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They may seem superhuman at times, but personal trainers are people, too. And although they love sharing their workout wisdom and helping people reach their goals, there are a few things that might get under their skin when they're training a client. As a personal trainer myself, I've had a lot of conversations with other trainers about what irks them. While some clients' personalities may rub a trainer the wrong way, a good trainer will never let that get in the way of a good professional session. However, there are some client no-no's that are more than just personality quirks—they're detrimental to both a trainer's and client's success in the gym. Read on for the six biggest faux pas that are could be driving your personal trainer crazy but are also hampering your fitness progress. Withholding Health Information Are you on any medications? Did your recent bone scan reveal thinning bones? Did you injure your knee or have back surgery five years ago? Even if your health care provider has cleared you to exercise, your trainer needs to know these important health facts to keep you safe. Medications can affect your heart rate; doing certain moves when you have osteoporosis can make your condition worse; and prior injuries or surgeries can also affect your workout prescription. Even if your trainer hasn't asked, it's up to you to fess up and tell-all when it comes to your health. Don't worry: Like health care providers, trainers must abide by codes of conduct and keep your health status confidential. Complaining No one likes a complainer and, if you're a personal trainer, you really dislike complainers. You see, to a personal trainer, complaining doesn't make sense. If you're paying someone to work you out and push you, then you have to expect to be worked out pretty hard. And why would you want to complain and impede your progress? In fact, complaining takes up precious time that a trainer can use for explaining proper form for an exercise or for general dietary advice. You wouldn't want to miss that important information, would you? Making Excuses Many people are busy and have trouble fitting in exercise. But once you commit to working out with a trainer, refrain from making excuses for missing a workout or overeating. Be honest as to why you missed a workout or what drove you to overeat. If a trainer doesn't know the full scope of your situation, then how can he or she help you? And, for most of us, let's be honest—excuses are what has kept us from reaching our full potential. It's really in your best interest to fess up as to why you did or didn't do something. It's all part of the learning process. Lying This point is closely related to "making excuses" except instead of saying that your dog ate your workout plan, you fib that you skipped a third glass of wine after dinner or you really did squeeze in that circuit workout—when you didn't. Personal trainers get it. No one wants to look bad or let down their trainer, but it's essential to tell the truth. A good trainer is constantly modifying your workout plan to fit you. And if you're not telling the truth about your workout or eating plan, then a trainer isn't going to be able to adapt your fitness plan accordingly. And at the end of the day, you're paying a trainer to help you reach your goals, so by lying, you're the one you have to face at the end of the day. Talking Too Much (Or Not Enough) A trainer can only design your workout based on the information you give them. If you're as closed as a clam in chilly waters, then it's darn near impossible for a trainer to help you set goals that really matter to you. On the flip side, if you're a total chatty Cathy or gossipy Glen, then you really need to make sure that your conversations with your personal trainer stay on track and are about fitness, your goals and your health. A session with a personal trainer doesn't come cheap, and you need to make sure your time is being spent discussing your weight loss—not the neighbors down the street. And, for the record, trainers can get frustrated when they have to keep redirecting you to the task at hand (read: working out). Not Following Your Plan Personal trainers create a workout plan for you for a reason. It may seem random, but they have a method to their cardio and strength routines. Trainers are not expecting you to do more than your plan calls for—or less. If you work out more than called for or eat less, it can really mess with your results. And, if you do too little, then you can't expect full results. Simply put, if you believed in a trainer enough to purchase their services, then believe in them enough to follow their advice! Wearing Overly Baggy Clothes This may seem like an odd point to make, but it's an important one. To properly correct form when lifting weights, a personal trainer must see the angles of your body. In a lunge, they need to make sure that your knee isn't going over your toes, and, if you're doing a triceps extension, they need to know that your chin is level. However, if you have on big, baggy sweatpants or a hooded sweatshirt, then they won't be able to tell if your form is as it should be. I know that you want to be comfortable at the gym, but for your safety, a personal trainer really appreciates when you have clothes that show your full form. Spandex isn't necessary, but a big oversize T-shirt isn't helping you—or your trainer! To get the most out of your personal training sessions, fix these faux pas and you will be on the right path to reaching your goals—and get on your trainer's good side in the process! |
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Fitness Articles › Pitfalls and Plateaus6 Things Your Personal Trainer Wishes You Didn't DoWhat Your Personal Trainer Really Wants to Tell You-- By Jennipher Walters, Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness InstructorSparkPeople advertisers help keep the site free! Learn more
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About The Author
Jennipher Walters
Jennipher is a certified personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She blogs regularly about her own fitness adventures at www.fitbottomedgirls.com. See all of Jenn's articles. |
SparkPeople member AQUAGIRL08 struggled with chronic pain unitl she decided to take control of her health through diet and exercise. She offers her best advice anyone dealing with pain.
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Member Comments
ase don't listen to this mumbo jumbo. There are quality trainers. - 1/4/2013 9:41:37 PM
Honestly, soooo much of what this "trainer" wishes you wouldn't do are the EXACT reasons why you need a trainer....so that you can learn to like exercise, so that you don't "cheat" and then lie about it. ugh.
Too many trainers expect their clients to come to them already "trained". The VAST majority of people who hire a trainer are doing so because they need the "push". They come to you as a complainer, excuse maker, and nutrition plan faller off of er.
They know this about themselves. THIS is why they hired you....to help them NOT do that anymore. What this trainer seems to be saying is she just wants you to come to her already doing all the things you hired her to help you do. Kinda silly, no?
I've had more than a few chatty clients. You find ways to deal with it...like work them so hard they would rather not talk! ;)
Complainers? If they aren't complaining, I'm not doing my job!
The diet cheaters. Well uhm, yeah, it happens. I don't expect perfection. Perfection is NOT healthy. Just don't lie about it! People lie if they think there will be negative consequences, or when they feel shame, or fear they will be made to feel shame, or maybe the feel like they've let the trainer down. There is no shame in being an imperfect human being...unless you lie about it! ;)
The over achievers who do more than they should or eat less than they should - well, for the over exercisers, I adjust their calories, for the under eaters? Work them less. You have to look at the reasons WHY people aren't following the plan and them help them find ways to follow it...or change it up so that they WILL follow it.
Baggy clothes - I have the same "issue" with it...however, I have a bigger issue with people feeling uncomfortable during workouts. Most women want to hide their extra weight. Having been there, I understand this. If I can't get a good sense of how the body is moving...I change the exercise. Simple.
Not withholding heal... - 12/7/2012 7:46:26 PM
We are with a trainer to optimize our time and efforts to get the best results as quickly as possible. This article is presented as a help for us to do just that. And let us all remember, the trainers are people too, they have feelings as well. If you don't have a good fit with your trainer, I did see another article on how to break up with your trainer.
There might simply have personality differences that are hindering you both. Hope this helps, I know how hard it is to be frustrated with something so important.
- 6/16/2012 12:46:27 PM
d by my doctor. There is no doubt in my mind that if I continued with her I would have sustained an injury. Furthermore, at no point did she ever think to discuss the importance of diet and nutrition. I am not sure how she came about her credentials, but people (myself included) stopped training with her and she eventually left the gym. - 2/20/2012 12:59:05 PM
feedback that the trainer needs to help one achieve their goals. They don't need someone who whines about every little thing. It's a common sense thing.... - 9/19/2011 5:53:37 PM
silly article, I thought. but then again I tend to talk to much, or not enough :o) - 9/19/2011 12:21:02 AM