1) Their specialty is “everything.” This means they claim they can get you the best results whether your goals are fat loss, strength, muscle gain, sport specific, special population, powerlifting, endurance training, and many others. Anyone who claims they can do everything well can’t do anything all that great. As the old saying goes, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” It’s very uncommon for anyone to be an expert in every single area. For instance, if you want to get ready for a figure or bodybuilding show, I am not the best person to work with you. Yes, I know I could get you great results, but not near as well as someone who works with this population on a daily basis. A great trainer isn’t afraid to tell you their strength weaknesses.
2) They tell you that your stomach is the only part of your “core.”
3) Their idea of a “functional” exercise is having you do a squat on a Bosu ball.
4) They can’t tell you the difference between flexibility and mobility.
5) Everyone they work with does the same workout.
6) They tell you or anyone else to do floor crunches and/or sit ups.
7) When you ask them how they stay up to date and increase their knowledge as a trainer, you hear crickets chirping and see tumble weeds roll across the floor.
8) They don’t have a training certification. You may think this is a no brainer, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t have any credentials for their profession but train people.
9) They tell you to do copious amounts of long, slow cardio for fat loss.
10) They tell you to do body part splits. In my professional opinion, and that of many others, the vast majority of gym goes should only do total body routines or upper/lower splits. If your goal is fat loss, and your trainer has designated days for chest, back, shoulders, arms, and legs or a similar split, I will tell you right now-walk away and don’t waste any more of your time; that person has no clue what they’re doing.
11) They let you do squats in shoes that have shocks.
12) They do bicep curls in the squat rack. This one is just annoying more than anything. There’s a reason it’s called a squat or power rack. No curls allowed.
13) They don’t know the difference between a hip dominant lift and a knee dominant lift.
14) They only tell you to do high rep sets for abdominal exercises.
15) They use the phrase “side abs.” This is another annoying one. I saw it recently on an infomercial selling a “fitness” product.
16) They think they know everything. This one is dangerous. The best trainers and coaches in the world never stop learning.
17) They tell you not to squat to a true parallel squat (hips are even with or slightly lower than the knees).
18) They tell you to use a smith machine. The only times you should use a squat machine are for pushup, inverted row, chin-up variations, and mobility drills. Other than that, it has no purpose other than a coat rack. No benching, upright rowing, and definitely no squatting.
19) They think the trainers on Biggest Loser are truly great trainers.
20) They include the use of a few machines in your program: leg extensions, leg curls, adduction, chest press, etc. For the most part, machines are a waste of time. You are much better off doing bodyweight and free weight exercises.
21) If you are overweight and they tell you to go jogging a few times a week. I can’t remember who said this, but he was right on: “You don’t run to get fit, you must be fit to run.” The last thing an overweight person needs is repetitive impact on their joints.
This is by no means an exhaustive list; many more things could be added to it. The point is this: if you are going to hire a trainer, do your homework! Ask them questions, ask to speak with individuals they worked with. Don’t hesitate to question them, it’s your money and time! Spend your time and money with a trainer who can get you the results you desire.
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