I am a brand new trainer. I am being asked to do a practical interview.
I am just about to graduate college with a degree in Ex. Science. I don’t really have any hands on experience. I have to interviews and big gyms. They are asking me to take the managers through a workout routine as if they were new clients. How much of an initial assessment do I do? What should I ask aside from goals, current fitness, health conditions, injuries? Should I just have them do basic exercises? perhaps a bull body workout? If anyone can help me out I do appreciate it. I am quite nervous about these interviews as I am a new trainer. How do you usually go about first workouts with new clients? Thank you greatly.
First and foremost, be yourself! Although it may be difficult, try to present yourself with a sense of confidence. If they are asking you to run the manager or whomever through a practical workout “as if” they are a beginner, new client or whatever, try to truly see them in that role instead of someone who is interviewing you. By that I mean talk to them and explain what you are doing as if they have the level of understanding that the person they are pretending to be has. I use a “tell-show-do” pattern to training, so if you’re comfortable with that and you follow this pattern with each exercise you have them perform, you will be consistent and thorough throughout the interview.
As for exercises, if you yourself workout (which I’m sure you do) then I would perhaps sit down with a pen and paper and begin by writing down some of the major body parts and perhaps 3-4 exercises that you are comfortable with not only doing but also explaining for each part. For example, shoulders (front shoulder raises, external rotation, shoulder press). Then, practice, practice, practice running yourself and someone else through your exercises.
I hope this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]