As a fitness professional, I have seen a variety of markets: from collegiate strength and conditioning to physical therapy centers to big box gyms; I have had coaches and I have had trainers. Each had a different vibe, both good and bad, and taught me a lot about a holistic approach to fitness. There are two types of fitness professionals: trainers and coaches. Picture both of these people in your head. Trainers tend to be viewed as the gum chewing, rep-counting, airheads that can’t stay out of the gym so they get a job there. Coaches are portrayed as an older gentleman with a whistle and a stopwatch yelling, “drop and give me 20!” In reality, both of these are wrong; I do believe, however, that one is better than the other.
From my experience, the trainer is the one who has a new workout every session, counts every single rep out loud, and has a mission to make you feel exhausted and run down by the end of each day. Truthfully, if your only desire is to lose some weight then this method will work. If you want to improve your life all around by getting stronger, leaner, and pain free, this will not get the job done. You can only go all out for so long before your body decides it has had enough and begins to break down. Not to mention, why would you want to go back to the gym if you threw up twice last week and almost passed out the week before? I know I wouldn’t.
There are over 150 personal training certifications out right now and many of them can be obtained by taking an online quiz with payment of a small fee. Truthfully, all the letters after a trainer’s name do not mean a whole lot. At the same time, an individual can read every textbook and double major in exercise science and biomechanics, but if that person doesn’t understand how to apply their knowledge then it means absolutely nothing. This is not to say that education is not important, because it is, but real world experience is where actual knowledge is found.
Coaches are those who do exactly that, COACH. They take the time to make sure each exercise is perfected, that the client’s progress is monitored, and they understand how to adjust and tweak a training program based on outside factors such as illness, stress, or even just “one of those days.” A coach plans out a program, consisting of weeks, months, and even years. There are goals that a client comes in with and there are goals that a coach will have that take into consideration the health and strength of a client. It’s not just about the number on the scale; it is about creating a body that can function easier for a longer period of time. It’s about helping an individual achieve things they never thought possible. When a client deadlifts a couple hundred pounds for the first time, it is an amazing feeling for both the client and the coach. Trust me, I have been on both sides.
So when it comes down to it, seeking a professional’s guidance is a costly thing, both monetary as well as personal. You are putting your health and body into the hands of another. Do some research and make sure you know whom you are going to be working with. If you just want to drop pounds and want a quick fix, a trainer can get you that. If you are looking for a life change and want to reach goals you have only imagined, get a coach. I have worked with a lot of trainers and I have worked with a lot of coaches, and not to knock anyone, but the coaches I have worked with have taught me a lot more and had a much wider view of their clients and athletes than any of the trainers I have known. I will simplify it with this – a trainer has techniques and tools that can only get you so far, a coach has a philosophy that can change your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment