Thoughts From a Trainer 1

Having been in the health and fitness industry for a fair amount of time, I can honestly say I love what I do. I love learning more about the functions and mysteries of the human body. I love coaching people to new limits of performance. I love instructing individuals on new trends and established scientific principles. However, there are a few challenging truths I have encountered. The main difficulty stems from the fact that the element that makes me a good trainer—namely having a heart for people—makes it hard for me to only attempt to impact those who pay for my services. Oftentimes I sit in the gym and watch ordinary people just like me come in for their daily workouts. They can be passionate, motivated, energetic, but they go nowhere. Days, months, and even years may pass with no apparent change.

Maybe it is the teacher in me, but I want to go up to these individuals and give them lectures on exercise science, anatomy and physiology, and exercise prescription—all within a 10 minute conversation. I want to give them the knowledge to take flight. However, I must hold myself back, because even with a positive motive, I can appear rude, pompous, and my interaction can actually have a counterproductive effect. I don’t mean to sound as though I am sitting upon my ivory training tower, but the truth is that everyone can benefit from proper education—whether it comes to exercise or any other pursuit worth doing. Yet, I am still searching for appropriate ways to serve the entire gym, especially those who don’t elect to pay for my training.

My second challenging observation is that, as a small businessman, I must convert my skill and passion into a commodity—a line of products with flashy names and competitive pricing. I think a lot of trainers get into their training careers thinking that they are joining the Peace Corps or a philanthropic organization—and it is to an incredible degree. But we have to eat too! And I dare say that many trainers wake up one day and realize that their idealistic motives must be pushed aside for the real, the practical, the inevitable and unavoidable salesmanship. The great trainers adapt and incorporate profitable business techniques with their unique vision. I am attempting to achieve this feat—an accomplishment that literally drowns hundreds and even thousands of aspiring trainers every year. But I must say that it is worth every ounce of the effort, and I view it as my initiation.

Either way, if there is anyone out there that wants to be my benefactor so that I can do this pro-bono, let he know Haha!

The video below is of a man that I would never have the above issue with haha… I’d be begging him for advice!