How long have you been involved in fitness industry?
Let
me start out by saying most personal trainers add on their personal training yrs of exercising as years of experience in the
field. For example there is one popular trainer from California that makes the statement that he has been involved in the
fitness industry for the past 10 yrs. The problem is he is only 25yrs old. What was he doing at 15? My guess is, just working
out with himself and his friends. I tell it like it is, I have been training clients for the past 3 yrs, and I have
been training myself for the past 15yrs.
Do you prefer to train a particular kind of client?
I
like to train all kinds of people it really doesn’t matter.
What kind of training techniques do use on your
clients?
I use it all, free weights, machines, plyometric, cardio, if I can give a scientific rational
and apply it with results that follow, then I use it. The problem with most trainers today is they lack an understanding in
biomechanics. They simply copy what they see other trainers use and use it on their clients. So what you have is a cycle of
the same bad workouts going around and around. A lot of them get certified and honestly don’t know anything.
Why
do you think this is the case?
When you have certifications (not mentioning any
organizations) that literally certify you over a weekend’s time, how much can you learn in 48 yrs? I have seen trainers
in very affluent health clubs copy workouts out of magazines and use those same workouts to train their clients. That’s
unfair to the client and it just shows me they shouldn’t be allowed to train anybody.
So
what you’re saying is anybody can become a personal trainer
Unfortunately yes.
This is why so many people never get the results they want and end up just spending money. Again being certified doesn’t
mean you’re qualified. For example some personal trainers make the statement they are also a “certified sports
nutritionist”. In reality, depending on the certification, they either only paid a membership fee or they simply finished
an open book home exam and presto! They are now a “certified
sports nutritionists”! I don’t know about you but I certainly wouldn’t trust someone like that.
Are
there any trusted certifying organizations that people should look for when deciding on a personal trainer?
Yes
I would hesitate to hire a trainer who doesn’t posses one of the following:
ACE (American Council on Exercise) or ACSM
(American Council on Sports Medicine) both have excellent reputations in the field and have extremely high
standards when it comes to certifying trainers. Of course there is the gold standard in certifications the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) along with the CPT (Certified
Personal Trainer) distinction, they also have the C.S.C.S (Certified Strength and Condition Specialist), the most respectable
certification there is. In fact it’s the only one that actually requires a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite.
There are other good organizations not mentioned here. I would suggest when shopping for trainers always check for the following:
·
What were the prerequisites and qualifications the trainer had
to go through to actually obtain the certification?
· Is the trainer insured?
·
How many clients is the trainer CURRENTLY working with now?
Less than 4 is not a good sign.
· Has the trainer ever been published with any written works regarding exercise, health, fitness or diet?
·
What level of education does the trainer posses?
Are
these requirements?
No, not requirements but in my book must have’s. Let me give you one example:
ask yourself the following question, would you go to a doctor who never attended med school? Then why settle for a trainer
who never attended college in the area of exercise?
What separates you
from other personal trainers?
For starters I have my C.S.C.S Certified Sports
Conditioning Specialists certification. This is the only nationally accredited strength training and conditioning credential.
I will also soon earn my Master’s in Kinesiology/Exercise Science. Very few trainers have similar credentials. Not to
mention my private studio puts at ease a lot of my clients fear of the big intimidating health club. Last but not least, my
rates are extremely fair. In fact if someone can make me a lower reasonable offer, I just might take it.
I
noticed you have a lot of free material on your website.
Yes free and quite
unique. I break from tradition and actually don’t sell or suggest taking any supplements. Whether it’s for weight
loss or muscle gain. I truly believe exercise, hard work, and reasonable eating plans are all you will ever need. Again
these supplement companies only care about one thing, MAKING MONEY. In my article Secret
Post Recovery Drink Revealed, I described this new ground breaking sports drink that contains all
these vitamins and minerals and listed all the incredible things this wonderful drink can actually do. The secret drink turned
out to be chocolate milk! With the right marketing any thing can sound as if you really need it. Yet the beauty of the
article was you just can’t replace real food and milk is real food. I will say this, I do enjoy protein shakes, but
I consume them for the protein, convenience (when I’m on the run) and added calories, nothing else.
Do
you have any parting words?
Yes, visit my site or call to make an appointment,
I promise you will not be disappointed. I also give a free 10 minute phone consultation to first time viewers of www.mountainfitnessbyrobert.com. READY SET AND GO!
