Trainers, What Are They Good For?

         In 2024 I moved from Austin, Tx to Mesa, Az and what a change it has been! One of the largest changes that I have noticed is the 55+ community doesn't seem to understand what trainers do and are for. So, I would like to take some time with you today to go over what our job is and what we provide. 

           Firstly, the most common thing I keep hearing is, "Nobody NEEDS someone standing there telling them how many sets and reps they have left." THIS IS NOT MY JOB, that is simply an aspect of the job. Coaches do this, they tell you what to do then you do it while they watch without proper instruction. 

              This is what I personally provide for my clients: 

1. Proper and safe education on bodily movements while performing exercises for the body. Just because you learned to use a machine does not mean that you are using it correctly nor applying it to what your body needs. This could mean, for example, that you have a valgus knee and do a squat improperly with toes out and knees touching. This does not correct movement, nor does it strengthen the proper muscles. Trainers provide proper instruction and education on WHY the client needs to move a particular way and in a particular pattern. This helps clients become better educated and lessens risk of injury significantly. 
2. Injury prevention and corrective exercise. General population and even athletes do not have the knowledge that comes from schooling to become a trainer. Being able to watch my clients move and see their postural deviations is something learned from experience and schooling. So, we provide a detailed eye on top of the knowledge to apply what we see happening in movements and the body in general. 
3. Program design and creation. Onto the applying part, this is where creating sets and reps within the sets comes into play. However, we do more than that, we also provide structure. This means that you one day do legs and specifically focus on hamstrings that day to strengthen knees and hips. The next day we work shoulders to give the posterior chain enough time to recuperate to be able to be worked again. So then we move into the back muscles, specifically working muscles connected from spine to hips. There is an actual process and structure to reaching goals. All of my clients walk away knowing how to program for themselves and any deviations that arise for them in the future. 
4. Education. This is the biggest one that I provide, next to support, for my clients. They get real education as to why they are doing the work they are doing. How it applies to them and how it will assist them in achieving their goals. 
5. Behavioral strategies. We are not all so lucky to have parents such as mine that taught us good habits that keep us going outside of the gym and motivated enough to get inside the gym to move. Being able to provide strategies to clients that help them replace unwanted habits that keep them sedentary and stuck at home is incredible encouraging to continue movement or even begin a workout program. 
6. Finally, we provide motivation and support for those who do not feel they have it surrounding them and those who truly do not have support. People are more likely to succeed when they have proper support on their side. Someone who believes in them because believing in yourself if not always enough.  When you have someone on your side, cheering for you, who is knowledgeable, you also gain more confidence knowing they have the correct information to keep you safe. Knowing and feeling that you are doing things properly and having validation means you will succeed in achieving your goals or even just strengthening your body. 

          I cannot COUNT how many times I have been into the local 55+ communities lately and heard from the residents who much they wish they had a trainer around or support from a trainer to guide them. They feel uncomfortable and some on the verge of tears from trying to understand how to move their body in healthy ways that won't cause injury. ALL communities should provide a qualified trainer who is versed in such areas or allow an independent trainer to come in and guide residents. Now I do want to touch on the difference between running a business out of a facility and simply conducting a session with clients. This seems to be the main issue I have run into lately. 

1. Running a business means that: 
   1. I pay for the right to be there. 
   2. If I am paying for the right to be there, this means that I can legally and safely hang out all day and speak with patrons of the gym as I see fit.
   3. Conduct sessions and group classes at any hour I see fit and what fits my clients schedules. 
   4. Walk around and offer support and education to all gym patrons throughout the day. 
   5. Allow ALL types of clients to meet at said facility and conduct sessions and classes. 
   6. Be insured on my own or through the gym themselves (in which case being insured by the gym makes me an employee and would negate the need to pay a monthly rental fee to utilize said facility. This also means that I would not bring in outside clients, clients would be provided and funneled to me.)
   7. Help keep the facility clean and organized throughout the shift. 
   8. I clock in and clock out. 
2. Conducting sessions with clients: 
   1. The resident meets me at the gym and we enter and exit together
   2. Sessions are conducted for 60-90 minutes then we leave
   3. NO materials pertaining to the trainer is left
   4. The trainer DOES NOT approach prospects or patrons of the gym
   5. The trainer exists the building at the end of the session and moves on with their day
   6. The resident already pays a fee to use this facility and the trainer is not working out WITH them, merely guiding them safely through their work. 
   7. Patrons and residents may approach the trainer and inquire however the trainer is not to approach anyone on their own merit or hang about after or before a session to procure new prospects and clients. 
   8. Independent trainers are fully covered, insured and certified before conducting sessions inside of the clients provided facility. And make sure they pick up after themselves and clean off equipment. 

   
          With all this being said, I hope this helps to provide and shed light on what a great and knowledgeable trainer actually does for their clients. If your community does not provide trainers or allow them to come in for conducting sessions, I encourage you to show them this and the list of benefits that having a great and knowledgeable trainer can provide for you.