7 Myths About Personal Trainers Debunked!
With more people hiring personal trainers these days, there are quite a few myths floating around about their job and whether or not their services are worth it. Take a look at these 7 common myths about personal trainers and the truths that set them straight.
From the outside looking in, you might think being a personal trainer seems like a fun job — they get to perfect their athleisure vibe and work out all day. Except that’s not the entire picture. There’s a lot more to being a good personal trainer or group fitness instructor than working out — and most trainers need to schedule their own workout sessions so that they don’t miss them.
Turns out, trainers are more like the rest of us than you might think. Here are seven common myths about fitness instructors.
1. They exercise every day
Most personal trainers don’t train all day, every day. Doing so would actually be counterproductive, as it wouldn’t give their bodies enough time to rest, heal, and grow. Even fitness addicts like personal trainers like to have 1–2 rest days in their week. This signifies another way that personal trainers are on the whole healthy, striving for balance in their lives.
2. They are completely and totally consumed by fitness
Sure, there are some personal trainers that are super passionate about health and fitness. But not all trainers live, eat, and breath fitness in every given moment of the day. Some personal trainers might only work part time, and devote themselves to another full-time job.
Some personal trainers like what they do, but can still detach themselves enough to have other hobbies and interests besides fitness. It’s undeniable that your trainer is going to have an interest in fitness, just keep in mind they’ll probably like other activities besides hitting the gym.
3. Trainers do nothing but work out all day
Trainers work with clients all day or often travel from studio to studio to teach classes back-to-back. But that doesn’t mean they are exercising all day long.
There are so many trainers who are at the gym from 5 a.m. until as late as 11 p.m. Between working with clients, programming, preparing and keeping on top of your business, it’s hard to find time to work out.
Plus, giving so much of themselves to clients and having the energy to lead classes often leaves them worn out. You have to be diligent and treat a workout like work.
4. Training is easy money
The easy-money myth comes from the clichés of trainers circling gleaming equipment, barking orders at a scared client before heading off to do their own workout and participate in muscle-related bro talk.
I’m not sure how exactly to put into words how off the mark that is.
In reality, there’s continuing education to consider, plus learning how to work effectively with different personalities, goals, and capabilities in order to get the best out of each client. To put it simply, being a personal trainer is hard work just like anything else worth doing. However, being successful is definitely achievable.
5. They never get injured
Personal trainers always strive for proper form and safety. But they aren’t demigods! Their bodies are prone to poor alignments and injuries just like everyone else. Because they’re on their feet so much, trainers are actually more susceptible to overuse injuries compared to the general population. Overuse injuries are very common, and can even happen in the fittest individuals.
6. They’re always in shape
Personal trainers have lives and responsibilities like everyone else. They might have a period of time where they can’t work out for a few weeks. They like to stay fit, but they may also experience circumstances where they can’t work out and hit the gym. This doesn’t mean they’re bad at their job, only that they’re human!
7. Absolutely anyone can be a personal trainer
The acceptable thing to say is that, that statement is correct on all accounts. Anyone can do it!
But, the truth is that while just about anyone can sign up and take a certification course, it takes a special personality to become a successful personal trainer for the long term. It takes a genuine interest in people, and the ability to relate to them.
A passion for fitness should go without saying, but passion is so important that it still deserves a mention. This passion should not, cannot, be a passing phase in a trainer’s life.
The best way to be sure it’s passion and not a phase is to have at least two years of a consistent fitness or sports activity under your belt. With the time, commitment, and cost it takes to study and pass a certification exam, it’s something you want to be sure you love before leaping into.
The Take-Away
Personal trainers have their own shortcomings and limitations, too. But for the most part, they continue to overcome these challenges because of their own dedication as well as the high-quality training they receive.
