Yeah, I went through TAFE to get my Fitness qualifications with two of the teachers who wrote the Cert 3, Cert 4 and Diploma of Fitness curriculums. It got me into the industry. And then I started reading more and more and realised that what they taught me was enough to be a relatively safe trainer that was unlikely to kill someone (that should be on my resumé right!?)...that was about it. There was a lot of stuff in that course I soon learnt was pretty out of date or ineffective.
Basically, Personal Trainer 101 started looking about as effective as another one of my favourite books from childhood when it came to my work.
So what are you trying to say Mitch?
For all the trainers/coaches out there, do not make the mistake of being rigid in your teaching or your learning. You will have teaching cues that work every time and then out of nowhere you will try the same cue with a new client and they will look at you like you are speaking a foreign language. It's up to you to adjust and find the right words to get through to them. If you learn from a wide range of quality sources you'll teach accordingly.
Your clients are a bit like Lemmings. They each have individual skills and individual weakness. It's up to you to click the right buttons for them all to make it safely through the cave. Sure, some will get incinerated, that's the nature of the industry. But, if you help more than you brutally kill your job satisfaction and career longevity are going to be pretty solid.
For those of you who are in the gym or out on the pavement doing it yourself, don't expect anything of yourself based on what those around you can do. You will progress at your own rate and you may well need to do things differently to achieve your goals. You will have your own techniques, strengths and weaknesses that you will learn and work through at your own pace...and if you need help hire a personal trainer, I recommend me. Just saying.
Alright Mitch, we get your point. Now how do we address it?
First of all, remember that we are all unique little snowflakes. We have our own set of needs and should be treated accordingly. The fact of the matter is that every person moves differently and responds to stimuli differently. In essence, this is why online "bikini body guru" (read: failed model with a large Instagram following of guys who are simply there to see tits and arse) programs fall short, both ethically and practically (But I will rant on that another time).
Secondly, when it comes to how to do something in the gym, stop dealing in absolutes. Sure, having your feet hip width apart is a solid starting point but the second that squat shows something that you want to correct or feels like it's not quite right then it is wrong and needs adjusting. Way more than half the people I see need their feet in a different position to accommodate their bodies individuality. Just because the text book says to do it one way does not mean the text book is correct...it was written for the average not the individual.
Thirdly, always chase perfection. One of the biggest things I got from the two hours I got to spend listening to Tony Gentilcore (if you don't know who Tony Gentilcore is my advice is to find out A-SAP!) speak last year was this - "If it's nearly right, it is still wrong."
Never settle for 'good enough'.
As a coach/trainer you should always be wanting your clients to improve. Skills are dynamic and they will diminish if they are under-utilised or under-developed. If you're training on your own this is equally important for you, if not more so. Here's a hot tip...video your sets. Sure, you look like a bit of a knob to the meathead who secretly (read: it's so friggin' obvious) sneaks (read: "Oi dickhead! We all know what you're going to do!") off to take photos of himself in the bathroom mirror between bicep sets. But to anyone with half a clue, you're switched on and care about your performance and success. Respect to you brother/sister.
Trainer/Coaches: You can't fit a square peg into a round hole the same we you can't make a 7 foot beast bench press the same way as a 5 foot pocket rocket. Always have your next step in mind. A variation, an adjustment, a cue. Whatever it is you need to help your client get what they want. This takes time, research and practice...Ultimately, that's how you're going to make sure that they stay your client.
Solo Legends: If you're a square peg you can't fit into that round hole. If you're a 7 foot beast you're not likely to train the same way as a 5 foot pocket rocket. Do your research or invest in some professional help. A good PT on a gym floor is always willing to give some advice (I say good because if they're not willing they're probably a jerk and not very good). That said don't expect a complete program overhaul between clients and a trip to the loo. If you want a lot of help pay for a lot of help...we're worth it!
As always please refer all complaints and hate mail to the admin of this page. If you need their home address for egg throwing purposes comment below.
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