WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU HIRED THE WRONG PERSONAL TRAINER

If you do your homework (see previous post) you will not have the problems noted below:

WARNING SIGNS

• Your trainer is often late or a no show and has various excuses.
• The trainer spends time visiting with other clients and socializes at the gym during your session.
• The trainer looks bored and unenthusiastic during your sessions.
• The trainer does not respond to communication such as phone calls or emails on a timely basis.
• The trainer does poor follow up and shows little interest in monitoring your progress.
• The trainer pushes supplements, herbs or fitness items for which (s)he receives a commission.
• The trainer fails to adequately answer fitness and training questions.
• The trainer fails to acknowledge complaints about pain or injury.
• The trainer frequently takes phone calls or text messages during your session. The trainer should turn off the cell or blackberry or ask your permission to take an important call during a session. You are paying for the time.
• There are unexpected additional add on costs that were not listed in the quote (unless you have requested changes).
• The trainer fails to deliver the program promised.
• Your personal trainer makes you feel incompetent, inadequate or stupid.
• Your personal trainer promotes a fad fitness scheme.
• Your personal trainer has all the clients on the same program.
• Your personal trainer wears large baggy clothes and you have no idea if (s)he is fit or hiding an obesity secret - really though - your trainer should be the epitomy of fitness. Unless (s)he has a very ugly tatoo, you may wonder why you can't tell if the person is fit or not. It is quite possible they are not.
• The trainer is unreliable.
• The trainer has unethical business practices.
• The trainer is unable to validate testimonials or references. There should be at least a few clients who invite contact to confirm their support for the experience if the trainer is any good.
• Your trainer does not ask for feedback about what (s) he can do to improve service. No matter how excellent the service there is always something the trainer can improve to help clients. Requesting honest feedback about your experience, both positive and negative demonstrates interest in you and shows the trainer is interested in continuous improvement of the service.
• Your trainer constantly criticizes other trainers. Unprofessional.
• Your trainer picks and chooses anecdotal studies to support his/her fitness theories. An ethical and professional trainer will review studies from more than one source or perspective before reaching a conclusion and only use studies which have been validated.
• If the opposite sex (s)he is starting to look less cute (just kidding).

A word about arrogance. I find body building trainers in particular extremely arrogant and conceited. Perhaps because they have achieved such outstanding muscle development, a beautiful physique and have won competitions or they have worked hard to achieve their bodies and their knowledge. It reminds me of Ali Ali many years ago. I am from a generation where being modest is generally a positive attribute. To get the best, I have had to ignore this type of behaviour. I guess if you think you are beautiful these days it is fine to say so....just isn't how I was brought up.

• Coming soon. A word about testimonials - warnings.