As the organization plays its opening season in the newly completed Intuit Dome, a new complication has arisen: A lawsuit filed Thursday by a former trainer alleges unsafe treatment of the franchise’s star player.
Randy Shelton was the strength and conditioning coach at San Diego State and worked closely with Leonard during the player’s time with the Aztecs. The lawsuit says the Clippers began their pursuit of Leonard — using Shelton as an intermediary — in 2017, two years before Leonard joined the team.
Following a devastating ankle injury for Leonard during the Western Conference finals in 2016, Clippers assistant general manager Mark Hughes emphasized discretion as he sought out the San Antonio Spurs star’s private health information through Shelton, the lawsuit states.
Hughes and Shelton spoke around 15 times by phone and seven times in person, Shelton says. The offer: a job as the Clippers’ strength and conditioning coach if the team could persuade Leonard to join.
The team got its wish, with Leonard and Shelton joining in the 2019 offseason. From there, Shelton was relegated to the sidelines as a new assistant coach, Todd Wright, took over his responsibilities, the lawsuit says.
Shelton’s remaining job was to take care of Leonard, a task that the suit claims deliberately was made more difficult as the team excluded Shelton from meetings and “withheld necessary medical treatment and information that impacted Leonard’s training and health.”
Leonard’s health woes continued. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2021 playoffs, and Shelton set a recovery target of two years — a timetable the Clippers were unwilling to accept, he says.
Upon Leonard’s return for the 2022-23 season, the team promised a minutes restriction and that the forward would not play back-to-back games but failed to uphold that promise, Shelton claims. After the first two games, Leonard complained of knee swelling and inflammation, and an MRI revealed cartilage damage.
The lawsuit says Leonard was “given biologics to band-aid the problem” instead of allowing the player the necessary time to heal. Less than a month later, in November 2022, Leonard returned to play and suffered two ruptured ligaments in his ankle within a week.
Again, Shelton claims, the team demanded productivity, circumventing Shelton’s advice and withholding information from him. Shelton says the team began to force him out shortly thereafter.
As Leonard battled through these injuries and the team’s record suffered, his minutes per game increased from 32 in December 2022 to 35 in January and 38 in February.
This heavier load, which included one set of back-to-back games in March and April 2023, helped lead the team to a playoff berth. In the first round against Phoenix, Leonard tore his meniscus and suffered cartilage damage on his repaired ACL, requiring another surgery.
After the injury, Shelton complained to the team. He said, according to the lawsuit, that “the mishandling of Kawhi Leonard’s injury and return-to-play protocol has been mind-blowing,” and that “the disregard for his recovery process is unacceptable.”
The Clippers conducted an internal investigation, which concluded in June 2023 and found no wrongdoing. In July, President Lawrence Frank fired Shelton without cause, according to Shelton.
Last season, Leonard again suffered a breakdown that necessitated another surgery. Shelton blames the team for pushing Leonard too hard.
“The Clippers place revenue and winning above all else, even the health and safety of their ‘franchise’ player in Leonard,” the lawsuit says.
Leonard missed the Olympics and is out to start the season. His return date is unclear.
The Clippers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a statement provided to Chris Haynes, the NBA reporter who first reported on the lawsuit, the Clippers said: “Mr. Shelton’s claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton’s employment contract and paid him in full. This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false.”
Rachel Lindsay, Callie Curry, and Chelsea Stark-Jones break down the week in Bravo news
Rachel Lindsay and Callie Curry begin today’s Morally Corrupt with a breakdown of the lackluster Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14, Episode 11 (10:20). They then dive headfirst into a discussion about the disappearance and reappearance of Caroline Brooks in The Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 8 (19:02). Later, Chelsea Stark-Jones joins the pod to recap Alexis’s best Single White Female impression from The Real Housewives of OC Season 18, Episode 3 (33:44).
Host: Rachel Lindsay Guests: Callie Curry and Chelsea Stark-Jones Producer: Devon Baroldi Theme: Devon Renaldo
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are full of numerous Trainers with unique styles, Type preferences, and personalities. With so many bright and vibrant character designs, Generation 9 very quickly became recognized by players for having the best collection of character designs in a single Gen.
To highlight some of these phenomenal concepts, we’ve befriended ten lucky individuals from Paldea to discuss, so follow along below.
Kieran
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Kieran’s design is arguably one of the more interesting concepts in the game; in the Teal Mask DLC, he’s got that classic, emo kid energy with his messy black hair, complete with purple strands underneath for extra edgy points. Kieran’s outfit is very simple, being a variation of the Blueberry Academy uniform — however, it’s not this that makes him stand out, but more so the fact that he’s the only character to receive two different designs.
In the Indigo Disk DLC, Kieran has undergone some changes, wearing a much sportier set of clothes to indicate his new, brutal training schedule. On top of this, his hair has been pulled back from his face, which changes the coloring to show off the purple undertones in full. Both of Kieran’s designs perfectly balance simplicity with the harmony of complementary colors, which makes his appearance interesting and easy to identify. Considering lil’ Kiki here has two successful designs, he deserves his rightful place on this list, without a doubt.
Drayton
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Drayton is one of several new characters added via the Indigo Disk DLC, carrying a preference for Dragon Type Pokemon. This is hinted throughout his design with subtle elements, such as the flowy, cape-like garment he wears around his waist, and his horn/scale-shaped hairstyle.
On top of his love for Dragons, Drayton also gets some bonus points for having a Maschiff design on his jacket simply because who doesn’t love doggos? Drayton also has a strong silhouette that portrays his confidence, and his clothing is a great mix of Academy uniform with unique additions, which helps him stand out from the crowd of other NPCs.
Iono
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Iono is the Electric Type Gym Leader in Paldea and also has a secondary job as a streamer, so I’d say Pokemon hit the nail on the head with her design. She has that comfy, yet stylish attire that so many streamers and content creators are known to love, and even has bright, funky-colored hair split in hues of pastel pink and blue, which is a bit of an e-girl classic, at this point.
However, there are also some really interesting additions to this attire to indicate her Type preference and add some originality, such as her shark-like teeth, screw-like parts of her shoes, and of course, her big Magnemite hair accessories — which can detach and float around her. Or…maybe these are actual Magnemites that have been painted to match her hair? Either way, they make her very interesting and certainly add to her silhouette, making Iono one of several characters who stand out in the Paldea Region the most.
Grusha
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Grusha has been a beloved Pokemon Scarlet and Violet character ever since he was first teased in one of many trailers leading up to the game’s release and for good reason. I mean, just look at his design — Grusha is so simple, yet interesting.
His design clearly portrays the presence of Ice Typing, and the chosen color palette makes him appear cold, yet warm and approachable still. That Poke Ball scarf? An absolute highlight. If I were Grusha, I’d be snuggling into it and letting it cover my face, too.
Crispin
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Crispin is another character introduced in the Indigo Disk DLC, and once again portrays perfect clarity in his design through his simple details and color palette. Right from first glance, before we even witness him speak, we can tell that this guy is a passionate cook — his Blueberry uniform is modified into a chef coat, and he’s holding his best battle stance with that frypan.
On top of this, Crispin’s Fire Type preference is indicated through subtle additions of red, yellow, and orange, such as his scarf, shoes, hair, and the trim of his coat.
Jacq
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Jacq has that perfect nerdy, quirky teacher appearance, complete with a very nice color palette of purple hues. His biology and teaching roots are indicated with the numerous books he carries in his hand and coat pockets, and the room phone sitting in his shirt pocket.
The hexagon-shaped glasses and rips in his pants are a nice little touch of detail that adds to his character, and the dad sandals honestly just complete Jacq’s entire vibe as he he takes on a step-in father figure approach and runs around after his class, making sure they’re all healthy and happy.
Brassius
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Brassius is the Grass Type Gym Leader in Paldea, and in my opinion, perhaps the best Grass Type Gym Leader design of all time. His entire design is themed around thorns and vines, and this is pulled with great success. The thorn-like spines in his shirt, the belt wound around his body, and even his hair; everything is shaped like a thorn, which adds to his silhouette and makes him stand out while also keeping things strongly related to his Type usage in the perfect way.
Brassius’ design isn’t overcomplicated, either, which is quite impressive. A concept such as this would be easy to go full send on and make everything super busy and complex, yet Brassius here remains eye-catching, easy to read, and interesting, holding just the right amount of mystery to make you want to know more.
Atticus
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Atticus certainly stands out as being one of the brightest and bold character designs in the entire Pokemon franchise. Don’t let this overwhelm you, though — this dude’s appearance fits his personality and background perfectly, and once examined, it becomes obvious that this is one of the most interesting designs in all of Scarlet and Violet.
Atticus is said to be a descendant of ninjas, hence his unique attire. However, he’s also modernized his take on ninja wear by adding his touches — black and white chest straps, bright coloring, and sludge-like patterns to indicate his Poison Typing and a hood that creates an illusion of dripping poison covering his face. Honestly, it’s easy to see why he was responsible for coming up with the Team Star outfits; this guy is a design whiz!
Ortega
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, if there’s one thing I have to say about Ortega, it’s that he somehow managed to make me love and hate him all at once…but if he’s good enough for the rest of Team Star, he’s good enough for me. That being said, Ortega has a phenomenal character design, and there’s no denying it. His design tells so much about his character that even just a slight glance can indicate that not only is he a Fairy Type user, but also that he’s a rich little boy from a wealthy background.
Putting his background aside, this ‘fit honestly just suits Ortega’s personality to a T. He definitely gives me the vibe that he’d always want to be dressed in proper quality attire, so this matching dress coat and pants certainly do the trick…and I do love his little bowtie. However, the best part is without a doubt, his golden Poke Ball staff. I mean, look at the Poke Ball — it has little pixie wings to once again indicate Ortega’s Type preference. Little details like this go a long way, which is why Ortega’s overall character design is such a huge success.
Professor Turo & Professor Sada
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Scarlet and Violet are the first games to offer version exclusive professors, and for good reason — one for the past (Scarlet), and one for the future (Violet). These design variants are pulled off with nothing but success, too. I’m honestly blown away a little at just how much the past/future aesthetics of Paradox Pokemon were able to be indicated through Sada and Turo’s designs, whilst still holding that classic Pokemon Professor look at the same time.
Turo takes on a futuristic bodysuit with sleek patterns and markings that give off sci-fi and cyberpunk vibes, while Sada has a very cave woman-ish vibe to her, complete with little beaded belts and necklaces that appear to have jewels resembling fangs or claws hanging from them.
Another thing that is interesting about these designs, is that with them being Arven’s parents and Sada resembling the past while Turo resembles the future, leaves Arven as the present. Putting all three of these characters side by side makes the designs even more harmonious as a group, which shows off just how well thought out each character is.
About the author
Grace Black
Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.
Before you fork out some cash for a personal trainer, read this guide!
It’ll help you spot the difference between a bad personal trainer and an AMAZING trainer.
And trust us, having the right trainer can make ALL the difference in the world.
There’s nothing worse than spending 6+ months in a gym (and thousands of dollars) with a trainer, only to step on the scale and realize that you haven’t made any progress.
It’s…
I’ve worked with good trainers and bad trainers over the past 16 years, have worked with the same online personal trainer since 2014, and we have a team of 15 personal trainers on Team Nerd Fitness.
Long story short, we know our stuff, and we’ll give it to you straight.
Whether or not you want to check out our 1-on-1 Online Training Program, this guide is going to help you with all the details.
In this guide we’ll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to personal trainers – both in-person and online:
As Coach Matt explains in the video above, the first question you need to ask when hiring a personal trainer: do they match up with your goals?
And yep, that means we’re going to have to pick some goals in the first place!
So start by picking your goals and then determine if the trainer you’re paired up with is the right fit for you. Like dating, you can meet somebody who’s amazing but not right for you.
If somebody is a competitive marathon runner, they might not be a great powerlifting coach, and vice versa.
So, start with your goals for finding a personal trainer:
These goals will largely determine the type of trainer you’re looking for.
MISTAKE #1: Not making sure your trainer has expertise in the area you want to train in.
Expertise in one area does not necessarily make them a good fit in another!
After that, you’ll want to think about what you NEED from your personal trainer:
Are you looking for a powerlifting coach to show you the basics (squat, deadlift, bench) so your form is right? Just a few sessions up front and a few later down the line to confirm you’re on the right path might suffice.
Are you new to working out or looking to kick start your first 2 months of training with 2 sessions per week to keep you disciplined?
What type of person are you? Do you need more hands-on guidance throughout your workouts, or more space to take ownership and thrive on your own? Do you need somebody who will cheer you on or do you need tough love from somebody to call you on your bullshit?
Once you set proper expectations with what you want and how long you need a trainer for, then you can pick out one that hopefully will work for you.
Once you find a trainer you are considering working with, the next step should always be an in-depth conversation.
MISTAKE #2: Blindly accepting what your trainer tells you without making sure you fit together!
They SHOULD be listening to you completely and hear your full story.
They SHOULD ask about any past issues with injuries or experience with exercise. If you’re injured or have any deficiencies, they should know this so they can create a great program for you.
They SHOULD ask you about your nutrition. If they don’t ask about your nutrition, you’re going to be wasting your time.
They SHOULD practice what they preach. They don’t have to be an Olympian, but should have a healthy lifestyle.
They SHOULD tell you about their expertise and how they can help you. They should be able to share past successes of clients with you or point to their credentials and history of success.
They SHOULD set proper expectations. You won’t get ripped in a month, but they can let you know it could take many months to get in shape or build the right kind of habits.
That’s what to look for. These are the things we specifically focus on with our 1-on-1 online coaching program. We love helping people in a way that fits their lifestyle, at a pace that they feel great about, while actually having fun.
Beware the “entertainment exercise” trainers with a routine that isn’t catered to your goals.
MISTAKE #3: Thinking a workout is more effective because it’s confusing.
Many trainers just try to confuse you with needlessly complex movements, and put all their clients through roughly the same cookie-cutter plan.
Why? because they know it makes them look knowledgeable without actually needing to do something effectively:
“Now balance on this bosu ball while doing these dumbbell squat lunge curls and standing on one foot with your tongue out! Muscle confusion!
I hope you saved some energy for the row machine.”
Tough workouts are great, but remember that while it’s easy to get someone tired (“go do 100 burpees!”), it’s harder to help someone slowly improve and build momentum.
Sure, it might elevate your heart rate and tire you out, but if it’s not building towards your goals in a way that you couldn’t do at home, what are you paying for?
They might also have just obtained a basic certification and stopped their education there, relying on ‘conventional wisdom’ rather than doing the research and building the experience.
If your trainer says any of the following phrases, run for the high hills:
“Yeah you don’t want to squat too low – it’s bad for your knees.”
“Use this machine; it’s safer for you than free weights” (unless you have an injury)
“Yes, you should be using mostly your back. That’s why it’s called the back squat”
I have overheard all of these sound bites from real trainers in real gyms, and it made me weep like the Native American in the 1970s pollution ad:
Your trainer should be results-focused, not focused on scheduling you a new session and keeping you around.
I often see clients working with trainers for months and months and that client never looks any different.
The trainer is just interested in cashing another check.
Remember,your personal trainer works for YOU: Don’t let them build a program that doesn’t actually fit your needs!.
Do they adjust your workout to take care of any pre-existing injuries you may have, or do they just give you a cookie cutter workout?
Are they encouraging or helping you succeed in the way you want to be encouraged, or are they scrolling through Instagram models on their phones while you’re doing your sets?
Are they putting in the time so they can see you get results, or are they putting in the time so they can check the box and collect your money?
You’re paying money for this person’s expertise and attention – it’s not too much to ask to find somebody who takes those things seriously.
T-Nation provides a rundown of the pros and cons from a trainer’s perspective that we feel is also useful insight from a client’s perspective. Be sure to check them out if you want to learn more about what’s behind your trainer’s certification.
CrossFit certifications are completed in a single weekend. While a CrossFit certification does not make a trainer bad (there are plenty of excellent CrossFit coaches out there!), it does not guarantee excellence either.
A certification from NPTI – the National Personal Training Institute – is a credential gained from going to a school for personal training (rather than attending a single class or taking a test).
While no certification can fully promise excellence, we believe trainers with NPTI certifications are worth your consideration.
CAVEAT TO ALL OF THIS: Plenty of trainers who have NO certification are incredible, and plenty of other trainers have the most elite certifications and are terrible trainers.
MISTAKE #4: Blindly accepting a trainer’s credentials or discounting a trainer without certain credentials.
Certifications can be a starting point, but they shouldn’t be the determining factor.
One of the most important things to look for in your trainer isn’t a credential or certification at all, but real experience and an enthusiasm for helping you reach your goals.
For example:
Looking to powerlift or get into Olympic lifting? Look for someone who has successfully competed in their fields, or someone who actually coaches athletes who do compete!
Need to lose a lot of weight? Ask a trainer to share with you success stories from people who are like you.
In our view, finding a trainer with proven experience and a track record of performing or coaching (or both) in the area of your goals is the most valuable step you can take to ensure quality.
The credential is only a starting point.
Trainers aren’t cheap, but the benefits can be priceless.
Remember, you aren’t paying simply for their time with you. You’re paying for the years and years they’ve spent learning, training, and coaching.
It’s the years behind the certification that makes their time so valuable, so expect the cost of a trainer to be significantly more than the cost of a basic membership at your gym.
The cost of a personal trainer can vary dramatically depending on:
Where you live (in an expensive city, small town, etc.).
The quantity and duration of your training sessions.
What kind of training you are looking for.
But you want specifics.
The average North American trainer charges $55 for an hour session.[1]
That’s an “average” so let’s break it down a little.
Here are the prices for working with a trainer in various capacities at my generic commercial gym in the NYC area (definitely on the more expensive end):
4 sessions per month: $95 per session = $380/month
8 sessions per month: $85 per session = $680/month
12 sessions per month: $79 per session = $948/month
Is this pricing more or less than you expected?
Here is how much a personal trainer costs at:
Global Gyms: Most big box gyms offer personal training:
LA Fitness: you can expect to pay about $60 per session.
24-Hour Fitness: it’ll be about $80 per session.
Anytime Fitness: as little as $35 a session.
Luxury Gyms: If you go to a more upscale gym like Equinox, expect to pay “luxury” prices of $110+ an hour.
In-Home Personal Training. If you don’t want to head to the gym, you can actually have a personal trainer come to your home. The cost on this could be all over the place, but a rough average would be about $65 for an hour session.
Different trainers will have different qualifications and expertise, leading to vastly different training experiences.
This can be really important.
MISTAKE #5: Thinking “more expensive” automatically means “better results.”
Cost is not the right metric. VALUE is the right metric!
Depending on your goals and the results you’re after:
$30 per session might be overpaying for a crap trainer who gives you a generic workout and doesn’t care about you.
$100 per session might be a STEAL if it’s an amazing trainer that gets to know your life and your personality, motivates you in the way you need to be motivated, and helps you get past a plateau when you stall.
That’s why remembering your “get in shape” goals is critical when buying a personal trainer.
If you’re looking to do 5 sessions to improve your powerlifting technique, that’s different than hiring a trainer to be with you in person 3x a week to get you to the gym.
HOW TO THINK ABOUT HIRING A TRAINER:
You’re not just paying for an hour of somebody’s time.
You’re paying for their years of experience, schooling, training, and expertise.
You’re paying to outsource ALL of your fitness questions to somebody who knows what they’re doing.
Somebody who gives you the confidence you’re training correctly.
So instead of “I am paying this trainer for 1 hour, this is too expensive,” what you’re really paying for is confidence, momentum, and (hopefully) results.
As somebody who has worked with an online trainer since 2014, I would pay any amount of money to my coach (just don’t tell him that) because I love getting results after years of struggle.
Our pricing comes in at a less-expensive price than 4 sessions per month with a trainer.
In addition to building you a workout program for the month, we also help you with your nutrition, mindset, and goals, and answer all the questions you have.
#1) Freedom to fit your schedule. With an online personal coach, you can train when and where you want to fit your schedule – your coach builds the workout program for you ahead of time, so you can fit it in at your convenience.
Compare this to a traditional coach, and you’re at the mercy of their busy schedule. If they only have time Friday morning at 8am, and you’re not a morning person, conflict ensues.
#2) Persistent worldwide accountability. I’m borrowing this phrase from a NF Coaching Client, Jeff (his success story is great). No matter where in the globe you are, your online trainer comes with you.
Which means the accountability never stops. If you travel for work, your coach can plan for that and build you a special travel routine. Getting relocated for work? No problem – your coach will still be there.
#3) Nutritional guidance. With most traditional personal trainers, you engage with them only during your scheduled visits: they help you work out and that’s about it.
With an online personal trainer, you’re connected whenever you have access to the internet. And I would imagine that MOST online coaching programs, work with you on the most important part of the equation: eating healthier!
AKA everything that happens in the 23 hours outside of the gym.
#4) More cost-effective. Most in-person personal trainers are expensive, especially if you work out with them two or three times a week.
That’s because if your trainer is working with you, they can’t work with anybody else at the same time.
When you work with an online coach, because you aren’t training with them 1-on-1 in the gym, they can provide more cost-effective guidance.
When you factor in their availability via chat and their help on habits and your nutrition, you’re looking at a life-changing experience if you find a coach that fits your personality.
When comparing online coaches versus regular coaches, I’m going to share the cons as if you have the option between a GREAT online coach and a GREAT in-person coach.
Neither of those is guaranteed.
Here are the cons of an online coach when compared against a real-life equivalent:
#1) Your coach can’t do the work for you. There’s nothing stopping you from skipping a workout and lying to your online coach that you did it. Nobody wins in this scenario, but I can totally see it happening.
So yeah, an online coach can’t pick up the weight for you, and they can’t yell at you to put down the donut. You have to do the work!
#2) No real-time feedback and instant form check. If you’re learning how to powerlift, or you’re going for a particular heavy lift, having a coach right there is HUGE.
They can tell you to move your squat slightly wider. They can guide you through the movement and consistently remind you – even when tired – to keep great form.
Although we do form-check videos, where we have coaches and clients send clips back and forth to each other, it’s not the same as having somebody critique you in real-time.
If you’re looking to nail a particularly challenging lift, or learn a dangerous gymnastics move, working with a trained professional in person is invaluable.
#3) The value of sunk cost. If you pay for a month of online coaching, there’s nothing inherently motivating you to go to the gym when it’s cold and you’re tired – your coach can’t yell at you, and you’re not letting anybody down in the moment when you don’t make it.
Compare this to working with a real coach in person.
You paid $100 for a session, and if you don’t show up, that money is *POOF* gone. So you tell yourself, “I already paid for this, and my coach is gonna be mad, I should probably go.”
And then you go. And you’re so glad that you did.
Although your online coach can notice that you haven’t signed in on your app, and they can ask what’s going on, this is after the fact compared to an in-person coach getting stood up.
I wouldn’t say one format is clearly better than or superior to another. It really depends on what you’re after and the circumstances of your situation.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I’ve been working with an online trainer since 2014, and it’s truly been life-changing for me.
I had some goals that had evaded me despite a DECADE of effort, and it took a great coach to coax out the right strategy. It’s how I say (jokingly) that I went from Steve Rogers to Captain America.
And it was my coach’s programming that got me a 420-pound deadlift at a bodyweight of 172 pounds:
I’m not gonna set any powerlifting records, but I’m healthier, happier, and stronger each and every month, and I’m damn proud of that.
For somebody that can’t afford a top-of-the-line professional coach for each session, having an online coach to build your programming and guide your food choices is a verrrrry close second.
HERE’S MY ADVICE: Give your new personal trainer 5 sessions before making a decision that things aren’t working out (sessions are often sold at a discount in a package).
The first session is often exploratory, explanatory, and introductory, and the trainer needs to test your limits and movements to build upon that.
This isn’t a “get fit quick” strategy, but rather one that could take months and months for you to find the right person to aid you on your journey.
Don’t expect miracles in a day!
A few words of wisdom if you do hire a trainer:
DO NOT USE YOUR TRAINER AS AN EXCUSE: Too many people will hire up a trainer and give no effort in the gym or the kitchen.
Then, when they fail to see results they can turn to their friends and say “man, my trainer is terrible, THAT’S why I’m not losing weight/getting stronger/etc.”
This happens so much more often than you’d think. A trainer is a guide, like Morpheus.
You have to take the pill and walk through the door yourself.
MAKE CRITICISM CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM: Often when the trainer asks them to do something (walk every day, throw away junk food, eat a vegetable), the client/trainee comes back with 1,001 reasons why they can’t do that.
No compromise or discussion of possible solutions. This stinks.
Instead of saying “no,” offer an alternative solution and negotiate a plan: “I don’t really like broccoli, do you have a way to make vegetables taste better?”
In other words, don’t look for problems, look for solutions.
IF YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH YOUR TRAINER: Let them know and continue working with them.
The more information you can give them on your progress, the easier it will be for them to alter your program as you go on.
IF YOU DON’T ENJOY WORKING WITH YOUR TRAINER: That’s okay too. Not all relationships end in marriages.
I think you can be honest with them and let them know that it’s not a good fit and you will not be continuing to work with them.
Good trainers at this point will ask what they could have done better.
Trainers who are simply after your money may guilt trip you or beg you to stick around. Try somebody new and keep the search going.
REMEMBER: this is a lifelong quest, and you’re on the hunt for a great guide to help you on your journey.
They won’t do the work for you, and they can’t work miracles.
Have proper expectations, do what you’re told, and this could be the best investment you’ll make in your entire life!
Trainers in the Rebellion, what did I miss?
Those who have had experience working with Trainers, any wisdom to share from your experience?
One final note: Going to a gym is intimidating, especially if you’re starting out.
If you are in a location where there aren’t any great trainers, you don’t have access to a gym, or you’re just not ready to work with somebody in person, consider checking out our Online Coaching Program!
Schedule a free call to learn more by clicking on the image below:
If you have questions about what you need to look for when it comes to training with a coach in person, or even questions about working with an online trainer, leave them in the comments below so I can chime in!
