I very much believe in the benefit of having a coach(call me biased). Motivation, accountability, safety, and results are all great things to invest in. I just don't understand why people invest in a coach that doesn't give any of those things. Would you keep taking your car to the same mechanic if the same thing was always breaking? No, you would probably find a new mechanic.
There are so many trainers and coaches out there you don't have to stay with the one you are currently with if you aren't satisfied. Trust me, you would be doing the industry a huge favor by supporting a good trainer and letting the bad trainer go.
Here is a basic checklist to see if you are (have) a good trainer:
1. Trainer is certified and up to date on certifications and education.
This is so very important. You are not a trainer if you are not educated. Stop calling yourself one. This is so dangerous (and stupid) for you and your client. Don't tell me you know how to workout so that means you are qualified. You're not.
2. Trainer is attentive and corrects form and makes the client feel like they are priority.
When I see a client clear across the gym away from their trainer while the trainer is talking to someone else through their whole set of work, I scream. Out loud. This is not okay. Why in the hell would anyone pay for this?!?! Why?!?! Clients need to remember training is a 100% commission business. They have all the power when it comes to their trainer.
3. Trainer has left all of their own problems at the door.
Clients pay to work out their stress and improve their quality life. This has nothing to do with the trainer's personal life. Clients aren't there as the trainer's psychologist; trainers are there to be the client's psychologist and motivation. Clients don't care about trainer problems. They care that the trainer cares about their issues. And if you are a good trainer, you do genuinely care.
4. Client's workout is personalized and not a one-size-fits-all.
This also makes me scream, when a trainer makes up one exercise program for the day and uses it with every client. Every. Single. One. Yes please have your 240, severely deconditioned, new exerciser do the same workout as your young, high school athlete. Please do, tell me how that works. I'd love to know how long your new exerciser lasted. And no, yelling at them to do it or stay fat forever is not the solution. Sure having a core list of exercises to revolve around is great but it has to be personalized for the needs and injuries of every client. In today's world, pretty much every client is going to have an injury or pain of some kind (probably lower back pain). This is where education comes in handy (point number 1).
This list is a very basic list of core values every trainer should have. I haven't even started into the deep stuff. This is all easy, no-brainer necessities. If your trainer doesn't have these, it is definitely time to find a new one. You'll be glad you did.
