Looking for a Personal Trainer? What qualities you should look for...
- dannidobsonpt
- Jul 21, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 14, 2020
This week I have looked closely at myself. I asked these three questions:
What do my clients and potential clients want and expect from me?
Do I meet these expectations?
How can I improve?
In doing that, I came up with these FOUR must have qualities or characteristics.... let's see if you agree?
I enjoy using self examination to improve and focus on what my clients want from me. Not what I do... or think that you want.
These qualities or attributes are not in order of importance. But you decide what you believe is more important for you. I would argue that ALL FOUR need to be existing qualities? These don't just apply to Personal Trainers, think about selecting any professional? An electrician or mechanic... they need to show you these qualities also?
EMPATHY
So my self examination brought EMPATHY as my first key attribute. My trainer must be able to understand me. Put themselves in my place. She or He must be able to emotionally connect to my situation, not sympathise, NO WAY!....
You must be able to talk with me and show me that you understand how I feel. Show me you know what the effort of even talking to you took from me. I want to feel safe and reassured that we can achieve my goals working together. I want results, yes! But I want you, my trainer, to want IT for me, just as much as I do! Remind me if you have to, why we are doing this, reconnect my emotions when I am struggling.
EXPERIENCE
I would need my trainer to be able to show me they have experience. I gained a lot of weight when I was pregnant. I felt bad about myself. I needed help and support to get "in shape". The last person I would want to train me is a young, fit trainer. How would they know what I feel like? Do they have any experience of losing weight/fat or feeling like that?
I want you, my trainer to have lived. To have experienced what I am, have gone or are going through. Show me you know what to do to help me. Talk to me about similar clients. Show me proof or at least show me you understand... again that's down to having empathy!
Show me how you will use your experience. Show me what will work and what will not work for me. I do expect that you are up to date with your knowledge. You know the latest skills and exercises and the benefits or other of them. Show me that you will use your experiences to prevent me making the same mistakes you have made before.
Remember all professions that require Certification will have gone through a long process (studying, exams, demonstrations and assessments). That process gives them a license to practise. It doesn't give them experience. I know that everyone doesn't start as an expert. Just like anyone new going to the Gym for the first time. That comes with time...
But as I am paying for your time I want the best I can get.
KNOWLEDGE
A trainer must have the knowledge to help me attain my goals. You, my lovely Trainer, must know how to:
reduce fat,
change body composition,
build muscle,
Improve my cardio fitness...
Whatever I am aiming at, whatever my goal. If you don't know how, or have limited knowledge, to help me. I want you to tell me that "I am not the correct trainer for you". I expect you to say that "you need to speak with X or Y".
A Trainer referring me to someone who specialises in the area they are not as knowledgeable about or when they can no longer improve me; Is not saying that they are not a poor trainer. It IS saying that they have integrity. It is saying that they understand their strengths and weaknesses. They are showing me and others that they have put me first. That is a good trainer!
This happens in all Sports. Think of your child, a junior (pick a sport) who grows beyond the local coach. Advances to a regional level then on to County level. Maybe on to International/Professional Level.... All the time having normally better, more experienced, and more knowledgable coaches.
Not every coach climbs the career path though. There are lots of exceptional local coaches who don't want to make the sacrifices that elite level coaching requires. Perhaps they don't enjoy the politics demanded of them by moving "up the pyramid". So it is important to ask and understand their knowledge.
(INTEGRITY) WALK THE WALK
Well you have just read my comment about INTEGRITY. This means a lot to me.....my word is my bond. I will do what I say, if I can't, I will say so.
I want you my trainer, to demonstrate the three previous qualities. But I expect you to "walk the walk" and not "talk the talk". How can I take Nutritional Guidance from a Trainer who is not following their own "mantra"??
I am NOT saying that all Trainers should be an Adonis or Amazonian. I am saying that my trainer should be following their own plan. Be training to meet a goal. That goal could be just maintaining yourself as you are. But you should be exercising in the Gym, Resistance Training, Core, Running, Cardio, just like you expect me to. You should be eating very well, proper, wholesome food. Working to your own goals, just like YOU expect from me.
A Trainer I would employ must "WALK THE WALK". Otherwise they are not demonstrating Empathy, Experience or Knowledge are they? Certainly not demonstrating Integrity. I wouldn't pay my hard earned money for that... I would happily pay for all FOUR though!
Thats All For Now
This is my personal view, it may not be to everyones liking. You may disagree, on the characteristics, some may be more or less important for you? If you are considering hiring or changing a trainer. Consider what is important to you and stick with it.
Not everyone hits it off in a trainer/client relationship. Yes, It's really nice to build a friendship, but remember, a trainer is not a "rent-a-friend". They are your employee, they are there to give you the results... Don't feel tied because you have been with another trainer for a long time and feel guilt/loyalty to them. Challenge them, tell them to buck up, get results or get out...(just as long as you are following their plan that is)!
Contact me for a chat. If you want, I can show you some "before" pictures of myself when I was overweight. maybe I can discuss how I trained for a 10K race, for Cross-fit and Strong-woman competitions. Including pulling a Fire Engine...(I am hugely proud of myself for that at 4' 11" and 55Kg)... Who knows what I will do next? I do know that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE with a powerful, determined, mindset. A defined, time bound goal and a detailed plan....
What about you? What do you want to do?
As always, I want your feedback, your thoughts, do you enjoy these articles? I want to share my passion, experience and knowledge to help people (like you, lovely reader) achieve what you want to achieve..... believe me, if I can do it, so can you!
Contact me by e-mail: dannidobsonpt@outlook.com
Call/Text 07811 888394
Facebook @Dannidobsonpt
Insta and YouTube coming soon!
Danni X
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