Category: Trainer Development

It’s Time to Put Your Creative Work Out There — The World Needs to See It

Is it scary to put yourself out there? Yeah, but if you help one person, it’s worth it. As Steven Pressfield puts it, “the more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”

It might scare you to start that business, create that blog, or write that book. But remember, not too many artists have an album full of hits. It’s not about being perfect every time, it’s about sharing your gifts with the world. 

I have a process mindset, so I know that an imperfect plan if put into action now, will teach me more than a perfect plan never acted on ever could. 

Don’t be afraid to ship your work

It might be hard at first. I was flat out afraid of failing, and still have moments where I face some fear. But, nearly two decades as a trainer and a decade of owning a personal training studio, taught me that failure comes with the territory. 

After a while failing won’t bother you, it’s the lack of taking action that will. I’ve seen too many perfectionists wait for the ‘perfect time’. The perfect time is always now. 

They’ve said things like, “when I have the perfect business plan, I’ll start my business.” Or “who am I to write a book, give a speech, or start a blog?” 

Sometimes what I think is my “best work” gets no likes. But then one person reaches out to me directly and says how much it meant to them. And sometimes what I consider my “worst work” gets a lot of feedback. So I guess that story in my head isn’t always right! 

When you feel stuck, it helps to ask yourself, who’s further along? 

The person who shipped out 12 articles in 12 weeks with only 2 to 4 of them being a hit?

Or the person who hasn’t shipped their masterpiece because they’re worried about being judged or feel insecure because they’re not the ‘best’ yet.

What my 20 years of experience taught me

There are a few key lessons on fear and failure that I’ve taken away from my career thus far. They include the following:

1. Ship your work, but make sure it’s authentic. 

Stop trying to be like everyone else. Art is subject to interpretation. People often flop before you ever hear about them. Even though they flopped, they never quit. Failing is how you learn and it’s where you’ll learn the most. 

2. The worst-case scenario isn’t that bad.

If you’re getting started, your audience probably isn’t big. If you flop, not too many people will notice. But, what’ve you gained is experience. And now you have an idea of how to pivot differently. 

3. It gets easier over time.

This is especially true after you’ve failed a few times. Because of your so-called ‘failure,’ you realize nothing bad actually happens. When you start to develop this process mindset, you’ll look at things objectively.  

4. Haters come with the territory.

Those who haven’t done what you’re doing, think they can do it better than you. But, how could they? They’re sitting on the sidelines, not taking action and simply hating on you.

Don’t let these types of people interfere with your talents, gifts, and creativity. Haters are always going to hate and they’ll always be around, but the more haters the better. It means you’re doing something right.

What is failure, really?

After 20 years in the game and going into a decade of owning a personal training studio, I’ve learned that failure is not your enemy — it’s your friend.

Although we live in a social media world where success is viewed as ‘likes’ or ‘shares’ that doesn’t mean a ‘like’ measures your long-term success. Nor does it measure the influence you have on the people you want to reach.

The more you stay authentic, the more impact your work has. And the more enjoyment you get out of the process.

Final thoughts

Here’s a summary of what I’ve learned over the past two decades. 

  • A bad piece of work is not that bad. It equals a lesson, and it helps you move through the fear of failure. 
  • Some of your best work might not be well received. But, some of your other work could be a huge success. That’s because someone needed to hear what you had to say at the exact moment you put your work out there.
  • If you love the game you’re playing, you will “win” eventually. You’ve already won compared to the person sitting on the fence.

Are you a personal trainer looking to connect? Need advice when it comes to advancing your career? Let us know how we can help. Call or text us at 757-589-7028. Or send an email to [email protected].

How to Play the Long Game, Or Better Yet The Infinite Game in Your Personal Training Career

 

Are you playing a long game with your personal training career or business? Or will you fall for the traps that will end your career or shut your business down in the first 3 to 5 years, if not sooner?

 

As a personal trainer and business owner with 20 years of experience, I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. Although these last two decades came and went faster than I could have imagined — they taught me how to have a successful career in fitness.

 

A great book I came across recently, called the “Infinite Game” made me reflect back on my career and helped put some things into perspective. While reading the book, I realized I can use my experiences, both positive and negative, to help the next generation of trainers or personal trainers who run businesses.   

 

If you want to be in this industry for the long haul, you’ll need to play an Infinite Game. To do that, you’ll need to learn and develop the following five traits as outlined in the book. 

 

1. Just cause

This is not the same as your ‘why’. Your why comes from the past. Whereas having a just cause comes from a specific vision you have for the future, it doesn’t exist yet. But this vision you hold is your inspiration to stay focused. It’s bigger and more worthwhile than any small wins you might celebrate along the way.

 

Some attributes of this vision include:

  • Something positive and promising

  • Inclusive for all who want to participate

  • Service orientated and beneficial to others

  • Can endure unforeseen advances and changes 

  • Idealistic, big, and bold

 

Only the coaches and businesses who stand for something will last. The ones who make money their only goal, will likely fail. 

 

Let’s take a perfect and relevant example — COVID and the resulting pandemic.

 

You might have taken the important and necessary steps like getting your certification, a job, made some money and earned a little recognition. But when something like the magnitude of COVID hits, what now? 

 

Without a long term vision or having a just cause, none of the finite stuff holds up. Your vision and cause will give you the strength to endure a lot. And going through a lot teaches and prepares you to get what you want.  

 

For me, my ‘why’ is multi-layered. It goes far beyond the desire to teach someone how to squat. I want to have a lasting effect on someone’s quality of life. To help give them more active years, to make it easier for them to play with their grandkids, or help improve their mobility and strength so they can go on that trip of a lifetime.

 

Also, it’s important for me to develop good trainers into great ones, those who need the right guidance in order to break through. In short, my cause is about changing lives. 

 

2. Trusting teams

Anyone who’s successful in this industry rarely did it alone. Most have mentors, a strong network, and possibly a team of staff members who contributed to the long-term success of these trainers, coaches, and business owners. This network might also include family members, friends, a spouse, or partner.

 

The reason these key people played a part in the individual’s success has a lot to do with trust.

 

Working well together is one thing, but having a group of people who trust each other — mentally and emotionally — is something else entirely. This is a vital part of the long term success equation.

 

Also, your team has to be on board with your cause. If that changes slightly down the road, it’s important that your team can roll with it and adapt. Otherwise, a change in your team might be necessary.

 

3. Worthy rivals

Stop viewing the competition as people you need to beat. Instead view them as worthy rivals who can teach you how to be better, in a business and personal sense. Those who are a step ahead and reached the ‘next level’ of success could help you grow and evolve. They might push you to be the best version of yourself.

 

Know that these people are more like you than you think. They were likely in your shoes at some point. Take that as encouragement and motivation to get you to your next level of success, in whatever form that takes.

 

Also, it’s critical to be around people who think big. Those who understand that no dream is unattainable. They know how to hold a vision in their mind until it becomes reality. These people are rarely negative. Instead, they focus many of their thoughts and attention on staying positive. 

 

I’m definitely a competitive guy, which has helped and hurt me. And let’s be honest, there’s a lot of competition in this field. At first, you might beat out most people just by showing up consistently and outworking them. But then you get to a point where working smarter, not just harder will benefit you more.

 

So, I challenge you to think bigger and reach out to the top people in the industry. The ones that motivate you and stretch you. You’ll find that most are willing to help you get to where you want to be. Even if some aren’t eager to help, don’t let that derail you.

 

Stay focused on your mission and work with those who will help. In time, you’ll find your niche and realize there’s no ‘real’ competition other than yourself.

 

4. Existential flexibility

This term refers to extreme adaptability and a love for change. An infinite minded person who demonstrates existential flexibility is someone who welcomes challenges, even in the most intense form. Real coaches live for this.

 

It might sound strange, but I got excited when COVID hit. Not because of the threat it posed to people. But in the way, it disrupted my current reality by presenting an extremely difficult set of circumstances. In other words, I perform well under pressure and never step down from a challenge. Also, I never see a situation as ‘game over’ because I’m a process minded person. 

 

Even more, I’ve been part of this game long enough to know that some people will flat out fold during tough times. And this has nothing to do with finances, but everything to do with a lack of love for the game. So, to embody this trait you need a strong love for what you do, which will give you the strength to come out on the other side. 

 

5. A courage to lead 

When you’re working with an infinite mindset you’ll have the courage to change your perception of how the world works, which will give you the courage to lead. Being open-minded is key. How you see the world now will likely change in the next 1, 3, 5 years, and beyond. The change in your outlook and views will help you adapt to the changes in competition and advances. If not, you’ll be out of a business. 

 

I see the world much differently now than I did 20 years ago and in the subsequent years since. If you don’t evolve and accept that things will change, then you won’t be a respected leader. Or a leader of any kind.

 

Final thoughts

To survive the long game, take note of these five traits for success and work on developing a specific skill set. Based on my experience, I learned that some of the most valuable skills to have include patience, drive, and a strategic and future-oriented mindset. Take the longest path to success.

 

With my 5 to 10-year goals, I focus on the actions that will get me there. But, I often do things quickly with the understanding that failure is my biggest ally. This is something I know to be true because I’ve seen it happen time and time again over the last 20 years. Waiting for perfection is holding most of you back.

 

You might also be holding yourself back because you’re not where you want to be yet. And those around you seem to have it all. The ‘superstar trainers’ might be a leg or two up on you, but if you commit to playing an infinite game, you will pass them, guaranteed.

 

What is Detric up to?

DETRIC SMITH | WEEKLY WRAPUP

02.11.2021

Detric’s Weekly Wrap Up

 Excited to be mentor for AFS!

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Every week I learn something new, or I encounter a situation from which I learn from at Results Performance Training.

And rather than keep this to myself, I’ll share my thoughts with you so you can become a better trainer, run your business more efficiently, or reach your fitness goals. Here’s my thoughts for this week.

Stuff I’m Featured In

PERSONAL TRAINING SALES – Sadly , some of the best trainers hate to discuss sales. It seems like most of the “best” fitness salespeople know nothing about how to help people reach their fitness goals. Check out this article I wrote for STACK about the mindset you need to sell personal training.



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Honored to be a mentor through AFS! Check out this organization  if you are interested in understanding the business side of fitness!



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What I’m Reading……

C words of dieting feature image for blog

A great short post about the ‘c’ words of diet culture that are embedded in your client’s brain.



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A lot of clients have trouble exercising when they are not with us. This article goes into 5 ways to keep your clients on the straight and narrow.



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A Look Back on the Most Invaluable, Life-Changing Lessons During COVID-19

There are times in life that feel heavy and dark. But, we always make it through. Then there are unprecedented times full of unknowns, which is our current reality because of COVID. It’s an entirely new and different beast.  

Navigating through this has been challenging and excruciating at times. Because of it, I’ve learned that certain things are completely out of my control. When I made peace with this fact, my stress began to subside.

And although COVID isn’t over and the pandemic’s still affecting many around the world, I’ve learned so much from this time. I’ve grown as a business owner and personal trainer, and I’m still standing and going strong. 

Now is the perfect time to reflect on and share 8 lessons I learned during the COVID shutdown and the slow return back to the new ‘normal’.

1. The importance of gratitude

Gratitude is like a superpower. The more grateful you are, the happier you become and the better you feel. When you’re not in a state of gratitude, you may become fearful, depressed, and quickly enter victimhood. This is a place of disempowerment. When you’re dealing with the unknown, like COVID, that’s not a position you want to be in. 

To step back into your power, write down 3 to 5 things you’re grateful for every morning. Say them out loud over and over until a smile appears on your face.

I’m thankful that my fitness business is still successful even with the COVID crisis. Not everyone has been as fortunate. Some people lost everything. When I’m feeling down or frustrated, I shift my mindset and think about everything in my life I’m grateful for.

I think this mindset is one of the main reasons my business persevered.

2. There’s more than one way to make money

Don’t get married to how you make your money. And don’t get stuck in the limited belief that money is hard to come by. When you get creative and think outside the box, you’ll realize there are lots of ways to make money in the fitness industry.

For starters, there’s online one-on-one coaching, virtual group training sessions, paid writing gigs, affiliate marketing, teaching opportunities, and more.

Focus your attention on making money, instead of fearing the lack of money. This is a basic principle of the Law of Attraction. Ask for what you want and it will come. Ask for what you don’t want and that will also come. You get to choose.

3. Let go of the “old, comfortable way” and learn to adapt

The key phrase here is “let go.” Release your attachment to the old way, to the way you’ve always done things. And adapt to the changing environment around you. If this pandemic taught us anything, it taught us how to be resilient and adaptable in the face of adversity. Extreme adversity I might add. 

So, if your regular clients are Baby Boomers and don’t like training online, be okay with that and understand where they’re coming from. Pivot and adapt. Make adjustments to stay in business.

Making money keeps you in the game for the long run. And not only you but everyone down the road who stands to benefit from your expertise and services. 

When we switched to virtual sessions, we noticed our senior clients dropped out at a higher rate. So, we focused our marketing efforts on young athletes to help make up the difference in income. We also transitioned to more one-on-one and semi-private options. 

4. Become more open-minded

I never saw myself giving live coaching sessions online, but I adjusted and enjoyed being at my gym while coaching virtually. It gave me more energy to focus on expanding my leadership and personal training skills. And more energy to attack different revenue sources with my writing and coaching other trainers.

Instead of hating the idea of coaching virtually, I chose to see the positive in it. And from that mindset, I attracted people I wanted to work with. In other words, I changed my perception of virtual fitness training and found a way to make it work for me.

5. Never underestimate the power of your network

A network isn’t just useful and practical — it’s necessary for success. And in the case of a global pandemic, it was necessary for survival. I was fortunate to have established a stable and powerful network long before I actually needed it.

So, it was easy to ask for help and to help others in my network. Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done without my network of fit pros who were also going through the same thing.

If you ever questioned your network before, this time probably helped you see who was on your side and who wasn’t. When your network is defined by a healthy, team-spirited culture, they’ll always support you, even through difficult times.

And if there’s any negativity in your group, you’ll see that very clearly. And your inner guidance system will tell you to part ways with the people who don’t have your best interest at heart. 

As a takeaway, make it a point to develop meaningful connections — one’s that last. One’s that stand the test of time. Not only for your sake but for their benefit as well. We’re stronger together, as you know.

6. Study your numbers and track them close

It’s not always about how much you make, it’s also how much you keep. Make your money work for you. Get better with money management if that’s something you struggle with

There are tons of great online resources and books on the subject of finances. Spend some of your downtime learning and soon enough you’ll be more confident in this area. Also, be sure to have great bookkeepers and accountants on your team.

These important financial steps and decisions can end up saving your business — literally.

7. Ground yourself before making quick decisions

Before making an irrational decision from a place of emotional duress, stop and take a breath. In fact, take several of them. You don’t always have to make decisions at the drop of a dime. You often have more time than you think.

Spend time grounding yourself before making an impulsive or costly decision. This doesn’t have to take days, this can happen in as little as 20 to 30 minutes. 

Go for a walk alone, step your feet onto the grass, feel the connection of the earth. And don’t forget to take breaths, pray if you want to. Having a quiet, uninterrupted moment where you’re breathing slowly and calmly will end up providing you the best insights. 

Coming from a calm, grounded place helped me make decisions fast when I needed to. Like taking the steps to move our training sessions to a virtual platform, which enabled us to maintain our members. 

8. Remember your ‘why’

Why did you start your own gym? What was your main inspiration and driving force behind it all? Now, get back to that.

Remembering why you got into this industry in the first place will bring back a flood of good memories. Such as your love for fitness, your passion for serving others. And your calling to bring joy and health into the lives of those who step foot into your gym.

Your ‘why’ is powerful. It’s going to help you get out of any bind and jump over any hurdle. You got this

    How to Prevent Burnout When You Own and Manage a Personal Training Studio


    Running a fitness business is highly rewarding and exciting, yet it can also be challenging and take its toll on you. Getting breaks are few and far in between, especially when you have less staff and trainers due to COVID. 

    This is when burnout can start to creep in. We’ve all been there. I know I have. And I learned that I needed to switch things up.

    So, that’s what I did. Taking time out for myself became a huge priority. Also, this brush with burnout taught me a lot of valuable lessons. This article will share many of them and hopefully assist you in creating your own ‘burnout prevention plan’.

    Ways to prevent burnout

    When you have a mentally and physically demanding job and are on your feet a lot, and wearing dozens of hats, like us personal trainers — it’s necessary to manage your energy and expectations. After 20 years in this industry, I understand that burnout is real and that it can happen to any of us.

    Based on my personal experience and getting through that difficult time, I want to share some tips with you.

    Become a master of your schedule

    Setting up a detailed schedule can help you stay centered and focused. Also, seeing a visual layout of your day can assist in optimal time management. When your day or week is mapped out, there are fewer surprises. And when there are fewer surprises, there’s less worry and stress in your day.

    Furthermore, the mind likes structure and routine. It doesn’t need every second mapped out, but general structure. This takes the mind away from stressing about the unknown and instead can work from a concrete timetable.   

    Moreover, carve out some time in your calendar for you! Get that ‘me time’ in. Even if you’re in startup mode, or carrying more of the weight because of COVID challenges, still find time for yourself.

    The mistake I made was to push and push and push some more. But, this led to burnout. It took that experience to learn what not to do going forward. Burning out sucks and it can severely impact your business.

    In short, members come to you for more than a workout. When you’re stress-free and mentally calm you can give them a positive experience and make them members for life. But, it’s all about the long-run. Pushing too hard for short term success can lead to serious burnout.

    Make time for your own workouts

    Whether you spend more time managing the business from the office or work with clients most of the day, it’s crucial to get your personal workouts in. Use the schedule you’ve created and find a pocket of time that works best for you. Maybe the early morning is open, or the mid-afternoon.

    We all know this, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get it done. Particularly for us seasoned trainers who have some minor injuries from decades of training. The key is to find balance with your training. And it’s even more crucial to find this balance when you’re pulling off most of the sessions yourself when staffing is limited.

    If you’re struggling to get your workout in, it might be easier to do it in a different place. A new atmosphere or setting away from your gym. Try to make it a priority because this is your time to relieve any accumulated stress you’ve built up.

    As you know, exercise releases endorphins, which have many benefits like creating positive feelings and general happiness. You’re great at encouraging your clients with their fitness goals, so give yourself that same support and encouragement to get your workouts in.

    Ask your colleagues for support

    This is key! Getting support and guidance from close friends and colleagues is incredibly powerful. However, it’s not always easy to ask for it. Many of us learn from a young age that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But, it’s actually a sign of strength. It takes a lot of courage, but the reward is high.

    We’re not meant to do everything alone. When we’re short on trainers or have specific business demands, having someone who’s there for us can make all the difference. So, call up a friend, find a coach or mentor, arrange a lunch meeting, or schedule a workout together and relieve some of your stress and concerns.

    Something as ‘simple’ as this can help you avoid and prevent burnout. When we had to shut down due to COVID, I had multiple people in the industry help us transition to virtual and bounce ideas off of.

    Prioritize your sleep

    Without restful sleep, you’re not allowing your body to restore, reset, and recover. Also, lack of sleep can affect your adrenals and nervous system, which can lead to anxiousness, fatigue, and overwhelm.

    So, do your best to get consistent sleep because it’s honestly one of the best medicines out there. And it won’t cost you a thing. Speaking from experience, I was part of the culture that traded hours of sleep for work. But that always backfires.

    Get as much sleep as you can, so you’ll have more energy during work. You’ll be able to get more done this way and serve your clients better. In this industry, you’re interacting with people all day. Staying sharp is a necessity for your success.

    Take a break from your phone 

    After a long day running your business, motivating, and training clients, you may feel the need to be on your phone. To catch up on emails, texts, social media messages, or anything else your phone requires of you.

    If you own a business, do yourself a favor and get a phone strictly for business. Having the same number for personal and business matters can be difficult and cause unnecessary stress.

    Also, try to make your downtime real downtime. Put your phone in another room if need be, or turn it off. Your brain needs a break. It’s not meant to be staring or working on screens often. This can affect your circadian rhythm, which then impacts your ability to get restful, deep, restorative sleep.

    Final points on how to deal with burnout 

    If you burnout as a business owner and don’t have a business partner to back you up, what then? Who will run your gym for you?

    To prevent burnout from happening in the first place, it’s essential to take preventative and proactive measures, rather than being reactive. By implementing the tips mentioned, you’re keeping your daily health needs in check. And from that place of empowerment and vitality, burnout is less likely to occur.


      5 Underrated Pieces of Equipment Every PT Should Have

      Look, I am not here to say that the classic barbell and rack combo is not effective – but as trainers, we do need to look at the bigger picture. 

       

      Lot’s of clients can get bored with the same traditional barbell training programs. Lots of clients might feel apprehensive about using heavy dumbbells or training with typical resistance machines like leg press or bench press. 

       

      We need to appeal to all types of clients. On any given day your clients should walk into the gym feeling comfortable, and leave feeling successful. Sometimes this means using alternative exercise equipment. 

       

      5 Pieces of Equipment Every Trainer Should Use

      1. NT Loop

      The NT loop is not your standard resistance band. While it may look the same, the NT loop has much more functionality and allows trainers to balance their client’s hip movements. 

       

      Movements like squats, deadlifts and hinges train the hip extensors but do not balance the mobility or strength required for optimal performance. 

       

      We must remember that the most powerful movement starts by generating force from the hips. 

       

      The NT loop is essential when training performance-based clients like football players, basketball players and general clients alike. 

       

      2. Landmine

      The landmine is a super valuable tool that allows you to load on weight and use a lever class to your advantage. Great for super setting, and also very functional in rotation exercises and explosive exercises, the landmine affords trainers with an area for performing many exercises with very little space. 

       

      3. InertiaWave

      While this tool may look like your run-of-the-mill battle rope, InertiaWave is very different. While standard battle ropes are dead weight, the Inertiawave uses the law of inertia to its advantage. 

       

      Through simple movements up and down or side to side, the inertia wave helps to train core stability and postural strength through various isometric lower body holds. 

       

      The variability is endless and this tool provides a very effective low-impact method for training the core.

       

      4. SlideBoard

      The SlideBoard is not just for hockey players. While this tool can certainly be used to injury prevention (especially in the knee), the Slideboard is also a great tool to help add variability to a client’s exercise routine. 

       

      Slide board exercises allow for lateral movement, which can best engage the major muscle groups that make up your core and provide stability and balance for your body. The SlideBoard is a great tool for all client levels. 

       

      5. SandBag

      Sometimes the classic deadweight is a must for exercise programs. Grab yourself a heavy sandbag and the world is yours. Push, pull, balance, jump – any movement can be done while holding or throwing a sandbag. 

       

      Rogue makes some top-notch sandbags that won’t spill all over your gym so be sure to pick up a quality product. 

       

      Why Use Alternative Equipment?

      As stated before, some routine exercises can become a little boring. Your name of the game in the PT world should be to have clients finding success but also enjoying the process. 

       

      Yes, standard barbell work is your baseline and should be used on a regular basis when trying to improve strength and conditioning – but other tools, like the ones above, can add variability into your routine and keep your clients guessing. 

       

      Don’t forget: Always be sure to provide very detailed exercise cues when putting a client onto a new exercise routine and ask them if they are comfortable with the new training tools. 

       

      Did I miss any underrated exercise equipment? 

       

      Feel free to drop me a line using the contact form and I will write more content to help trainers retain more clients and find success in the personal training world. 



      5 program design tricks that work

      As career trainers, we all gather a few best practices as we go along. Whether it’s learning from your peers, attending a conference, or basic trial and error, you’ve definitely picked up a thing or two that’s made your coaching better. But what about program design? 

      You could come up with the best program on paper, but on the gym floor it’s a different story. What if your client decides to skip every third session? What if they struggle getting up off of the floor? Surprises happen to the best of us. So rather than send you to the drawing board solo, I’ve collected five program design tricks for you that actually work. 

      Program design trick #1: Make their first session success a priority

      I know you’ve put together a weight loss program that’s battle-tested to drop pounds and increase mobility. And it will – if you can keep them around. 

      The first session for clients is terrifying. They probably don’t like exercise, or at least don’t have positive associations with the gym. Your primary job during that first session is to encourage and keep them safe. Keep them moving enough so they break a little sweat, sure. But try not to absolutely destroy them, and guide them through progressions they can do comfortably.

      Program design trick #2: Fit each individual session into the big picture

      A session is only good if it fits in the big picture. What are their long-term goals? Nothing occurs overnight – not pain relief, longevity or wellness, weight loss, strength, nor muscle mass. Find the lead domino and keep the focus there. 

      It might not even be gym-related. Your crazy hard session might actually be detrimental to their stress-management, diet, or sleep. It could cause them to have a crappy week, fall back on old comforts, and skip out on the next session. Instead, when designing a program, make sure sessions build upon each other over the course of weeks, months, and years.

      Program design trick #3 – Say one thing, make sure they get it, then move on 

      The amount you have to cue directly relates to exercise selection. Of course, you’re going to correct a thing or two with each new movement. But if you see way too many things to correct, you probably chose the wrong exercise in the first place. Don’t be afraid to regress and reassess just because you wrote something else down. Coaching involves a delicate balance of guidance and exploration. You’ve only got an hour or so with them. How can you keep them safe, challenged, and moving throughout? Spending 30 minutes cueing and correcting isn’t it. 

      Program design trick #4 – Avoid treating your clients’ programs as a mirror

      As trainers, we have to realize we’re at a different level than most. Our lives are spent in a gym, so 25 sets of eight different lower body movements might be a normal Tuesday. For them, however, 3-4 sets of one leg exercise equals barely being able to walk. Think of your clients’ activity level and lifestyle, and work up from there. If they’ve sat around for most of their lives, any movement will be taxing. Of course, as they get fitter or their goals change, you can adapt their programming. But don’t train yourself – train your clients. 

      Program design trick #5 – Keep the goal the goal

      That being said, soreness might not even indicate progress. It might mean you’re building up their strength when they really just want to lose a few pounds. Novel exercises will cause soreness. Eccentric movements will leave them aching for days. They might “feel” it, but are your tempo rear-foot elevated goblet squats really helping them lose fat?

      Whatever their goal is, program around that. Sure, we all want our clients to move better. We all know the benefits of corrective exercise. Pepper those in here and there to keep them healthy, but don’t lose sight of the real goal. Clients don’t care if their lower traps are firing. If they aren’t seeing the results they want, they won’t come back, and you lose the opportunity to truly help someone. 

       

      Detric Smith, NSCA CSCS, ACSM EP-C, Pn-1 is the owner of Results Performance Training (www.resultsperformancetraining.com) in Williamsburg, VA. He has a BS in Kinesiology from Virginia Commonwealth University and specializes in Sports Performance Training and Fat Loss Transformations. For over 15 years he has gained experience at various sports performance centers and personal training studios, as well as coaching and teaching physical education from elementary school to high school.  

       

      3 ways to fix your group sessions

      I do a lot of group and semi-private training, and it’s come to my attention that a few tweaks go a long way. In an industry that’s increasingly leaving the “personal” out of personal training, good coaches are doing the opposite. Injecting individual attention back into group sessions fosters accelerated results. You’re happier, the clients are happier, and the entire team benefits off of that success. 

      Some of these tricks are so simple, they take almost no time at all. To get started, here are three quick tips to fix your group sessions right now.

      Tip #1: Don’t let other members become the personal trainer

      In every group class, there’s that well-intentioned veteran who wants to help out. They’ve been around this class for years, and see a first-timer struggling. While it’s great to encourage camaraderie, don’t let your members step in to the role of a personal trainer. If they have to, you’re probably overlooking something. 

      As the coach, you need command of the room. Not only for safety and efficiency, but to send a consistent message. You give the tips you give for a reason. If John or Susan steps in with their two (or fifty) cents every time, that poor first-timer becomes overwhelmed. They’re too busy thinking about avoiding embarrassment than actually working out. 

      As a trainer, you know whether or not that slight shift in toe angle will really affect their session. Encourage community, but talk to your vets ahead of time about limiting the noise. Let them know a streamlined message from you is the best way to get everyone working hard, and they’re welcome to encourage all they want.

      Tip #2: Adopt multiple coaching styles

      One coach serving multiple people means you’re going to need a few hats. Not only will experience across the room vary, but so will personality type. A loud energetic approach might turn some people off, but others feed off of that vibe. So how do you know? During the session, pick up on body language and have a grasp of which times are more intense. You can also actually talk to them. Ask them how they feel. Do they want more of a drill sergeant approach? Or do they need reassurance and a soft hand? Work on your emotional and energetic agility to rotate from instructor to cheerleader, and back again. You’ll get more out of your clients, and you’ll become a better coach.

      Tip #3: Ask more questions

      I don’t know why this imaginary veil exists between the front of the room and group classes. Plenty of group sessions operate with one-way communication. It’s instruction, not conversation, and members just get on with it. Which means they probably aren’t telling you if something hurts. 

      If you don’t ask them “does this bother you?”, they’ll remain silent. Both due to that imaginary wall and a desire to seem tough amongst their peers. No one wants to offer up the fact that they’re struggling. But it’s your duty to keep them safe, so ask! Chances are, there’s more than one person going through the same thing. You’ll help them avoid injury and get a better workout at the same time. And that’s a win-win for all. 

       

      Detric Smith, NSCA CSCS, ACSM EP-C, Pn-1 is the owner of Results Performance Training (www.resultsperformancetraining.com) in Williamsburg, VA. He has a BS in Kinesiology from Virginia Commonwealth University and specializes in Sports Performance Training and Fat Loss Transformations. For over 15 years he has gained experience at various sports performance centers and personal training studios, as well as coaching and teaching physical education from elementary school to high school.