Boot Camp

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Weight loss is a big part of most of my client's goals. However, I also have clients who train for 5K/10K/half marathons, etc. I have clients who just want to be active again and are tired of living a "couch potato" lifestyle.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Look for a trainer who is certified through a top ranked program. The National Academy of Sports Medicine, is where I received my certification and they are considered the #1 program.

Look for a trainer who has an extremely diverse program and who creates all their fitness programs from scratch for each client. A "cookie cutter" program is NOT going to get you to your goals.

Look for a trainer who is also reasonably priced. A lot of trainers today charge ridiculous rates and there is justification for those high rates.

Lastly, look for a trainer whose program includes all aspects of health and fitness; workouts - cardio & resistance training, nutrition, wellness and more.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. That trainers can be very vague about answering customer questions. Unfortunately, many will BS their way through questions they don't know how to answer vs. just saying they don't know and will need to do some research.

Many trainers don't liked to be questioned about their program, so I would want a training to explain their program before we start and throughout the program.

Many private trainers don't carry liability insurance and that's one way of validating who's really legit and who's not. Make sure to verify this and their certification before you hire a trainer.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Where did they get certified? (NASM is #1)

How long have they been a "professional" trainer? (not just training friends)

Ask for 3 references and call each one.

What is there training philosophy?

Where do they train their clients? (indoors, outdoors, at a gym - make sure if matches what you're looking for)

Ask them to explain, so you understand, each part of their fitness program.

Do they create a program for each client from scratch or do they use a basic "cookie cutter" program?

What equipment do they use to train? (weight machines only build strength, they will not help with balance, flexibility, speed & agility or many other areas of your fitness.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Two main things:

1. Their goals, tangible goals that can be measured. They don't need to have them perfect, but have a good sense of what they want to accomplish. Then once we meet, we'll go over them and finalize what they should look like. That's part of a trainers job.

2. Their level of commitment. If the client is not committed to seeing this through, they will never reach their goal. They MUST be 100% committed to reaching their goals and doing what it takes to get there.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I customize each workout specific for each client's needs, goals and abilities and focused on reaching their goals as soon as possible.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Changing peoples lives for years to come!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. They ask me about the details of my program and I give them a very in depth overview of how my program works and how I would design a program from scratch just for them based on their current level of fitness and their ultimate goals.

I go over how my program addresses their fitness, nutrition - cardio and resistance, sleep habits, water intake, rest and much more.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. Mary G. Lost over 30 lbs in 8 weeks and went on to lose 100 lbs in 12 months. Because of my program she has been able to keep that weight off to this day. It's not just about reaching your goals, but knowing how to maintain your goals for years to come. She has truly added years to her life.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. My whole career has been about helping people reach their goals. For over 15 years it was in Human Resources. Now it's in Health and Fitness. I can honestly say that I love what I do!

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Absolutely! I'd never hire a personal trainer who doesn't. I take course through my certification program, but also constantly read about new studies, techniques, programs, etc. Things are always changing in the fitness world and you have to be reading to stay up on everything.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Determination. Never quit and never give up! This helps motivate my clients as well. When they see how committed I am to seeing them to their goals, they have a deeper commitment to reach their goals themselves.