How do you define “personal trainer?”
To me a personal trainer is somebody who focusses their time, attention, expertise, and energy onto somebody other than herself, for the benefit of that person. In the context of our industry: my role is to bring my education, experience, and humanity into every session I have with a client. It is NOT a time for me to do my workout, talk about my life, let my mind and thoughts wander, catch up on texts or voice mails.
My clients have allotted valuable resources (time, money, energy) to meet with me regularly. I’m on THEIR time! So, I better be punctual, prepared, energetic, and overall ready to guide them on their path to improved health and fitness.
Also, the element I love of personal training is, in fact, the personal:) If a client comes in feeling extremely stressed (lack of sleep, looking after a baby or parent, work is draining, etc…), I am not going to thrust on them a generic workout program and expect them to a) do it, b) enjoy it, c) continue to see the value in working with me. This doesn’t mean they get a free pass every time life stress hits; it does mean that as a compassionate human being AND a professional fitness (personal) trainer, I have the willingness and ability to adapt the workout to their energy and mood, still making it worthwhile for both parties.
I think of myself as part coach part therapist part trainer all rolled into one.
A personal trainer is a person who is able to see the big picture, is able to adapt, encourage, challenge, maintain professionalism at all times, have a safe workout provided each time and respect the clients time and money. A personal trainer is providing a service which needs to be implementd properly.
A personal trainer should be educated and certified and constantly open to the power of new concepts, ideas, methods and techniques. A personal trainer must be able to execute a well rounded workout designed specifically for that one unique client.
