Three Attributes Your Personal Trainer Needs

If They Don’t Have All Three, Kick Them To The Curb

If you aren’t in a particular industry, it’s easy to get fooled. If someone claimed to be an art expert, I’d have zero way to practically assess that claim, I have precious little knowledge and experience in that sector. It’s easy to fool me.

And millions of people are fooled each year from the fitness industry.

Don’t be.

Knowledge

Your trainer should at least know the basics of anatomy. They don’t have to say everything in scientific terms — if they use “chest” instead of “pectorals”, that’s totally fine, but they should know their ass from their elbows. I frequently use “overhand” and “underhand” grip instead of “pronated” and “supinated” because it’s easier for the client to understand.

Also, I get them mixed up.

Doesn’t make me any less of a trainer. It’s all about communication.

They should know the basic exercises and how to do them, as well as how to teach them, which is significantly harder. They don’t need to know every single movement out there — there are thousands , after all— but they should know the most common fifty to one hundred, at least. Hey, they can always buy my book if they don’t know.

They should know the basics of human physiology. How muscle grows, how fat is lost, basic hormonal issues, nutrition, etc. It’s not that…