Here are the top reasons to avoid using a personal trainer: Trainers have no incentive to show you worthwhile exercises A common complaint about trainers from bodybuilders, powerlifters, and others in the know is that they tend to focus on gimmicky, ridiculous exercises. Odds are the clients are standing one-legged on a bosu ball, doing endless amounts of curls with 5lb dumbbell. Odds are the clients are doing low-weight, high-rep routines. And odds are that, by the end of the training session, the client will have never set foot in a squat rack or used an Olympic lifting platform. Well, assuming that trainers know enough to build a proper routine is the first problem. A , or standing on one foot in the lotus position on a bosu ball between bouts of stepping up on a bench, rapidly curling five pound dumbbells? One of the most unfortunate misconceptions in the fitness world is that more complicated routines are necessary to get in shape. When it comes to resistance training, more is less. Doing complicated high-rep, low-weight movements serves only to confuse and is ineffective at building muscle. In fact, one of the most effective routines for beginners, , involves only three exercises a day. The trainers, not wanting to disappoint, leads the client towards the machines, even though they may know deep down that machines are less effective. Just like almost everything trainers do, this is actually counter-logical, because compound exercises done with correct form can actually help to correct muscle imbalances, preventing injury. Other certifications will be considered based upon your experience. If you have not yet completed your degree or certification, and wish to be considered, please contact your local Club Manager for more information. While more respected programs, like those from the the National Strength and Conditioning Association, gruel examinees on biomechanics, body chemistry, and psychology, other certifying organizations require a simple online test or a weekend course. One of the causes of this is a lack of a reputable, third-party accrediting body for programs. As the fitness industry continues to about which one to use, clients get the short end of the stick. Training is big money for gyms. Not only are the training sessions themselves profitable, gyms use their trainers to push nutritional products on clients, like protein bars and powders, which are usually heavily marked up. And many commercial gyms have their own proprietary workout accessories that are mainly sold to trainees , anyone? Trainers play into the business model of a gym — get as many people paying a monthly fee, but not actually using the facilities — as possible. If they really showed you how much fun working out could be via compound and Olympic lifts, you would actually use the facilities. There are trainers out there that are worth their salt. Many of these can be found at your local independent Crossfit, kettlebell, powerlifting, or strongman gym. If your trainer exhibits any one of these, you should stop using him or her immediately: Is underweight. Leads you towards machines and away from free weights. Gossips with you about personal problems. Spends more time talking with you than training you. Conversely, spends more time looking at the clock, or a cell phone, than training you. Feels the need to assist you on every lift. Does not warm you up before starting you with your working weights. Tries to sell you supplements. Has no knowledge of nutrition. Has no plan — makes up workouts on the spot. For form advice, I compared myself to GIFs and YouTube videos. For more general feedback and information, I took advantage of the newly-formed subforum on the Something Awful Forums. Note: this was originally written and published on my personal blog in March 2011.
