Finding your perfect match: 3 key questions to ask your Personal Trainer.
Ever heard about the saying “the oldest profession”? History confirms that in Pompei- archaeological site in the South of Italy- you can still witness the first sex worker advertisements on the walls of the ruins. Mind blowing, isn’t it?
It’s obviously impossible tracking and clarify which is the oldest profession in history, because yes, mankind always had sex, but it’s unclear when the prostitution phenomenon started at first. For instance, archaeological evidence suggests other professions like toolmaker or hunter-gatherer might be even older.
Think about Personal Trainers, for example. I’ve would’ve thought that the concept of paying someone that’s more experienced than you to improve your performance and physique would be a relatively new concept, started maybe with the rise of gyms in the XX century. Truth is that I would be wrong.
Personal training can be traced back to ancient Greece, where athletes trained with their coaches (called gymnastai) to improve their physical fitness and performance. These coaches would develop personalized training programs based on each athlete's strengths and weaknesses and would also provide nutrition advice. I wonder how they tracked calories back then.
Fast forward a couple of millennials, the juice is still the same, your personal trainer should guide you towards your fitness goals, whatever this would be.
I work in this industry, so I might be biased, but I honestly couldn’t think about a more multifaceted job. You’re a coach, a physio, a dietitian, a therapist, you must take care of your taxes, you’re a content creator, and on top of that, to practice what you preach, you must train and eat well. If that’s not enough, if you work in a commercial facility, chances are that you have to pay a lot of money in rent every month in order to use the space.
I love my job! There’s nothing more powerful than someone coming to you, saying that you changed their life, that you gave him/ or her the tools to finally get back into fitness, after years and years of resolutions that never happened to be reality.
I don’t think it’s a job that anyone can do, you have to have some degree of empathy, and you must care of your clients. It comes without saying, this is so much easier when you find yourself coaching people that you enjoy spending time with. I personally have my golden rule, if after our first chat, I’m not willing to go for a pint with you, we’re probably not a good fit. I’m more than happy to direct you to someone else, but I just think that my service would suffer from that decision, and I can’t afford to do that.
Let’s get to the important stuff. So, you finally made it to the gym, you’re walking on the treadmill, looking around, and it feels like everyone on the gym floor knows exactly what you’re doing. Everybody except you. You put your pride aside, and with extreme humility, you realise that maybe you need some expert advice to get something out of this. You stare at the wall, and just like a kid in a candy shop, you just can’t think of who’s the best option for you. Everyone has different areas of expertise. I want to make your life simple, giving you a couple of tips that hopefully can help you make the right decision. Here are three key questions you should ask any potential personal trainer:
Client Retention Rate.
Red Flags to Watch Out For: Look for signs of high turnover among a trainer's clients. If many clients stop working with the trainer after just a few months, it could indicate dissatisfaction with the trainer's approach or lack of results.
What to Look For: Seek out trainers with a track record of retaining clients over the long term. A high retention rate suggests that the trainer is effective at keeping clients engaged, motivated, and satisfied with their progress.
Question to Ask: "What percentage of your clients continue working with you for six months or more? How do you maintain client engagement and motivation over time?"
Continual Education.
Importance of Ongoing Learning: Emphasize the significance of trainers staying updated on the latest research, techniques, and trends in fitness and nutrition. Continuous education ensures that trainers can adapt their methods to suit each client's individual needs and goals.
What to Look For: Seek trainers who demonstrate a commitment to professional development and lifelong learning. This could involve attending workshops, obtaining advanced certifications, or pursuing higher education in relevant fields.
Question to Ask: "What was the last fitness-related workshop or course you attended? How do you stay informed about new developments in the industry?"
Caring for Clients.
Empathy and Compassion: Highlight the importance of finding a trainer who genuinely cares about their clients' well-being and success. A trainer who is passionate about helping people is more likely to provide personalized support and encouragement.
What to Look For: Focus on how the trainer interacts with you during the initial consultation. Look for signs of empathy, active listening, and genuine interest in your goals and concerns. If you’re still not sure, pay attention to one of his sessions when you happen to be at the gym.
Example Question: "How do you approach building rapport and establishing trust with your clients? Can you share a specific example of how you've supported a client through their fitness journey?"
If the session that you’re paying for is going to last an hour, you’re effectively moving for 10 to 15 minutes, the rest is all chat, so make sure that you enjoy it!"
