My consultation with the personal trainer was useless

wendybdh

wendybdh

Cathlete
Some of my coworkers and I signed up for a wellness program. You could pick either weight loss, healthy lifestyle or advanced fitness as your goal for the 10 weeks. I picked advanced fitness because I want to be pushed to my limit.

We each met with a personal trainer to go over our goals, etc. I also told her that my goal is to lose 4-5 pounds, and be able to do 60 straight leg pushups nonstop and hopefully develop that nice line between my chest muscles. I told her what my diet was like and my workout routines. She then told me "if I were you I really wouldn't do anything different." That really doesn't help me outx( . She then suggested that I should add 1 more fruit to my diet per day and maybe some nuts and milk. That's it!!!!

I know she's only been a trainer for the past 3 months but I really want someone to kick my butt. I don't think she was prepared for someone who works out with Cathe and eats healthy. I think she was hoping she could tell me to walk for 30 minutes a day and stop eating fast food. I was really looking forward to this and now I'm just bummed.

I don't want to ask for someone else since she is nice and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I'm just frustrated.
 
Ditto, request someone new!

Personally, I have tried a few trainers and have not been that impressed. There is a woman in my area though that trains who has been on the cover of Oxygen magazine and who competes in fitness and figure competitions. After I graduate (nursing school in May) I'm going to look her up. I think that 8 weeks with her will change my body totally. It even says on her website she only trains "serious clients". That's me!

The right trainer will know to shock your body and take you to the next step. Don't waste your time with this one; you might even have more experience than her. No hard feelings, but you need someone else! JMO :)
 
Have you asked her how you are supposed to be changing your body if you do nothing different other than add an additional fruit? What exactly would that accomplish for you?

I agree that it sounds like you have more knowledge than she does. Perhaps her training materials may have some ideas?

If you decide to stick with her, maybe come up with some direct questions and see if she can get advice from whoever trained her?

Just some ideas since it would be a complete bummer to not be able to accomplish any of your goals during this time.
 
To become a personal trainer is fairly easy. There is a lot of studying done, but I've spoken to people who have passed the test, and there is no more knowledge needed that what a lot of us on these boards have. If she's been doing this 3 months, I'll bet she really does not know how to handle you. Instead of requesting someone new, maybe you can suggest she work with a more experienced Personal Trainer so that she can learn as well as you. It may help her in the long run and perhaps gain her a mentor. You said you liked her. And it could only benefit you.
 
It's true that it's fairly easy to become a personal trainer. There's actually a research study that compared test scores of trainers with different certifications. It concluded that those with ACSM and/or NSCA are most knowledgeable in terms of exercise science and program design. That's not to say that other certifications aren't good (ACE and NASM to name a few) - but you may want to check who this trainer is certified with. You have to be careful when choosing a trainer - some aren't even certified at all. Check their credentials and if you still don't click with them for whatever reason, find someone else.

Carolyn :)
 
That's just it, I don't want to waste this opportunity and not accomplish any of my goals.
I'm meeting with the head of the personal training department and he's going to help me develop a gym weight routine tomorrow. I think I may mention to him that I'm nervous about the new trainer's inexperience and see what he has to say. I know him anyway but unfortunately he's not who I got paired up with:(
 
Wendy,
You should also see if you can get someone who is not only certified, but university educated in a fitness-related field. Someone with a degree will be able to help you much better than someone without.
 
Yes, you have received some good advice here. Not all trainers are bad. See if you can find one with multiple certifications perhaps. Find one whose background is similar to yours. For instance, I have the ability to relate to my clients since I was once in their shoes, if applicable of course. I never worked out a day in my life until I was 20 - 8 years ago. I hated sports and the only exercise I got was making balogna sandwiches and pouring whole milk to stir with my chocolate syrup. Well, it is true so laugh it up people!! Haha!

Now I am a fitness fanatic after putting up with "verbal abuse" from others for several teenage years...

Try to find someone to whom you can relate. That is my advice!

Clarissa :)
 
Hi, Wendy! Here's a suggestion:

Why don't you post your current workout program in its entirety here (including what your current weightloads are, what your current weightlifting routines are, what your current cardio routines are, and what your current push-up performance is), and I'll bet you get a ton of very valuable advice on how to meet your goals. I'm not sure I myself will have much of value to contribue to the poundage-loss goal since I don't really believe in paying attention to scale weight, but I believe I and others could help you out much more than anyone in your wellness program can.

A-Jock
 
Hello,

Good for you for taking steps to improve your health and well being and to challenge yourself.

I am sorry that you had a bad experience with the trainer. From your post, it sounds like she was not interested in helping at all. She needs to listen to you. Plus, not all trainers have the qualifications to offer nutritional advice. Perhaps a registered dietician can help with that if improved nutrition is part of your goal.

I don't think all trainers are bad. I think some are better than other though. Don't let one bad experience dampen your experience though. I know you don't want to hurt her feelings, but you should not let that affect your goals. She is not doing her job and it needs to be addressed. Your workouts should not suffer because of her lack of experience.

IMHO, I think a good boxing coach could really work you out. The calisthenics (sp?) in that training routine are very challenging. Perhaps there is a gym nearby or perhaps someone could refer you to a good boxing class. Just a thought :)

Just in my personal experience:

I have worked out with 3 different trainers myself over the past few years. I was not happy with any of them. All three were unorganized and had no tailored plan to help me achieve my goals. There was no direction and very little communication. I would show up and they would just run me through the mill so to speak. I did not see any improvements.

I also had a serious injury a few years ago, but they seemed to gloss over that. My neurosurgeon and physical therapist advised me to limit the weight (if not avoid altogether) on overhead exercises (lat pull downs, shoulder press, overhead tricep extensions). I was told to use pain as my guide. I explained this to each of the trainers I worked with and each one thought I could push harder. I flat out refused at one point with the third trainer and got a doctor's note to get out the contract I signed with him (phew). I went back to my Cathe workouts and have been happy ever since.
 
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