectations for us to follow.
Trainers that care more about you paying them rather than you achieving any meaningful results
will often regurgitate the same, false expectations.
A true, well-meaning trainer knows how difficult it can be to get results.
They won’t fabricate expectations just to keep you happy so you continue to line their
pockets.
A good trainer will know how to convey realistic goals, temper any concerns you might have,
and help you continue treading along the right direction.
Number 3: Is easy to connect with.
Again, knowledge isn’t everything.
Imagine that professor in school you found completely unrelatable and boring.
It was hard to pay attention and learn from that professor even though they had fourteen
different doctorates.
Now imagine having a trainer that you will spend at least an entire hour of your day
with one-on-one while feeling like there’s a barrier of awkwardness between the two of
you.
It’s not going to be a good time.
A good trainer will be able to mesh with your personality, and feel like they’re one of
your good friends and someone you can openly talk to.
Sure, there should still be a line of professionalism, but the more you can relate to your trainer,
the easier it is for both of you to work together.
Number 2: Does more listening than telling.
The key to success for most trainers boil down to their ability to listen to the client
rather than constantly talking over them.
True, you’re paying a trainer to tell you how to reach your goals.
But, the only way a trainer will develop a path that is made specifically for you, instead
of some cookie cutter plan, is by first listening.
Whether that’s understanding your food preferences, being aware of certain physical or psychological
pains you’re dealing with, or understanding your strength and limitations, a good trainer
will work within your specific means.
So, if you have a trainer that is more ears and less mouth, then you might be in good
hands.
And finally, number 1: Willing to say, “I don’t know.”
It might seem contradictory...
How can someone be good at something if they don’t know all the answers?
But the world of health and fitness is filled with so many different problems and solutions
that’s it’s practically impossible for one person to understand the specifics of
every single diet, every single cause for your imbalances, every single cause for pain,
or every single hormone level in your body.
A trainer that is true to you and more importantly, true to themselves, will learn to concede
and sometimes tell you, the answer to your question is, “I don’t know… but, I will
do my best to find out.”
A truly good, no…
GREAT trainer will know how to put their ego aside, keep an open mind, avoid giving you
bad answers that might do more harm than good, and strive to understand more and more each
day.
Don’t trust a trainer that says they know all the answers.
They simply don’t.
There’s never a time where a trainer should ever stop learning.
And, that’s my TOP 5 things to look for in a good personal trainer.
For those seeking one now, I hope this helps you find someone that can sincerely help you
with your goal.
For those that have worked with great trainers, share some of your thoughts on what makes
a good personal trainer below.
Maybe you can help someone today as well.
As always, thank you for watching!