Top 10 Characteristics of a Great Personal Trainer
Having taken a few swings at personal trainers in previous posts, I have prepared this top 10 list to support the growing legion of exceptional trainers out there!….
10. Knowledgeable- Up to date with current exercise research
Any trainer that cares about their client will at least read about changes to their craft. Whether they get their information from published research or an online source is really inconsequential…the point is they care enough to continue learning!
9. Fit – They have a great physique
I have only ever taken advice from people that I feel are living their message. This is extremely important in anything we do. I wouldn’t trust a hockey coach who has never played the game, nor would I be motivated by a trainer that doesn’t look the part.
8. Effective Communicator
All great leaders know how to communicate. The skill to provide context and meaning when teaching a person to train properly is an amazing asset. Think back to the teachers/mentors in your life who were able to fill your mind with useful knowledge effortlessly. They are great communicators and know how to convey a message, thus have the ability to empower us!
7. Great Listener
Some people just don’t listen. The desire to be heard is so great that people prefer to be around others who are willing to listen to them (not judge, interrupt, or solve their problem immediately). Most trainers spend a lot of time talking, but they would be better off heeding the advice of this old Chinese proverb.
To listen well, is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation
6. Insist their clients follow some type of nutrition plan
Any trainer that truly wants you to succeed will at least ask you about your diet. If a trainer thinks that a one hour boot camp is all that is required to achieve sustainable results. they are out of touch with reality. Nutrition is essential to a solid body transformation plan, and if a trainer doesn’t want to discuss it, turn the other way…….
5. Understand the Importance of Cardio
Most personal trainers I see are pumping core work like it is going out of style. They are teaching stomach flattening exercises that are much more creative than they are effective. It’s amazing how quick certain exercises fall out of favour with the general public. Good ol’ fashioned cardio is still great! New forms of cardio, specifically High Intensity Interval Training are the way to go, and should be a part of any plan.
4. Giving – Give clients the tools to succeed on their own
If your personal trainer is really indispensable then they won’t mind sharing their secrets with you. A trainer with a give first attitude is worth keeping!
3. Patient – Take time to goal set with the client (listening, not telling)
A good teacher always works with a goal in mind. If a trainer doesn’t take the time to set goals with their client, then they are not worth the money!
2. Flexible – Never force clients to see them for a minimum number of times per week
Great trainers should be able to have complete flexibility in terms of training schedules. If that means providing clients with at home workouts to supplement their one on one training sessions then that’s what they will do.
1. Humble – Never lead clients to believe that their method is the only way to can get results. (If somebody ever claims that, just turn the other way)
Some trainers actually believe that they have a secret that nobody else knows. This simply is not true. Great trainers realize that everyone has access to great information, and if they are smart will add value to those resources.
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Great insights. I agree with these and would also add that they give you their complete attention. It drives me crazy when I see a trainer who is supposed to be working with a client, but they are talking to friends or flirting with girls while someone is paying them for their help.
Tom,
Great addition. That would be a really frustrating situation. I have noticed trainers with a wandering eye in the past and I just end up feeling bad for their clients.
Excellent advice!
A flexible trainer is very important. It is very common for a trainer to get on someone’s case because they can’t make the Wednesday at 12:30 session (just an example), when the poor lady is perhaps trying to juggle being a mom, having a sick kid, etc. The trainer has to be conscious of his client’s priorities.
And yes, they must be humble. None of this “my way or the highway” mentality because believe me, if you give an unmotivated person the highway option they will take the first bus on to the interstate.
-Sam
Sam,
Thanks for your thoughts. Being humble is such a favourable quality. Even as a coach, when my team loses I have so much respect for an opposing coach when they are humble. It truely is a great quality for anyone to have, especially a personal trainer.
Nice, I’m working on my cert right now so this is very helpful!!
I’m all for walking the walk too, I’ve been busting my butt so that I look like a trainer you would want advice from
Katie,
You are already a trainer worth listening to. Good luck with the certification process!
You’re bang on: getting advice from an out-of-shape trainer is like getting budgeting tips from the government.
Brock,
SO TRUE!
Number 4 is crucial. I’ve known a few people who’ve used personal trainers and no matter how long they work together, the client never learns how to take care of themselves. I think the best teachers aim to make themselves redundant.
Michael
Michael,
Depending on individual circumstance I can understand why some people might need a trainer full time. If you are not a high level athlete however, I think you are exactly right. The best trainers or teachers give their students the tools to succeed on their own.
Jordan,
I think being fit should be a requirement. Personally, I would never take fitness advice from someone who is overweight because they clearly either don’t know what they are talking about or don’t care enough to practice what they preach.
Alykhan
Alykhan,
That thought played a major role in my own transformation. If you are going to teach people how and why to be fit, then being at least moderately fit should be a prerequisite.
Sometimes the nutritional aspect is a bit touchy. I always give nutritional advice, whether it be to my clients, with my products, or on my blog. A few times I’ve been called out by some nutritionists that I’m stepping in their territory and that I have no right to be there just as much as they don’t have the right to be in my area. It’s a fine line but, really, I can’t imagine a nutritionist not giving some basic exercise advice or a trainer not giving out some nutritional advice. IMO, the two have to go hand in hand so I’ll just take my chances and keep giving out my thoughts and advice (with a disclaimer of course:) ).
#9 & #4 are so important. I just don’t know how you’re suppose to trust someone to whip your body into shape when they look like they haven’t moved off the couch in decades…
If you don’t give your clients the tools to succeed on their own they’ll probably get discouraged and give up (which reflects poorly on you) or they might feel like you’re trying to get them to buy more sessions with you.
Interesting post.
~ H
Harlow,
Thanks for commenting. You make a great point!
Cheers,
Jordan