Answers (12)
1
Hello Keegan,
As with many people we meet in our lives we tend to learn the most from the more experienced. Whether it be our college professor, a mechanic, our physician and even our parents.
Experience equates to age as well and how one applies themselves in their field with continued education and the desire to learn.
Along with experience a higher price can be expected (paid) for their expertise and knowledge.
We were once less experienced ("newbees"-"green") at one point or another and we sought insight to questions we may have had from and experienced person.
Then comes "respect" ...we tend to respect the "experienced" from what we have learned from them.
All this can be applied when seeking a personal trainer.
Sincerely,
Michael
As with many people we meet in our lives we tend to learn the most from the more experienced. Whether it be our college professor, a mechanic, our physician and even our parents.
Experience equates to age as well and how one applies themselves in their field with continued education and the desire to learn.
Along with experience a higher price can be expected (paid) for their expertise and knowledge.
We were once less experienced ("newbees"-"green") at one point or another and we sought insight to questions we may have had from and experienced person.
Then comes "respect" ...we tend to respect the "experienced" from what we have learned from them.
All this can be applied when seeking a personal trainer.
Sincerely,
Michael
1
That would depend on if the either trainer was proactive with continuing his education.
I would hire a personal trainer who didn't have a lot of experience over a personal trainer who has loads of experience if the trainer with less experience demonstrated dedication to his craft by continually growing and learning.
Years of experience don't always translate into a trainer who is growing and adapting with the industry.
Take advantage of portals like IDEAFit to determine whether the trainer in question is current with scientific advancements in the field of exercise science and physiology and make your decision based upon knowledge and experience.
I would hire a personal trainer who didn't have a lot of experience over a personal trainer who has loads of experience if the trainer with less experience demonstrated dedication to his craft by continually growing and learning.
Years of experience don't always translate into a trainer who is growing and adapting with the industry.
Take advantage of portals like IDEAFit to determine whether the trainer in question is current with scientific advancements in the field of exercise science and physiology and make your decision based upon knowledge and experience.
0
Philosophy or approach to their training programs.
Experience. Background in what they've worked with client wise. Pushing people to failure or exhaustion.
Hiring a trainer with more experience may mean they're better at stand alone procedures and wont need to be brought into a programs for sales, they may have their own magic. But they may also have a harder time adapting. Visa Versa a trainer with less experience may need help with sales, but they may be able to learn programs in place.
Experience. Background in what they've worked with client wise. Pushing people to failure or exhaustion.
Hiring a trainer with more experience may mean they're better at stand alone procedures and wont need to be brought into a programs for sales, they may have their own magic. But they may also have a harder time adapting. Visa Versa a trainer with less experience may need help with sales, but they may be able to learn programs in place.
0
I agree with both Michael and Bryant. It depends why you want to hire a trainer. If you want someone to follow your philosophy and guide him/her the way you think fits best your company, then an inexperienced trainer might be a better choice. If you want someone who has a proven record and can bring new ideas and experience to your team and needs little or no supervision, then a trainer with more experience will be the way to go. With an experienced trainer you pretty much know what you are getting, but with an inexperienced trainer it can go both ways (more likely towards the unknown). You will have to devote more of your time to train and educate this trainer and then he/she will need to be supervised to make sure things are going the way you want. Getting an experienced trainer can help with the promotion of your club/business and you can take advantage of the experience and knowledge this trainer brings. There are pros and cons in both choices and it's up to you to decide what is best for your business.
Best,
Harris
Best,
Harris
0
Hi Keegan and Dawn,
as I look at your profile, you own a personal training company that has several trainers, and I assume that your questions pertains to that scenario.
As the others have pointed out, if you look for a company-wide consistent approach to personal training, then you should hire a rather novice trainer who would probably willing to adapt to any personal training approach that you want to have adhered to. On one hand, that can be of benefit to a trainer because novices rarely have a 'training philosophy'. On the other hand, you may stunt his/her growth because they become exchangeable cookie-cutter personal trainers. That, however, would not be your problem as the person running the company.
A trainer with more years of experience will likely already have a training approach. This is of value if your company philosophy is outlined in broader terms and if you have room for many different training philosophies as long as the customers are happy.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
as I look at your profile, you own a personal training company that has several trainers, and I assume that your questions pertains to that scenario.
As the others have pointed out, if you look for a company-wide consistent approach to personal training, then you should hire a rather novice trainer who would probably willing to adapt to any personal training approach that you want to have adhered to. On one hand, that can be of benefit to a trainer because novices rarely have a 'training philosophy'. On the other hand, you may stunt his/her growth because they become exchangeable cookie-cutter personal trainers. That, however, would not be your problem as the person running the company.
A trainer with more years of experience will likely already have a training approach. This is of value if your company philosophy is outlined in broader terms and if you have room for many different training philosophies as long as the customers are happy.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
0
Hello Keegan & Dawn Malloch,
Another thing to think about is how much income each will desire to earn.
I believe that having both in a gym would balance each other out with new ideas and experience.
Look at the diversity of trainers on IDEA...just as clients are individual, so are the personal trainers. Interviewing them will get you the answers I feel you are most in need to hear.
Take care.
Another thing to think about is how much income each will desire to earn.
I believe that having both in a gym would balance each other out with new ideas and experience.
Look at the diversity of trainers on IDEA...just as clients are individual, so are the personal trainers. Interviewing them will get you the answers I feel you are most in need to hear.
Take care.
0
I often am asked this question at my facility from members. I have a combination of 7 trainers on staff. Recently the owner hired a trainer with 15 years experience training, but no current certification. I only have 1 year experience but make it my goal to take advantage of every workshop or certification I find important to myself and my goals as a trainer.
I think it is very important to have a combination of both in a facility. I am only one of 2 full time trainers. The others all have a "real job" and train part time. So while we have experience here I am not able to take advantage and learn from these trainers, which is something I would love the opportunity to do so.
I think it is more important to ask questions such as; what does this individual trainer bring to my team, how well will they learn from the more experienced or how well will they motivate the less experienced, how serious are they about their career and helping others achieve goals, how willing are they to stay on top of trends/current information in the industry, if they have x number of years experience but are unwilling to get a certification why is that,why did they become a trainer, are they able to adapt to individual goals, and I guess from a client stand point the question that should be asked (in my opinion) is: How will this trainer help me achieve my goals? Do they have a special certification specific to my needs? Do they have years experience training a specific group? How many people would refer them? Are they going to push me?
I think it is very important to have a combination of both in a facility. I am only one of 2 full time trainers. The others all have a "real job" and train part time. So while we have experience here I am not able to take advantage and learn from these trainers, which is something I would love the opportunity to do so.
I think it is more important to ask questions such as; what does this individual trainer bring to my team, how well will they learn from the more experienced or how well will they motivate the less experienced, how serious are they about their career and helping others achieve goals, how willing are they to stay on top of trends/current information in the industry, if they have x number of years experience but are unwilling to get a certification why is that,why did they become a trainer, are they able to adapt to individual goals, and I guess from a client stand point the question that should be asked (in my opinion) is: How will this trainer help me achieve my goals? Do they have a special certification specific to my needs? Do they have years experience training a specific group? How many people would refer them? Are they going to push me?
0
Not to sound trite, but the difference is EXPERIENCE. Assuming that the experience has been meaningful, then the more experienced trainer SHOULD require less oversight, be able to adapt more easily to program needs and changes necessitated by the client's condition, have a larger cadre of exercises at their command, etc. Most or all of this can come from experience.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
0
Hi Keegan and Dawn,
This is one of those 'two sides of the coin' question.
A trainer with limited experience (hopefully) remembers what they have learned from their training better than experienced trainer.
A trainer with experience has more on the job experiences to utilize than a trainer with limited experience.
A trainer with limited experience cannot request the same salary as a trainer with more experience.
A trainer with less experience will probabaly need more supervision than a trainer with more experience.
This is one of those 'two sides of the coin' question.
A trainer with limited experience (hopefully) remembers what they have learned from their training better than experienced trainer.
A trainer with experience has more on the job experiences to utilize than a trainer with limited experience.
A trainer with limited experience cannot request the same salary as a trainer with more experience.
A trainer with less experience will probabaly need more supervision than a trainer with more experience.
0
All good answers. As suggested, experience, and certification, are certainly helpful. Not only do they help demonstrate your commitment to training, but also are a valuable source for recommendations.
I definitely agree that visiting various facilities to determine if you are impressed with their services and equipment, as well as management and hiring personnel. I also agree face-to-face contact is important.
You should also contact recognized and respected certifying organizations (e.g. ACE, ACSM, etc.) to find out you can gain access to their employment opportunities notifications.
Good luck.
I definitely agree that visiting various facilities to determine if you are impressed with their services and equipment, as well as management and hiring personnel. I also agree face-to-face contact is important.
You should also contact recognized and respected certifying organizations (e.g. ACE, ACSM, etc.) to find out you can gain access to their employment opportunities notifications.
Good luck.
0
Experience usually means that the professional will be more knowledgeable and able. But that is not always the case. And lack of experience is not always a sign of less ability and knowledge. I teach students to become fitness instructors and a few were the type of trainers that I would hire in a heart beat. And I have known some instructor with years of experience who never learned anything new or seemed to care to learn anything new. The taught the same classes and styles for years and were happy to do so. They weren't bad trainers, but they were missing out on so many new and better ways to affect change in their clients.
If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, that is an old quote that I don't recall the name of the oriinator. But if you love what you do, you love to learn all there is to know about what you do.
If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, that is an old quote that I don't recall the name of the oriinator. But if you love what you do, you love to learn all there is to know about what you do.
0
Experience is only one factor when making a hiring decision. If someone has 20 years of experience and is still training the same way they were training 20 years ago, that might not be a good thing. Some will say, "Tried and true works well," and others will say this person hasn't kept up with the industry well enough.
Passion.
Work Ethic.
Approachability.
A niche that isn't filled yet but fits with company ideals.
Passion.
Work Ethic.
Approachability.
A niche that isn't filled yet but fits with company ideals.
