Have you ever seen a trainer that you want to kick in the face for being an idiot?

I see it far to often…

The # 1 reason is because they are lazy!

My wife recently started seeing some clients at a personal training studio and every time she comes back she has a story of this trainer we’ll call “Rick” (Yes that is his real name, ha).

She describes him as looking like an old school PE coach. Belly, out of shape, and stuck in his ways. Even worse during each session with his client he is either texting or watching TV.

This drives me crazy because idiots like this give personal trainers a bad name, on the flip side it definitely helps to set your service apart. I don’t know what he charges but with service like that he shouldn’t even get minimum wage.

I am about to get on my soapbox so watch out. [By the way do you know the origins of that saying goes back to the 1800’s when soap sales men would pile their boxes up in the middle of the town square to gather and pitch to the towns people. Hence getting on your soapbox… Not really I just made that up but it sounds plausible.]

Anyway, here is why I think “Rick” should get a drop kick to the face (*NOTICE: If you are doing any of the following listed, You have been warned, you could be next!)

1. Practice what you preach. You don’t have to be Mr. Olympia but if your belly is hanging over your waist and you get out of breath from sitting to standing then there is a problem. I have no problem with someone deciding to make a lifestyle/career change and they don’t look the part. But at least make the effort, create the habits. But this is not the case here. (Drop kick to the face #1)

2. Pay attention! Nothing gets my blood boiling more than a trainer who doesn’t pay attention to his client. Whether on the phone, watching TV you have a responsibility to serve the best you can. As a trainer your focus is create a program to fit your clients goals, help them execute it safely and progressively. A big part of that is paying attention and listening to them. If you are not it is rude, you are not doing your job, and you should be drop kicked in the face! (#2)

3. Your clients will become you. If you set a bad example with your lifestyle, your habits and worse off your attitude your clients will start adopting those same habits, lifestyles, and attitudes. Instead of being a crusader for health, instead of creating value “Rick” is doing something far more malicious. He is wasting their time and making them worse. Time is something you will never get back and bad habits are hard to break. (Drop kick to the face #3)

I know this is not my usual topic but it had to be said because I am not going to dropkick him in the face because it is not my style. Consider this a verbal dropkick.

The truth is I don’t know everything that is going on in “Rick’s” life, I don’t know if there is a method to his madness. At this point in my life I don’t care. I do know that you don’t have to be a genius when it comes to being a sincere human being that actually cares about their clients well being.

The more of these incompetent trainers there are the more work we have to do to erase these stereotypical perceptions. The more of these lazy trainers the greater chance people will be injured, get poor results, and be scammed out of their hard earned money.

Cheers,

Armando Cruz MSPT, CSCS, ATC

www.ArmandoCruz.com