Here are a few things that came to mind after reading this thread:
- A trainer is not "needed" by everyone... let's get that out there right away.
- Certifications mean little. I have a NASM certification and I wouldn't credit it for much outside of a resume booster. Years of training, research, and actual hands on experience working with clients is more important if you ask me. Anyone can read a book and take a test.
- What kind of shape is your "trainer" in? This to me is also important. If you're preaching then you better be practicing. You may be over 40 y/o and have the knowledge, but you better be in good shape for a 40+ year old if you really want people to listen and respect what your saying. Unless of course Michael Jordan is teaching you basketball or Jim Brown football (you get the picture).
- $$$ plays a role for everyone. Your training business can have integrity and a reputation to maintain, but if money isn't being paid then the service isn't being given. SO although every trainer may not be "all about the money," they are all "partially about the money."
- Academics are important for the average high chool - college athlete, but not for the elite's of those classes. When I was in HS, I worked hard academically until midway through my junior year. After that I basically did nothing (better put, I made sure I passed, but even that wasn't the case in some classes). I knew I had the SAT score and GPA and demand as athlete that I would go SOMEWHERE and play regardless of how I did that last year and a half of school. I'm not saying this is the right thing to do, but I have never been a fan of school and our academic system is majorly flawed. Now, for elite athletes, these things do not matter. Anyone who thinks it was wrong for Kobe Bryant or Lebron James to forego college for the NBA is simply dumb. Remember, I could bury myself in debt going through 10 years of schooling after HS to become a doctor and never touch the amount of money these guys make. (Hint: Education does not = financial success).
- If you are going to be a personal trainer, you should care about your clients. If you like what you do, work hard at it, then you will probably be good at it and make some solid money too. Being a trainer (JUST A TRAINER) (or strength coach, whatever) is a farily financially limiting job. However, if you enjoy it then this is what you should do. I stopped training people because I don't really love it. I love training as an individual, but not directing the focus at others.
Just remember to enjoy what you do and work hard at it. If you can find a way to make a living from that then even better.
I agree with this and want to point out that Coach embodies all the good parts of what you typed. Anyone who thinks he's not at the top of his game and loves what he does doesn't have a fucking clue about what they're talking about.
I was suffering from stagnation in the gym - just going in and working out, not really making gains anymore, so I PM'd Coach and asked him about a program I drew up and what he thought about it.
He took the time to tweak it, then gave me a program to follow. No charge, no obligation, just because he's a good dude and loves doing this.
In 8 weeks my 5x5 on the bench went up 45lbs, so my max would have been a lot more, but I didn't test it because my shoulder has been separated twice and was telling me to pull back. 3 rep deadlift went up around 100, box squat, the same. Supporting lifts increased too, but not to that magnitude.
Anyone who rags on him about any aspect of training is not worth responding to. If I lived on the West Coast, I'd pay to train at his gym. It would be worth it's weight in gold.
