Be Careful When Choosing a Personal Trainer - True Story...
After getting home from the health club tonight I felt compelled to write
this article on the potential dangers of just hiring a trainer without finding
out what their credentials are…
While I was working out tonight a guy I know from the gym who is in
excellent shape, came over to me and informed that he had just “picked
up his first training client.” I immediately found this strange since he
works as a real estate agent. Anyway, he went on to tell me that his
neighbor asked if he could train her son to improve his football skills, and
since this guy had played division I football she thought it would be a
great match. After she offered to pay him $100/hr he gladly accepted.
The next thing you know this ex-football athlete was telling me how he
had his neighbor’s son running 3 miles as a warm-up and then doing
some heavy lifting drills for his legs. Any decent strength & conditioning
coach will tell you that not only is that workout completely backwards from
a sports periodization model, but it is practically useless in terms of
functional and applicable skills to football. I felt compelled at this point to
try and shed a little light on the fact that a more appropriate program
would be built upon shorter sprints, since most plays account for less
than 40 yards in length. He told me that “this kid isn’t ready for that yet.” I
couldn’t believe it! He’s not ready to run a 20 to 40 yard sprint, but he is
ready to run 3 miles and then train maximally with his legs afterwards
when his strength has been pretty much depleted???
At that point I just let him finish, and this is where it gets really good. The
ex-athlete turned “personal trainer” casually mentioned that his client is
only 12 years old! But wait there’s even more – The “trainer” proudly
stated that his 12 year old client had “a cast on his wrist," and when he
gets it off they are going to start some plyometric work!!! If you are not
familiar with plyometrics, these exercises are extremely effective in
“sports specific” type training, but are also some the highest impact
movements on the joints due to ground impact forces. Thus, as a pre-
requisite there are a series of assessments that must be completed when
training an athlete to qualify that athlete to participate in those types of
drills. I can assure you, if you ask a 12 year old boy who is probably
going through a growth phase and just got a cast of his wrist to perform
upper body plyometric work, he will surely re-injure either his wrist or
another compensating muscle or joint.
In closing, please research your or your family’s trainer. Just don’t pick
the ex-athlete because they are in good shape or know the game… Even
a good sports coach will tell you his expertise ends with instructing
players on the game and he lets his strength & conditioning coaches
design programs to enhance his player’s power, speed, agility, etc.
When in doubt look to see if your trainer is certified through either NSCA,
NASM, ACSM, or has a degree in an exercise science related field. If you
are looking for athletic performance, your best bet is to make sure your
trainer has the CSCS certification…
Good luck and never be afraid to ask your potential trainer lots of
questions and if you have any doubts keep looking!
After getting home from the health club tonight I felt compelled to write
this article on the potential dangers of just hiring a trainer without finding
out what their credentials are…
While I was working out tonight a guy I know from the gym who is in
excellent shape, came over to me and informed that he had just “picked
up his first training client.” I immediately found this strange since he
works as a real estate agent. Anyway, he went on to tell me that his
neighbor asked if he could train her son to improve his football skills, and
since this guy had played division I football she thought it would be a
great match. After she offered to pay him $100/hr he gladly accepted.
The next thing you know this ex-football athlete was telling me how he
had his neighbor’s son running 3 miles as a warm-up and then doing
some heavy lifting drills for his legs. Any decent strength & conditioning
coach will tell you that not only is that workout completely backwards from
a sports periodization model, but it is practically useless in terms of
functional and applicable skills to football. I felt compelled at this point to
try and shed a little light on the fact that a more appropriate program
would be built upon shorter sprints, since most plays account for less
than 40 yards in length. He told me that “this kid isn’t ready for that yet.” I
couldn’t believe it! He’s not ready to run a 20 to 40 yard sprint, but he is
ready to run 3 miles and then train maximally with his legs afterwards
when his strength has been pretty much depleted???
At that point I just let him finish, and this is where it gets really good. The
ex-athlete turned “personal trainer” casually mentioned that his client is
only 12 years old! But wait there’s even more – The “trainer” proudly
stated that his 12 year old client had “a cast on his wrist," and when he
gets it off they are going to start some plyometric work!!! If you are not
familiar with plyometrics, these exercises are extremely effective in
“sports specific” type training, but are also some the highest impact
movements on the joints due to ground impact forces. Thus, as a pre-
requisite there are a series of assessments that must be completed when
training an athlete to qualify that athlete to participate in those types of
drills. I can assure you, if you ask a 12 year old boy who is probably
going through a growth phase and just got a cast of his wrist to perform
upper body plyometric work, he will surely re-injure either his wrist or
another compensating muscle or joint.
In closing, please research your or your family’s trainer. Just don’t pick
the ex-athlete because they are in good shape or know the game… Even
a good sports coach will tell you his expertise ends with instructing
players on the game and he lets his strength & conditioning coaches
design programs to enhance his player’s power, speed, agility, etc.
When in doubt look to see if your trainer is certified through either NSCA,
NASM, ACSM, or has a degree in an exercise science related field. If you
are looking for athletic performance, your best bet is to make sure your
trainer has the CSCS certification…
Good luck and never be afraid to ask your potential trainer lots of
questions and if you have any doubts keep looking!
Stephen Cabral
Online Fit Life Coaching
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and exercise program I have ever seen. I
have tried dozens of other diets with only
a little bit of success, but within just 10
days of using the Fatlossity system I had
already lost 6lbs and felt amazing. I have
currently lost 27lbs and only have a few
more to go! I will definitely keep you
updated on my progress - thanks!"
- Karen Malarsky, Boston MA
“I have made more progress with Steve than I have on my own or with other
trainers in the last 10 years. I have lost over 12 lbs, 3 inches off my waist, and
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Mark Anxil
trainers in the last 10 years. I have lost over 12 lbs, 3 inches off my waist, and
decreased my body fat. Steve is fun to work with and at the same time very
motivational.”
Mark Anxil
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