Poll: how many people are satisfied with the personal trainers in their gym?

mack32

was in the gym earlier and noticed someone squatting with fairly horrific form, i wouldn't usually go offer and say something but i was going to make an exception in this case, was just on my way over when i noticed one of the trainers in the gym walking towards him, thought the trainer was going over to show him proper form, as it turns out the trainer was only getting a plate off the rack but was literally a foot away from this guy as he did his best to massacre his lower back, the trainer stopped looked at the squatter and then just walked off, i couldn't believe it - it was straight out negligent!

as i was warming down i overheard a different trainer running through a program with what i assume was a new member, i would agree with most of what the trainer was advocating but again, once it came to squats form went out the window, we're talkingt collapsing knees, rounded back and weight on toes here, the member actually mentioned a pain in her back but the trainer dismissed it

it got me thinking, outside of my time in IP i've only ever once (in roughly 6 years of regular gym use) seen a trainer employed by the gym correct form/ give good instruction re exercises, maybe i've just been unlucky with my choice of gyms or is this the state of the fitness industry these days?

so in the name of research i'm starting this poll, have at it...

Hanley

mack32 wrote: »

was in the gym earlier and noticed someone squatting with fairly horrific form, i wouldn't usually go offer and say something but i was going to make an exception in this case, was just on my way over when i noticed one of the trainers in the gym walking towards him, thought the trainer was going over to show him proper form, as it turns out the trainer was only getting a plate off the rack but was literally a foot away from this guy as he did his best to massacre his lower back, the trainer stopped looked at the squatter and then just walked off, i couldn't believe it - it was straight out negligent!

PERSONAL trainer. Hint's in the name. If he was with a client, why would he waste the time they spend money on correcting someone else who's probably not going to be interested?

as i was warming down i overheard a different trainer running through a program with what i assume was a new member, i would agree with most of what the trainer was advocating

Are you sure you're not wrong?

but again, once it came to squats form went out the window, we're talkingt collapsing knees, rounded back and weight on toes here, the member actually mentioned a pain in her back but the trainer dismissed it

That sounds pretty sh*t in fariness.

it got me thinking, outside of my time in IP i've only ever once (in roughly 6 years of regular gym use) seen a trainer employed by the gym correct form/ give good instruction re exercises

I really hope Wil sees that. It'd be hilarious.

Are you talking about personal trainers, or fitness instructors here? If you're with a PT and they're doing sh*t stuff, stop paying him, take the custom somewhere else. Simples.

If you're talking fitness instructor, the majority of them don't know what tey're doing and are just employed by the gym to be on the floor cleaning up sh*t and fulfilling insurance requirements. I know a few who have been actively discouraged from offering unsolicited advice to members. In fairness, I can see why...

1) If you're doing something (correctly) after being advised on it, there's still a chance you'll get injured.
2) If you're doing something (incorrectly) after being advised on it, there's a chance you'll get injured
3) If you're doing something stupid, and a trainer offers advice and you get injured as a result in any way...


....the trainer is basically f*cked. If I worked in a big box gym where my main duty was cleaning and giving out generic programs I dunno how much use I'd be. If I was in a smaller facility where members actually get to know you, that'd be different.

mack32

Hanley wrote: »

Are you talking about personal trainers, or fitness instructors here?
1) If you're doing something (correctly) after being advised on it, there's still a chance you'll get injured.
2) If you're doing something (incorrectly) after being advised on it, there's a chance you'll get injured
3) If you're doing something stupid, and a trainer offers advice and you get injured as a result in any way...

....the trainer is basically f*cked.

im just talking about the trainers you see inducting new members etc,

I take your point, but its just that your ordinary person doesn't know much about form etc and relies on their trainer to show them how to do it properly, if you were paying for driving lessons wouldn't you want to know you were being taught properly?

like i said i presume its just the way of the world but it seems odd that these people can get away with providing a substandard service - i suppose its because most people don't know its substandard?

Mellor

no

mack32 wrote: »

im just talking about the trainers you see inducting new members etc,

I take your point, but its just that your ordinary person doesn't know much about form etc and relies on their trainer to show them how to do it properly, if you were paying for driving lessons wouldn't you want to know you were being taught properly?
like i said i presume its just the way of the world but it seems odd that these people can get away with providing a substandard service - i suppose its because most people don't know its substandard?

I don't think you got Hanleys point re: trainers vrs fitness instructors
The difference is pretty big and its something that a lot of people don't seem to be aware of (given comments in the annoying behaviour thread)

These guys giving inductions aren't personal trainers.
A trainer is prob a self emloyed contractor (could also be a gym employee too), they get paid in private by members to provide training and/or instruction. If they were giving bad advice, its pretty ****ty. Should they give out free advice? Another debate really.

Fitness instructors - are the guys giving inductions. "Instructors" is a bit rich as they are basically just staff, there to tidy up, maybe spot guys. I imagine a lot of the time these guys are working towards PT qualification, therefore aren't insured yet, and the gym isn't going to back them up if accidents happen.
Also, you aren't paying for a service, the induction is free.

Red Alert

no

I would say "just about". There definitely could be more, but it's not exactly unsatisfactory. A lot depends on the actual instructors involved: how confident they are about their knowledge and how confident they are approaching someone who's in danger of hurting themselves.

A lot of problems would be solved if people were actually given a proper induction, rather than simply going through the motions. One of the instructors in my gym spends nearly an hour doing each induction. She seems to make sure people know how to do stuff correctly, even basic things like how to use the cardio equipment. This means that they start out with good habits. She trains in the gym herself too, and I've seen her correct bad lifting when she's not working.

Also I've noticed one of the paid-for personal trainers in the gym I go to regularly seems to do "normal" inductions and assessments - maybe the gym is also paying him to do them?

(Perhaps a sticky on the difference between Fitness Instructor & Personal Trainer might be in order?)

JayRoc

As Hanley said, you're basically confusing "Instructors" and Personal Trainers.
There is a WORLD of difference between the two.
Put it this way, usually, with a free induction, you get what you pay for.

hooplah

Just making a point here - inductions aren't free. They're a necessary introduction to the gym and equipment and are paid for by gym fees.

Hanley

hooplah wrote: »

Just making a point here - inductions aren't free. They're a necessary introduction to the gym and equipment and are paid for by gym fees.

I've trained in a tonne of gyms since I was 17 and never once did an induction...

TommyKnocker

Hanley wrote: »

I've trained in a tonne of gyms since I was 17 and never once did an induction...

But imagine how much more AWESOME you would be if you had of attended all them inductions with all that free advice :D:D:D

Hanley

TommyKnocker wrote: »

But imagine how much more AWESOME you would be if you had of attended all them inductions with all that free advice :D:D:D

It's not free tho

TommyKnocker

Hanley wrote: »

It's not free tho

Even so, you could have maybe competed, possibly at a national level. Maybe broken some records. Gotten really big and lean.....


.... Oh wait a minute :D:D

Hanley

TommyKnocker wrote: »

Even so, you could have maybe competed, possibly at a national level. Maybe broken some records. Gotten really big and lean.....


.... Oh wait a minute :D:D

National level? Please

TommyKnocker

Hanley wrote: »

National level? Please

Ooops, sorry. Wasn't sure whether it was national in international