Pick your personal trainer wisely. Welcome to a small rant post with a slither of advice for you. So… let’s explore the question, “Are Most Personal Trainers A Waste Of Money?”. Spoiler…. not always.
Are Personal Trainers A waste Of Money?
I’ve seen some excellent personal trainers and gym instructors/owners in my many years of being a gym rat. But I’m afraid to admit the vast majority I encounter seem disinterested in their clients, are more of a hindrance than a help and this genuinely pains me.
Do you have bad personal trainer experience or story to tell? Have you witnessed a personal trainer giving incorrect advice or failing their client in any capacity? Am I being too harsh with my view point?
Contrary to my usual format of throughly listing contents, I’m deviating from normality and shall be taken wherever my fingers type.
Bad Personal Trainer Behaviour
In answering are personal trainers a waste of money, you simply have to look at whether you’re getting value for your money.
Over the last couple of years I’ve seen very bad personal trainer behaviour and client’s seemingly putting up with it. I’ve witnessed the following:
Poor program Design
Giving their client totally bad personal training programs which can cause muscle imbalances or injury.
One program I observed contained one pull-down exercise for back and 3 chest exercises. This is a recipe for future postural issues or injury.
Another example is many quad dominant exercises and a complete lack of hamstring balancing exercises. Another recipe for disaster.
“Muscle imbalances caused by improper training can lead to altered biomechanics, increasing the risk of injury. Studies have shown that balanced muscle training is essential to prevent chronic injuries and ensure long-term joint health.”
— American College of Sports Medicine
Misaligned With Client Goals
Depending on age, experience and the client’s current starting condition, I’m all for personal trainers advising, tweaking and working with the client to achieve not only aesthetic goals, but health appropriate goals (e.g working on flexibility and mobility with an elderly client).
But I see all too often, young/middle aged people, whose primary goal is to lose fat, gain muscle and eventually get a ‘sculpted physique‘ get furnished with a ridiculous program. Instead of strengthening the whole body with a handful of appropriate exercises and getting the best bang for their buck, the personal trainer will have them doing some kind of ridiculous circuit concoction of useless exercises. The end result is the client being overworked with inappropriate exercises or underworked with inappropriate exercises. Either way, the client’s not benefiting.
In this instance, are personal trainers a waste of money? A resounding yes.
“Tailoring exercise programs to the individual is critical. Research shows that personalised, goal-specific training can significantly improve adherence, motivation, and overall success in achieving fitness goals.”
— Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
General Personal Trainer Disinterest
Whether it’s looking as interested in the client as watching paint try, lacking any motivation to spur the client on, or being too busy on Facebook, TikTok or instagram – I seem lack of engagement all too often.
Lack of Exercise Form management
In addition to exercise form correction we can include the following:
- Rep speed monitoring
- Rest between sets awareness
I’ve seen their client’s not adhering to proper form and rep speed. At the very least progress will be hindered and worse case it’s an injury waiting to happen.
Exercise form and tempo are key components in maximising muscle activation and preventing injury. Evidence supports that lifting with controlled speed not only improves muscle strength but also reduces the risk of injury.”
— National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Lack of Lifestyle Advice
No discussions about diet, accountability, healthy tips etc. Anything outside of the personal trainers hour with the client ‘isn’t the personal trainers problem’.
Are personal trainers a waste of money? All things seem to be pointing towards yes. Do bear with the article…. good news is coming.
Nutrition plays a critical role in achieving fitness goals. According to research, combining exercise with appropriate nutritional strategies can enhance performance, recovery, and body composition.”
— Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Personal Training Customer Service
At an ancient 42, my training experience is considerable… put it this way, I started weight training 8 Prime Ministers ago. For my American audience from across the pond, it’s a more modest 5 presidents.
Although health and fitness has always been a burning passion of mine, it’s never been my profession. This blog is but a side hobby along side my rather busy role as head of Department for a large and successful financial organisation.
With utmost sincerity, I can confess to loving my job, colleagues and our customers. Parallel to the day job, I’m now a qualified gym instructor and am studying for my personal training qualification (call it a wanted to achieve before I’m ancient ambition). It’s running this website, my current day job and my fitness studies which is causing my exacerbated preoccupation.
The Customer Pays the Wages
Bear with me, I will be going somewhere with this.
I commenced my career in 2001. and started as one usually does, at the bottom of the ladder and answering phones. I slowly worked my way up to the dizzy heights of team leader in 2009 and proudly managed 10 people. The business was big on development from within, its culture, colleagues and the customer (thankfully my current firm is identical).
My CEO of this FTSE 100 firm was more than delighted to accommodate (when suitable) any leader requests to spend an hour with him. Being young and ambitious, I reached out. After all, how could the man who dished the sweets out to colleagues every Christmas be intimidating…. I should have known better.
I remember his leading question as vividly as if it were yesterday. “Matt, who pays your wages?” “Erm you do” was my rather sheepish reply. “Try again Matt”. “Erm… the business?” “Go and grab a coffee, have a think and come back to me with the right answer Matt” was my reply.
Following spending 10 of the 15 minutes calculating the local Job Centre’s distance, after my career wrecking opening answer, the answer came to me….
I marched back in and proudly announced, “THE CUSTOMER PAYS MY WAGES”. Thankfully my answer was met with a smile. The remainder of my time with him left a lasting impression and lessons to learn, but I risk digressing too far.
The customer pays the wages. Many years and promotions later, this core unbreakable fact holds true.
Are Personal Trainers A Waste Of Money? Those Who Don’t Treat The Client As Special Are
Regardless of whatever job you perform or what sector you’re in, a customer will be paying your wages and the quality of work maters. Without a happy customer, a business ceases to exist. It’s that simple
Arguably there isn’t a more prudent example of the above than a personal trainer to client relationship. Client responsibility and customer service is everything!
Modern Day Gym Culture
During my early gym years, my friend Damien and me were lucky enough to find a traditional iron pounding gym. There was no air conditioning within this gym, the music was pure trance classics (well… modern at the time), the emerging culture of mobile phones were banned and visitors learned to train hard the correct way.
The gym was owned and primarily operated by one man. This gent got more people into shape than anyone I’ve personally met. He:
- Taught us what to eat
- Designed training programs for us suitable to goals
- Taught correct exercise form
- Checked in on our lift progression
most of all….
He cared about our progress.
He didn’t have one personal trainer qualification to his name (not that I’m belittling qualifications, my point is that no amount of qualifications makes up for a bad attitude – you need both).
This modern day gym culture affliction isn’t only limited to personal trainers. I constantly witness gym instructors more interested in watching the gym television than walking around helping people, and it’s sad.
A personal Trainers responsibility
A personal trainer is entrusted with someone’s body. Is there a more important case? It’s everything! A personal trainer can be responsible for a number of pivotal responsibilities within someone’s life?
- An obese person looking to lose fat and extend their life for the sake of themselves, family and friends
- Accountability for a life goal such as running a marathon, getting in incredible shape or entering a fitness competition
- Losing fat in order to manage a health condition and increase someones quality of life
- Teaching life long lifestyle and healthy habits
I sincerely believe a personal training role is a calling!
Find someone that cares about your body as much as you do! Are Personal Trainers a waste of money? Not one who cares about you and has the experience/qualifications to back it up
“Studies confirm that for individuals with obesity, structured exercise combined with lifestyle changes significantly improves metabolic health, reduces fat mass, and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
— The Lancet
A Great Personal Trainer
Your expectations should be sky high when it comes to finding a great personal trainer. You’re entrusting someone with your greatest asset – your body.
You’re a customer in the truest sense of the word and the service needs to be impeccable.
When looking for a great personal trainer, consider these eight points:
1. Qualifications and Certifications : Ensure they have relevant certifications from recognised organisations
2. Experience and Specialisation: Look for trainers with experience relevant to your specific goals, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, rehabilitation, or sports performance.
3. Personalised Programs: A great personal trainer should design a personalised training program based on your individual goals, fitness level, and medical history.
4. Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial. They should be able to clearly explain exercises and provide constructive feedback.
5. Motivational Skills: A good trainer should inspire and motivate you to push through challenges and stay committed to your fitness journey.
6. Professionalism : Punctuality, preparedness, and a positive attitude are essential traits. They should maintain a professional demeanour at all times.
7. Attention to Form and Safety: They should prioritise correct form and technique to prevent injuries and ensure you are performing exercises safely and effectively.
“Proper exercise technique and form are crucial for long-term musculoskeletal health. Research demonstrates that improper form during weightlifting can increase the likelihood of acute injuries and overuse conditions.”
— British Journal of Sports Medicine
8. Nutrition and Lifestyle Advice : A knowledgeable trainer should provide basic guidance on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits to support your overall fitness goals.
9. Treats you as the valued customer: You are and they’re on this journey with you. They’re more passionate about your goals than you!
Whoever you decide to follow online or in person, ensure you’re at the heart of everything they do.
Chat soon,
Matt