8 Signs That You Have A Bad Personal Trainer

Image Credits: www.dominicmunnelly.ie

1. They are constantly late or do not even show up.

• Every time I hear these stories it makes me wonder why people put up with this type of behavior! If your trainer can not be on time (unless in a case of emergency) or does not show up, then you need to drop them as your personal trainer.
• These types of personal trainers are the ones that make other reputable personal trainers look bad. 
• I have potential clients tell me, "Oh Candace, your place is too far". Really. So you rather put up with someone who can not even show up to train you, because it is closer to your house? Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds? 

2. Your personal trainer puts you in dangerous situations.

• The point of personal training is to help clients get fit in a safe way and without injuries. 
• I have heard so many stories of clients getting gashes, cuts, & injuries from personal trainers who put them in perilous situations. 
• If you are not ready to try more advanced techniques, then do not do it. You know your body better than anybody else. 
• I injured myself on a plyo box with rough edges. It took off skin on my shin in two places and a gash on the bottom, near my ankle. I'm so glad it did not happen to one of my clients! So now, I only use plastic boxes with rounded edges to train my clients. 

3. Your trainer is not certified or is not certified from a reputable personal training program.

• Do not ever buy training with a person who presents themselves as a trainer and they are not certified.
• Make sure they certified in CPR, first-aid, and/or AED.
•  If your trainer says he/she is certified through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), do not be afraid to ask them for their certificate number. They should not have a problem giving you it if they are really certified with these personal training programs.

4. Your trainer does not have enough experience.

• Experience is good but honestly, it is a tough one. The reason why is I have seen many trainers with (supposedly) a lot of experience and/or compete and their personal training is mediocre. 
• When I first got certified, the trainers at the gym took it upon themselves to talk about me to other potential clients stating how I did not have enough experience to train anyone. However, I'm the only one who actually got my clients results. 
• Find someone that really cares about helping their clients through their fitness programs. If you notice from week to week you are doing the same old routine for more than a month, then your trainer is not really into helping you. They are only interested in helping themselves.

5. Sexual harassment

• If you have a male trainer and you feel some things he makes you feel uneasy, it is probably because it is inappropriate. I have seen a male trainer stand so close behind a female client that it made me feel uncomfortable. 
• Remember, you hired your trainer to get you in shape not hit on you!
• Male trainers also have to be aware of feisty females. A co-worker of mine told me many stories of clients he had to drop because they were giving him advances he did not want.

6. Your trainer is preoccupied with other things than training you!

• Have you noticed trainer is always on the phone or texting? Remember people, you paid for 30 minutes to a hour of personal training and your trainer should be paying attention to you during that time. 
• The only time your trainer should use their cell phone is when they are using the timer to assist in isometric exercises, getting cancellations from other clients, and in an event of an emergency.

7. Your trainer does not know how to answer your exercise questions or does not know the difference between training a man from a woman.

• Ask your trainer questions when executing exercises. They should know what muscles are being used when you are doing a certain exercise. 
• For example: 
• Stiff-leg deadlift exercise works your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. It is a great exercise for glutes and the back of the legs.
• I remember talking to a trainer in his 20’s about differences in training a man from a woman. He believed there were no differences between a men and a women. He would train women like how he would train men. 
• That is true if the woman’s goals are to gain lots of muscle to compete, but most women want to be long and lean. 
• For that to happen, you have to train them with high repetitions from 12 – 15 and add some speed and agility drills.
• Make sure your trainer knows how to help you toward your fitness goals.
• Also pick up some workout magazines to help further educate yourself in training styles.

8. Your trainer is not able to tell or show your progress

• I believe it is very important to take notes of your client’s progress. How else are you able to show them that you are worth the money they are spending? How can you make sure they reach their goals just from memory alone? 
• I like showing my clients how much stronger they have become over time and how much fat they have lost. 
• I assess them monthly to make sure to they are staying on track to their fitness goals. 

Remember when it comes to getting a personal trainer, do your homework. Watch how they interact with their current clients and watch their progress. Now, a trainer can’t make miracles. You will not lose 30 pounds in 30 days. You have to remember that you need to meet your trainer half way. You have to change your eating habits if you really want to succeed. We can not hold your hand once we are done with your session. Also, don’t lie to your trainer about your physical activities and eating habits, you are only selling yourself short.