Sales pitch... sales pitch... sales pitch....
I'm sure this is most of what we fitness fanatics see as we scroll through our Instagram feed. Many of the big names in the fitness industry are either held under the thumb of some larger company they advertise or are just simply looking for a quick way to dig into our pockets. A lot of the time, both cases apply. Not only does this affect the relationship between trainer and client, but it also affects the progress on the client's fitness goals.
When I was first introduced to the fitness world, I began to see a lot of this happening around me. I began to ask, how do these people get away with what they are giving out? I'm sure plenty of others have asked the same. After almost three years of training, researching, observing, etc., I can now clearly see how this is a major issue. Before I proceed, let me clear something up. This is how I see the fitness industry from my eyes. I am not saying that this is the case for everyone in every situation, either. Having said this, if you seem to disagree with my statements you can most certainly leave a comment or email me and we can chat about it further. But, don't be that person that just whines like a little schoolgirl and exits out of her browser because she's so frustrated.
So the big question at hand is, how do big names send out the cookie cutter plans that they do, and still hold a great reputation as a coach or trainer? Well, it's actually quite simple. The first factor is appearance/appeal. If I am an obese individual looking to shed body fat, why wouldn't I look to the master of shred in my eyes? I would want to look like him/her, no? Makes sense to me. Well, the problem is this: not only do people buy into the shredded coach, but they buy into the cookie cutter training plan and diet plan as well. At this point I can already hear some of you saying "well yes that's true but their clients get results!" Which is a valid point to a certain extent. If I am that obese individual I was talking about and I haven't worked out, my results are going to be stupid good. Heck, even an individual with average stats is going to react tremendously to any brand new training program. So the real issue is that these clients aren't reaching their full potential. Not only that, but they are left trying to figure everything out on their own because they are given a 30 day challenge or an eight-week plan upfront with no accountability whatsoever. This is where the second factor comes into play. Lack of accountability and rapport from both the coach AND the client.
A few years ago, I heard my pastor say something that I will never forget. He reminded us that it is his duty to provide us (the congregation) with the Word and the message, but it is also our responsibility to ensure that what he is preaching is truth. That moment will never leave my mind. Church aside, this idea applies to all aspects of life. Unfortunately, not too many people utilize this especially when it comes to the fitness industry. In regards to our topic of coach reputability, we aren't even sure if they have any. Sure, they have eight-packs and 22-inch arms. But trust me when I tell you this - they are the masters of their own bodies. They know how their body works better than anybody else does. They are most likely using PEDs as well but that's another conversation. So, if I were to put myself in the shoes of a potential client I would NEVER trust someone that hasn't taken the time out of their day to get to know me as an individual and as an athlete. If a coach told me he was going to email me his "mass gain" program just after I emailed him a couple of times and sent a payment, I'd tell him to take a hike. From a trainer's perspective it's easy to just take a payment and send a cookie cutter program. Trust me, it makes our lives twice as easy. But that's not the coach I enjoy being, because I know my client won't take it seriously if I don't take it seriously. Beyond that, I speak nothing but the truth when I say I enjoy clients the most when they ask me questions and do their own research. Why? It's simple. If they ask questions, they are basically saying "prove yourself". I love that because it keeps me in check as a coach, and it shows me that all of the time I invested in that client isn't being wasted. Even further than that, I get the chance to build friendships with the people I am helping, and that's more real than anything I can take to the bank.
Don't stop learning. Expect more out of your trainer and help them help you.
