I want to pose this question to alot of the people out there that utilize a personal trainer already, or would.
There seems to be some talk about how the marketing tactics of a trainer may actually skew the "actual real-time hands on" experience they particularly possess. For instance, I recently had to get my knee checked out by an ortho and as I "shopped" around, I came across one doctor (by referral by others) that he had performed 5000 knee athroscopies, and 1000 knee replacements since he has been in practice. NUmbers don't lie in my book--and for someone who has been in practice that long and be able to achieve such a number of procedures, must be good; or else the guy would not be in business anymore. Right?
So my question, when you are shopping for a trainer...what are your thoughts regarding a trainer who works with 5-8 clients versus a trainer who works with 30+ or has a waiting list? Who would you want to put your hard earned dollars down on...regardless if you know them?
Hmmmm... Interesting thought. I had not really thought about it like that. I personally like to see testimonials from previous clients (or results) as my first and most important criteria in selecting a trainer. The second most important criteria is attitude and education. Is the person both passionate and educated about the topic I am paying them to teach me?
The amount of clients the trainer runs through is sort of noise (like the personal fitness level of said trainer is) to me. Yes, it does play a role in whether I buy from that trainer but it is a less a consideration given other more important qualities.
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The BIGGER I get the smaller you look
For instance, I recently had to get my knee checked out by an ortho and as I "shopped" around, I came across one doctor (by referral by others) that he had performed 5000 knee athroscopies, and 1000 knee replacements since he has been in practice. NUmbers don't lie in my book--and for someone who has been in practice that long and be able to achieve such a number of procedures, must be good; or else the guy would not be in business anymore. Right?
John, I understand the sense of security we get from something as concrete as a number, but I read an article, can't remember where, about doctors being a bit quick to perform knee surgeries. And before that was the accusation that doctors are too quick to perform caesarians.
For me, a number that doesn't really lie is: I have ten fingers, two eyes, etc. These are evident by my ability to verify the truth, self evident in this case as they are a apart of me as is my thoughts. Anything else, needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Getting to your question...Am I allowed to interview the trainers? Get referrals and testimonies from past and/or present clients?
John, I understand the sense of security we get from something as concrete as a number, but I read an article, can't remember where, about doctors being a bit quick to perform knee surgeries. And before that was the accusation that doctors are too quick to perform caesarians.
For me, a number that doesn't really lie is: I have ten fingers, two eyes, etc. These are evident by my ability to verify the truth, self evident in this case as they are a apart of me as is my thoughts. Anything else, needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
Getting to your question...Am I allowed to interview the trainers? Get referrals and testimonies from past and/or present clients?
So my question, when you are shopping for a trainer...what are your thoughts regarding a trainer who works with 5-8 clients versus a trainer who works with 30+ or has a waiting list? Who would you want to put your hard earned dollars down on...regardless if you know them?
First off, at the gym I go to I wouldn't have this information unless I either asked a trainer directly or happened to ask for an appointment with a trainer and discovered they had a waiting list.
When I was choosing a trainer to do my first free orientation session I had never met any of the trainers. I went over the brief bios (education/areas of expertise/fitness philosophy) that are posted both online and at the gym. I'd also guess the photos had more of an impact than logically they should have.
Months later I decided to buy a session. (I had to choose a trainer again as my free session had not gone very well.)
This time I did sift through the bios for signs of experience, but I was looking for how long they had been a trainer (or related experience) not number of clients. I did not want to be part of somebody's first year.
Still, experience was only part of what I was looking for and at the end of the day I would definitely consider someone with less experience if they had the other qualities I was looking for.
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"Time and patience are the 2 elements that most people don't include in their plans."
-Alan Aragon
"The scale simply tells you how much the earth loves you on a particular day."
-Ogedei (Keith)
I want to pose this question to alot of the people out there that utilize a personal trainer already, or would.
There seems to be some talk about how the marketing tactics of a trainer may actually skew the "actual real-time hands on" experience they particularly possess. For instance, I recently had to get my knee checked out by an ortho and as I "shopped" around, I came across one doctor (by referral by others) that he had performed 5000 knee athroscopies, and 1000 knee replacements since he has been in practice. NUmbers don't lie in my book--and for someone who has been in practice that long and be able to achieve such a number of procedures, must be good; or else the guy would not be in business anymore. Right?
So my question, when you are shopping for a trainer...what are your thoughts regarding a trainer who works with 5-8 clients versus a trainer who works with 30+ or has a waiting list? Who would you want to put your hard earned dollars down on...regardless if you know them?
This is not regarding the trainer question, but rather the ortho comment. While a surgeon may be very good at performing the procedure due to his numbers, it can be disturbing if he's recommending surgery after a 3-5 min consult. A good surgeon will recommend surgery as a last result instead of boosting numbers.
This is not regarding the trainer question, but rather the ortho comment. While a surgeon may be very good at performing the procedure due to his numbers, it can be disturbing if he's recommending surgery after a 3-5 min consult. A good surgeon will recommend surgery as a last result instead of boosting numbers.
I disagree with your comment 100%. Just because a surgeon has performed 1000+ surgeries doesn't mean he is "quick" with the blade. It means he may be in practice for a number of years; participated in numerous studies at the university level; or he is referred by his peers to perform the surgery (although surgery is recommended by the original ortho). In today's HMO system, doctors get paid more when they do less for their patients...insurance companies don't approve payment for drastic procedures such as surgery unless steps leading up to it have been met.
I'm not saying that all surgeons are "quick" with the blade, but it is naive to think that all surgeons are working to the fullest extent to make sure that surgery is the last option. There are really good surgeons out there who try to avoid surgery, but it can be misleading to measure diagnostic skills based only on numbers of procedures done.
I'd suggest getting a trial workout or two with the trainer to see if what he/she wants you to do is compatible with your goals. I know my own trainer is part time but that doesn't really matter to me. His programs are challenging to be sure, yet do-able, and in sync with my workout philosophy (emphasis on compound movements etc.)
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Tom
No "happy hours" makes for a lot of miserable days. - Mahler
So my question, when you are shopping for a trainer...what are your thoughts regarding a trainer who works with 5-8 clients versus a trainer who works with 30+ or has a waiting list? Who would you want to put your hard earned dollars down on...regardless if you know them?
My preference would be for the 5-8 client trainer, on the assumption that his schedule would be more flexible and can accommodate mine, whereas the 30+ client trainer would be less flexible and I would be forced to fit into her schedule. Also, the 5-8 client trainer or the newer person would be more likely to have the mindset exemplified in the old Avis commercial "We're #2 - We Try Harder".
But frankly, the number of clients that a trainer already has or doesn't have is not important to me. At best, I'd ask not how many people the trainer has trained, but how many s/he's trained that are like me. I am more interested in listening skills, ability to understand my fitness needs and wants, and commitment to helping me reach my goals (not the goals the trainer thinks are best for me, but the goals I have set for myself). Honesty, punctuality, courtesy and the ability to competently demonstrate/teach the exercises are also important.
FT Trainer vs. PT Trainer
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