GA0509_34_37PersonalCRX2.qxp:GA03_xx_xxFeature 5/4/09 2:36 PM Page 36
woman with diabetes, maybe not so much.
“Every good personal trainer I’ve ever
met has been willing to sit down with me
and talk for a half-hour off the clock, with
no money at stake, just to make sure we
sync up,” says Andersen. “See if their per-
Findinga
sonal philosophy matches up with yours.”
trainerwho
That sit-down will also give you an
opportunity to gauge the trainer’s commit-
understands
ment to his own health. In talking to several
personal trainers, Andersen discovered that
andcan
some used questionable supplements
and health practices in order to achieve a
custom-shape beach-ready look — all while hypocritically
aroutinetomeet
proclaiming they’d never advise a client
to do the same.
yourgoals
“The first question I’d ask while I look
them directly in the eyes is, ‘How congru-
isprobably
ent are you with the philosophy of exercise
and health that you teach your clients?’” says in a magazine,” admonishes Chek, who has
themostcritical Chek. “Do they get nervous, do they look found numerous instances of trainers setting
partofthe
away, do they begin to sweat?” If they do, up an identical protocol for clients regardless
walk away. of their aspirations. “Find someone who can
process.
give you references from satisfied customers
Goal Tending who have achieved the objectives that you
If your dream is to run a 10k without crum- want to achieve.”
pling to the floor like a used tissue, a trainer
with biceps like grapefruits may not be your Also on the Menu ...
best choice. Finding one who understands When consulting with a trainer, there’s an
and can custom-shape a routine to meet expectation that no health question is outside
your goals is probably the most critical part their comfort zone. But depending on
of the process. their qualifications, orders to ingest certain
“A specialist in women or in body-shaping foods or supplements should be taken with
or in training for triathlons should be able to a grain of salt.
demonstrate clear evidence of expertise in “A personal trainer can make fitness-related
that area above and beyond reading an article recommendations like total calories, or the
Images
Cross Trainers
ty
Get
Youthoughtyoufoundtheperfectcoach,butallofasuddenhe’sactingsurlierthanamusiccriticataMileyCyrusconcert.
What’stheproblem?Itcouldbeyou.Compareyourselfagainstthesecommontrainerpetpeeves.
Images/
BODY OF LIES ODOR OF BUSINESS DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR TIME BOMBS
endo
Altr
Don’tblamethetrainerfor “Peoplewearingtoomuchper- Ifyouhaven’tbeenabletosee Yourtrainerisamentor,nota
yourpizza-fueledbreakdowns. fumecanbeoverwhelming,” yourtoesinyears,don’texpecta paroleofficer.Don’tbombard
page:
“Thebiggestthingtrainers addsAndersen.Atrainingses- trainertohelpyouruntheBoston yourtrainerwithcountless
evious
complaintomeaboutispeo- sionisn’tadate:Don’tbathe Marathoninthreemonths.“If emailsandphonecalls.“They’ll
P
r
plenotfollowingdirections,” yourselfinfragrancebefore Ididtryandtrainthemforthat, trainwithyouforanhour,then
saysfitnessbloggerCharlotte gettingyoursweaton. I’donlybecontributingtoinjury askyouquestionsfor20min-
Images.
ty
HiltonAndersen.“Theydon’t andfurtherdysfunction,”says utesandmakeyoulate[for Get
followtheprogram,don’tfol- personal-trainingguruPaulChek, somethingelse],”bemoans
R
oss/
lowthenutrition,andthen HHP,NMT. Chek.Askyourtrainerhow
son
theycomebackandsay,‘I’m manyoff-clockconsultsare
notseeingresults.’” appropriateandadheretothat.
Ander
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o:
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36 IHRSA | www.healthclubs.com
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