I saw a funny sight today as I was going for my morning run through Westerfolds Park. I was running the single trail next to the river but I could see up ahead on the bitumen trail a woman who looked close to 100kg on a bike barking out orders to some seriously struggling runners to keep going. I thought, hmm this is interesting. Is this the new fitness fad?

When I caught up to them, I saw the woman on the bike was a personal trainer from a well known outdoor fitness franchise. Now I have heard some good and some bad stories about this franchise but I’ll let you decide on this instance.

Now these people running were really struggling. They were going at a snail’s pace, very out of breath and with poor form that comes with doing something that is currently beyond them. I don’t know how far they had been going, but it looked like they had done the whole 5km loop of the park and were nearly back at their base. Most of them were not overweight. In fact most of them were much smaller than their trainer and I’d be interested to see how the trainer could run if she got off her bike.

I was taken aback though. I mean, it’s ok to be big when the bulk is muscle and not fat. And it’s perfectly ok to be a personal trainer of any size, but if a trainer is telling their clients not to eat junk food and to push themselves hard, I think the trainer needs to look like they do the same.

It’s a struggle for anyone to eat well 99% of the time and exercise regularly to a high standard. It can be hard to push yourself to be stronger, fitter and healthier. But if it’s your job to tell people to do that then it’s your job to be that. Walk the walk if you wanna talk the talk! Would this woman know what it’s like to give up chocolate? I can tell you I do! And I know it’s difficult to give up your favourite junk foods.

But what was she like as a trainer? Well let me tell you there were some people there that I just would not have running. With poor technique running is a pain in the joints. For people who are very out of shape, running is an advanced exercise. It is also a time consuming exercise and there are so many other things that could be done in that time to maximise the client’s ability to achieve their goals. I would recommend simple bodyweight exercises and some basic use of kettlebells and dumbbells. All these activities can be low impact while developing strength, lean muscle and cardiovascular fitness at a suitable level with room for increased intensity when the client is ready.

If you plan on getting a personal trainer, it’s important to make your goals clear. Do you want to get stronger? Do you want to lose weight? Bulk up? Reduce risk of heart disease? Take up triathlon? Beat diabetes? If your trainer is not able to help you achieve your goals, if they prescribe exercises that you are not capable of, if they cannot relate to you how they have achieved something, and how you can do it too, then perhaps it’s time to get a new trainer.

If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to ask. Take a look at my running blog to find out more about what I get up to. And drop me a line if you are interested in training with me, or even if you just have some things you want to know more about. I am more than happy to speak to you.

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