I'm a Personal Trainer, and These Are 5 Things I Wish My Clients Would Stop Doing
Being a personal trainer is such a rewarding job to have, but like all jobs, it has its downsides. I love when the mothers I've trained throughout their pregnancy send me pictures of their newborn baby, but at times the ungodly hours make me reconsider my job (just kidding, but kind of not). Like any job, there are things that really annoy me, and when it comes to training, these are my top five no-no's from my clients.
You Set Goals but Don't Want to Do the Work
As a trainer I'm here to help you achieve your goals no matter how big or small, but here's the thing: I can't want it more than you do. I can give you the best nutrition and training plan, but at the end of the day, you have to take responsibility for your actions and your life. This means doing things like recovery work and working out outside of the times we meet. My advice to everyone — trainer or not — is to be real with yourself and what you're actually willing to do.
You Refuse to Make Changes to Your Diet
If you think that you'll be able to transform your body on a McDonald's diet, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. While I believe that most people don't need to follow a rigid diet, there are some things that are an absolute no in my books. For example, if you're trying to get in shape for your wedding or want to build lean muscle, I'm going to expect you to cut out alcohol. For some, the mere thought of a night sans pinot grigio is worse than doing burpees, but I promise you once you've reached your goals you'll be happy you did it. The other thing to remember is that these new "rules" aren't necessarily permanent, but they are essential when you're getting started.
You Don't Push Yourself
Here's some great advice I learned throughout my years as an athlete: it's OK to hurt. Just because you find yourself sweating more than usual, you see your arms are shaking as you do your final set of push-ups, and you despise the rower doesn't mean that you shouldn't give it your all. As a trainer I'm tailoring these workouts specifically to your abilities and goals. I constantly remind my clients that I will NEVER set you up for failure. Be confident that you can do the work, know that it's OK to be uncomfortable, and most importantly trust the program and the process.
You're Always Late
Look, I'm no angel and sometimes sh*t just happens and you end up being late. But when it comes to training, showing up 10 minutes late to every session is disrespectful — especially when your gym is in the same exact building you live in. I think it's fair to say that as trainers, we take repeated tardiness as a sign of not caring and not valuing our time. My tip on how to handle being late: always show up early (and foam roll) and communicate.
You're Constantly Distracted
Please do every trainer a favor and put your phone away. I understand that there are a million Instagram comments and emails that need a response, but I promise they aren't going anywhere. Bottom line: be present. Listen to the cues and corrections you receive. Take the time to actually count out your reps. You'll be better for it.
Image Source: Dana Kinlaw
