You are at a party and having a chat about so and so’s trainer. In that instance you may wonder “what exactly does a trainer do?”

I remember one client who asked me to bark orders at him and make him feel useless. That was fun! Getting to use insults on this particular individual was a delight. I kept thinking “I am getting paid to say all that?” It was very rude.

I had another client who paid me to meet him @ 5 am and 9 pm every two days for workouts as he had a goal. Looking back, I think the goal was to not sleep because after a few days I was knackered.

I had another client who came in talked. He could have been a dj he talked so much. Unfortunately his chat was not what I would describe as enlightening. -This was no Dali Lama. – He would badger on about toxins, ailments and his bedtime routine which involved no other exciting action except enjoying chamomile tea before the lights went out. I listened, watched the clock tick tock as each slow minute passing was making me lose the will to live.

I had a filthy rich client who would arrive at the studio in her swag convertible, smoking a joint and wanting to listen to Motown during every training session. After a while, I don’t care how much you are getting paid, even Barry White has it’s limits.

I am adding the fillers above as this was all unusual stuff, and not what trainers normally do.

Here is what trainers do. Or at least, good trainers do.

1. We have relationships. I cannot think of any other occupation in the world where a client sees someone 1-3 x per week. Therefore, being good at relationships is important if you want this relationship to last.  After all who wants to be trained by someone weekly who they don’t like. Therefore, rule 1. We have to show up and be personable, otherwise the client will cheat on us with someone better. And do you know what, I don’t blame them if they do.
2. We create motivating workouts that provide results faster than you will ever achieve on your own. Just think, if you have been working out 4x per week for 10 years that’s 800 workouts. We hit that number in 3-4 months with all kinds of body types and ages. Not to beat around the bush but we kinda know what works.
3. We are waiting for you. Yep you. If you book and don’t show up we get angry. We have muscles so this motivates clients to show up and not get us angry.
4. We make the training environment for one thing: training.  Everything is thought and laid out for a top notch session. Even a good selection of music. Just no Barry White.
5. We coach you. Do you know how nice it is to get coached: It’s super nice. You get to listen to our voices and as we speak will likely swoon into an exercise trance as we provide the most exquisite instructions. (we think our voices sound like Morgan Freeman) and you will too/ha.
6. We want our clients to succeed and perform like Olympians, look hot, and turn heads everywhere they go. That is the honest truth. And when we design the TLA training sessions, we do our damndest to make this truism happen.
7. We correct form. Clients are always doing stuff wrong. Doing stuff wrong repeatedly can lead to injuries. Remember we want you to look and feel good.
8. We take the thinking part away of what to do when you come into the studio. Instead, the only thinking required is implementing the optimum technique of the exercise you are engaged in.
9. We create an environment where you are motivated to continue exercising. Is that a good thing? We believe so. Look at our previous post (if there was a pill/) to see the benefits of regular consistent exercise.  By being consistent, clients are giving themselves something truly wonderful. I firmly believe that.