You're not the boss, 9 Secrets Your Personal Trainer Doesn't Want You to Know

Fitness

9 Secrets Your Personal Trainer Doesn't Want You to Know

Get fit, but don't get fooled. Find out what personal trainers prefer to keep hush-hush

June 7, 2011 | by Anna Jimenez | 40 COMMENTS

You're not the boss

Usually, when you are paying someone for a service, you're head honcho, but not when it comes to training. Borden says most trainers prefer you to "shut up" and do what they tell you. "Asking questions about what you are doing is totally welcome, but arguing with me about it is not," she says. She says that if you're with an experienced trainer, then they know what they are doing. Basically, Borden says you should offer nothing except your "100 percent effort."

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Personal trainers are not just there to guide you, most of the time people need the push and motivation from a trainer to accomplish results. Everyone has their own opinions and what makes them more comfortable when going to the gym and thats ok. Just dont think trainers are just a waste of money and time, a good trainer will push you more then you would do on your own and help you succeed in what you want from this. and again to each there own.

by christopher_bonilla Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10:39AM Report as inappropriate

I think trainers are good to learn how to work out more effectively, but after that I would just go on my own to save money.

by amber.flute Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 06:09PM Report as inappropriate

Some of this was common sense, but it's still nice.

by NillaButterfly Monday, December 24, 2012 at 09:27PM Report as inappropriate

Trainer are too expensive I rather just workout on my own.

by Perla_Paris Monday, October 1, 2012 at 11:10AM Report as inappropriate

Anyone didn't know, her/himself haven't worked it out gyms & gyms instructors before reading this story need to go take a course to become gym instructor as that's the only thing they could do in life. Big loosers of the society. Why bother going to the gym when you could jog in fresh air, exercise infront of your tv, the music you like. Gyms are just a gimmick to suck money out of people plus the dirt. Gyms instructors are the strippers of the new era, strippers in the gym instead of night club. They're loosers of the society, their brain don't work, they have one thing, their body; they try to make money out of their. They sell their body. The worst one is the Fitness First; they're the dodgiest gym out of all. Lots of complaints to consumer affairs. I have been to Fitness First only couple of times, paid for 1 year. It was a crowded house. Ohh! If you're looking to pick up a date, a meat head, then this is the place to go.

by lillymoss Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 11:17AM Report as inappropriate

A trainer doesnt always work for everyone.

by andyv1217 Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 10:09PM Report as inappropriate

My neighbor does training and I only paid eighteen dollars an hour and he was so much better than the so called trainers in many gyms. I have never looked as good as when i work out with him.

by beautybody Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 10:26AM Report as inappropriate

I've never had a personal trainer, but good to know, I suppose. I'm definitely a fan of working out on my own.

by tallredamanda Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 06:52AM Report as inappropriate

A little willpower goes a long way, you don't have to have a trainer have a friend push you to be better it you can't do it yourself. Its FREE!

by brandi918 Friday, March 23, 2012 at 11:57AM Report as inappropriate

Thank goodness for on-demand workouts on my TV! :P

by cuteAsAbutton Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 01:54PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't ever had a personal trainer...My brain and my treadmill work just fine!

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 01:38PM Report as inappropriate

This is right on.. I had several trainers and all of these applied. I figured out that i didnt need one and i have been training myself.

by laurie72 Monday, March 19, 2012 at 06:46PM Report as inappropriate

I think the point made about how some trainers let their clients dictate to them is really good, definitely a red flag

by sportimonki13 Monday, February 27, 2012 at 08:14PM Report as inappropriate

Great article, but I don't have a personal trainer so the article doesn't really apply to me

by MissXu Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:58AM Report as inappropriate

I wouldn't expect anything less from someone that works at a gym and is completely obsessed with the way that they look.

by howlATthemoon Friday, January 13, 2012 at 02:18PM Report as inappropriate

I was a personal trainer (in my youth) and I agree, for the most part with the article, I can tell you most trainers really are looking out for "your" best interest. It's the client that has expectations of grandeur and it's really frustrating to see progress then hear excuses.

by Belladonnerose Monday, December 5, 2011 at 06:49AM Report as inappropriate

The part about the mats was def an eye-opener. I prefer to use my own mat anyway. I also like to wipe down equipment at the gym!

by Kamala_Kirk Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 05:14PM Report as inappropriate

Unless your in bad shape and need a push, or have limited amount of time to shaping up, then i guess hiring a trainer is ok. But seriously, in my opinion, home training works wonders to. I've been doing that for almost 3 years. And I agree with Freeja95, the brain is not a muscle it is an organ with nerve tissue, it has no muscle tissue what so ever.

by LadySara Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 08:53AM Report as inappropriate

Kind of helpful. I wish I looked like the girl in number 10 after a workout ..

by Kirtastrophe Friday, October 14, 2011 at 04:34PM Report as inappropriate

thanks but taking classes seems more economical to me

by Only1KimmieD Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 05:08PM Report as inappropriate

I am a trainer and I see some of these true..Some not so much.

by tiffany_gallehugh Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

Helpful but kind of common sense really.

by taryn.romero Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 08:58AM Report as inappropriate

hahaha

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 02:49AM Report as inappropriate

getting a trainer always seemed like a waste of money to me

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 01:44PM Report as inappropriate

at least, i think that all this is true in this article. Except that your brain is a muscle. It's an ORGAN for goodness sake! is it an adult or a preschooler writing this?

by Freja95 Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 11:30AM Report as inappropriate

This article really didnt tell me anything that my own common sense hadn't already..

by lindsey_m Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 10:32PM Report as inappropriate

Money always talks...

by Only1KimmieD Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 08:51AM Report as inappropriate

I'm a clean freak, so I work out at home on my own equipment. I've never had a trainer, I'm not sure I want onr now, lol.

by MissPurple Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 12:08PM Report as inappropriate

Hm, interesting. I don't know how true it is of most trainers, since I've never had one. The thing about the mats at the gym is true and gross... they do clean them, but not often. My gym has paper towels and sanitizing spray for members to use.

by LipglossandSpandex Monday, June 27, 2011 at 02:22AM Report as inappropriate

I've never worked out with a trainer before, though I work out pretty regularly. I'd love to have the experience. I always love learning new workout moves.

by ladyboarder9669 Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 12:59PM Report as inappropriate

I don't think the article was saying that everything applies to every trainer, I think it was saying that's how some trainers are, and I know it to be true myself. My husband freaks when I even talk about getting a trainer because he always overheard the trainers at our last gym (which was part of a huge well known chain) chatting amongst themselves. Some of them would be talking about how they pigged out and got drunk the night before at a club or party. Some of them would talk about how funny or pathetic a particular client was. And a couple of the guys even talked about how they would give free or discount training sessions to women if they could get the women to perform...certain services for them in return. I'm glad to know there are trainers like TrainerJan out there, because there certainly are some jerks who don't deserve a penny.

by Superlativity Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 11:44AM Report as inappropriate

First of all, every one of my clients, regardless who they are, gets 100% of my commitment to them. They look to me for direction and get it. I've never smoked, I eat healthy, I take my own advice. I live what I say. No one will ever meet me in the grocery aisle with junk and soda in my cart. As far as ditching a workout, I care about their success. Even if I get paid for the lost session, I want them to make use of their money and see results. They need to both respect themselves and my time. That means also, that they leave our session having had a good workout and hopefully they will also have had some fun with the "work". I do work with people that need to improve their fitness and lose weight, and I want it to be fun for them. I realize some think it's drudgery. That's sad! There are people who for whatever reason can't move, can't walk, and others who can are complaining about exercise being hard. I want people to have fun and find joy in the ability to move. Don't believe everything you read. Some of us out here love being a trainer and go out of our way to help others.

by TrainerJan Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 10:03PM Report as inappropriate

I always wondered what the big deal was about trainers, if you don't have the motivation, then I don't think paying someone is going to solve that problem. You have to want to do it for yourself. It sounds like they don't really help too much if they're scared to say anything out of fear of losing your business.

by RoleModel Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 06:28PM Report as inappropriate

This article contradicts itself in my opinion. First it says that trainers do not want any contribution from the client, then later it says a lot of trainers will let the client dictate the workout plan and be the boss. It also says trainers treat better paying clients better but also provides deals and tips on how to save money. I guess you just have to be prepared for everything with a trainer.

by voyager24 Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 10:18AM Report as inappropriate

Suspected much of this . . .

by DeLux Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 09:11AM Report as inappropriate

Trainers are pointless. Most only want to work with already-in-shape "hot" people, not the people who could actually benefit most from motivation.

by krycekov Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 08:00AM Report as inappropriate

Gross about the mats.

by volta Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 01:36AM Report as inappropriate

I always thought trainers were a huge waste of money. I always get a better workout on my own!

by LittleBunny Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 06:40PM Report as inappropriate

This article seems to be referring to unprofessional, second rate trainers. If I was in the business, I would be highly insulted by this article.

by alictasia Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 06:33PM Report as inappropriate

Ha! Very interesting!

by BellezzaBeauty Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 04:23PM Report as inappropriate

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