My considrations when hiring a PT

[calfzilla]

Types of people I would hire:
A male natural bodybuilder with some size and good cuts. 
A female natural who is not just hot or skinny but looks like she could compete in fitness. 
A male juicer, BUT he would have to be near pro size.  None of these juice heads that just look as good as a natural that trains hard. 
Someone who has made a great transformation thus proved they know what they are doing. 

Types I would not hire:
Someone who is fat. 
Someone who looks like he/she doesn't work out. 
A hot chick who is just hot and skinny due to genetics, and not hard work.  She doesn't look like a fitness competitior. 
A juicer who is not massive. 
A natural who works out, but is still relatively small considering how much he trains for size. 

This really annoyed me today at the gym.  I saw a PT training a client, and the PT was wearing slacks and a dress shirt!   If my PT ever showed up wearing anything other than workout gear, he/she would be fired immediately. 

[che]

Why do you need a PT?

[calfzilla]

Why do you need a PT?

I don't, I have never used one, I'm just saying these are the things I would consider if I were to hire one. 

[Alexander D]

I'm with ya calf... at my gym here in Dallas (Lifetime Fitness- its open 24 hours and i get a cheap rate...) many of the trainers are skinny guys who dont lift weights, women who are CLEARLY out of shape etc etc. I do not think i could ever pay someone money to train me, who cannot themselves get into amazing shape.

Sure one can be book smart, but not practice what they preach, but i wouldn't give them a dime...

-A DUB

[CARTEL]

Some people are just looking for a friend to chat with while at the gym, me thinks.

[Earl1972]

the average looking trainers are less intimidating, i think the clients want to be trained by somebody they can somewhat relate with, not somebody that makes them feel inferior

E

[Alexander D]

Earl, you have a point... and i think maybe for the average gym go-er who just wants to be "fit"... or for the middle aged housewife that wants to drop a few pounds- certainly seeking out a slim male trainer may be more appealing than a 240lbs juiced freak.

But for most guys who are interested in bodybuilding and want to get relatively BIG, i think seeking out someone who looks the way we want to look like, isnt uncommon.


-A Dub

[gordiano]

You should see the trainers at my gym.

At least 2 twinks.

A fat chick.

A dude who looks okay.

A dude who looks big, but he's "on". Still, not even "regional" bber size. More permabulker, I guess.

Skinny chick.

Then there are the folks who teach the "classes". All practically fat. 

[240 is Back]

The personal trainers in my gym are so funny.  Many know their shit, but there are some that just have clients doing some silly and dangerous stuff. 

[CARTEL]

The personal trainers in my gym are so funny.  Many know their shit, but there are some that just have clients doing some silly and dangerous stuff. 

Let me guess...

a lot of the stuff includes a big rubber ball?

[Steve Namat]

Types of people I would hire:
A male natural bodybuilder with some size and good cuts. 
A female natural who is not just hot or skinny but looks like she could compete in fitness. 
A male juicer, BUT he would have to be near pro size.  None of these juice heads that just look as good as a natural that trains hard. 
Someone who has made a great transformation thus proved they know what they are doing. 

Types I would not hire:
Someone who is fat. 
Someone who looks like he/she doesn't work out. 
A hot chick who is just hot and skinny due to genetics, and not hard work.  She doesn't look like a fitness competitior. 
A juicer who is not massive. 
A natural who works out, but is still relatively small considering how much he trains for size. 

This really annoyed me today at the gym.  I saw a PT training a client, and the PT was wearing slacks and a dress shirt!   If my PT ever showed up wearing anything other than workout gear, he/she would be fired immediately. 

I agree,

An still.... most of the people are trained by "trainers" who look like they just changed their employer...left McDonald's, got a certification and started to train people...

 

[240 is Back]

"a lot of the stuff includes a big rubber ball?"

Yes.  And much of it is just so imbalanced and beyond how a muscle should stretch.  When the benches are all crowded, they'll have them just pick up a 15 lb dumbbell and swing it around to 'warm up the shoulder muscles".  I'm talking fast heaving, with RC and AC joints just begging to be torn. 

And the diet talk is funny.  "I eat nothing but the supplements we sell at our front desk - it's all you need for muscles and health".  I pity the constipated, broke gullible person who falls for that.

[gordiano]

Let me guess...

a lot of the stuff includes a big rubber ball?

That's the "gimmick" at mine. Stupidest shit. This one old lady can barely walk, and this idiot has her doing stupid shit on that Bosu ball. Lady kept falling. I could see she was frustrated....I haven't seen her since.

[calfzilla]

That's the "gimmick" at mine. Stupidest shit. This one old lady can barely walk, and this idiot has her doing stupid shit on that Bosu ball. Lady kept falling. I could see she was frustrated....I haven't seen her since.

Those balls are ok for crunches, that's it. 

[Crossbow]

Types of people I would hire:
A male natural bodybuilder with some size and good cuts. 
A female natural who is not just hot or skinny but looks like she could compete in fitness. 
A male juicer, BUT he would have to be near pro size.  None of these juice heads that just look as good as a natural that trains hard. 
Someone who has made a great transformation thus proved they know what they are doing. 

Types I would not hire:
Someone who is fat. 
Someone who looks like he/she doesn't work out. 
A hot chick who is just hot and skinny due to genetics, and not hard work.  She doesn't look like a fitness competitior. 
A juicer who is not massive. 
A natural who works out, but is still relatively small considering how much he trains for size. 

This really annoyed me today at the gym.  I saw a PT training a client, and the PT was wearing slacks and a dress shirt!   If my PT ever showed up wearing anything other than workout gear, he/she would be fired immediately. 

Agree on all of the above.
A good way to pick a PT is to watch them train their clients - do they make any progress, etc.

Also found that former professional athletes (track and field, boxing, martial arts) can some times be very good trainers.

[Coach is Back!]

The best way to pick a PT is to see the results of their clients. You guys put pt's in a bad light as a blanket statement. You pick the trainer that's the most qualified to deliver the desired results you want. Also, just because they don't look the part doesn't mean they don't know their shit. The NCAA has guidelines on when an athlete can train and when they can't. There are certain times during the pre-season that have discretionary training and the the S&C coach is not allowed to help them, meaning they can train in the college facility but the coach cannot do anything in the way of program design. That being said they usually go to a qualified outside source..that would be a PERSONAL TRAINER. They are still kids and even though they are strong as hell, they don't know the first thing about program design. My guess, and I'm not trying to be insulting, is that most that criticize the pt on here don't know the first thing about designing an EFFECTIVE program. If you can, show me. Design a program for an offseason/onseason program for football. Devon97..you don't count, I already know you can, lol!

[dyslexic]

It is actually very difficult to find anyone in any industry that is extremely talented at their chosen craft... especially PT's.


Their downfalls are a plus for me. This is one time where the shit doesn't float at the top.