Are you looking for a new training coach? Let me give you a few things to consider when beginning your search. If you are a trainer and reading this...take notes.

#1: The best trainers perform thorough assessments when working with new clients before doing anything else.This means movement screens and basic performance tests. This also means identifying the client’s current food intake and assessing lifestyle variables, including schedule, primary complaints, current level of social support, willingness to change, and more.

#2: Clients are spending big bucks to get into shape. Often as much as five or ten thousand dollars. And if a trainer can get them into shape, they are worth every single penny. The greatest evidence of a trainer's value is found in their client record books.

That’s why the best trainers do the following:

• track client adherence
• log how their clients’ bodies are changing and over what time period
• record performance and lifestyle changes
• keep photo albums with before and after photos
• highlight before and after photos, body composition change data, and testimonials; and show this book to all prospective clients.

#3: The best trainers are lifelong learners. We all know how the fitness industry is riddled with weekend certifications and nutrition courses. High quality certifications and internships with the top coaches in the field are not easy to come by and they are often not cheap. But elite fitness pros find a way to get the best training anyway. Clients can recognize this. Knowing your trainer is worth every dollar they charge is priceless.


#4: The best trainers practice what they preach. Would you trust a realtor who’s never owned a home? How about a broke financial planner? Probably not. So why would anyone hire an out-of-shape trainer? Now, don’t get me wrong. Top trainers don’t have to look like fitness models or bodybuilders. However, they do have to live the kind of lifestyle they preach to their clients. They should have a little more muscle, a little less fat, and a better health profile than the average person. This is powerful evidence that they know both how the body works (exercise/nutrition physiology) and how the mind works (change psychology).

#5: The best trainers reward behavior, not outcome. For instance:
“I need to lose 10 pounds” is an outcome. “I need to exercise five times per week” is a behavior.

The outcome is the trainer's responsibility and the behavior is the responsibility of the client. Your trainer is good when he/she rewards you for following last week’s habits 90% of the time and didn’t miss any workouts regardless of the outcome — because it’s this pattern of behavior that will eventually lead to success. So, instead of setting outcome goals, your trainer should set behavior goals.

#6: The best trainers measure everything worth measuring. Clients want to achieve something measurable. Good trainers will monitor and record performance variables like sets, reps, and rest intervals. They’ll monitor nutrition habit and behavior compliance. They’ll monitor workout attendance. They’ll monitor body composition. They’ll take pictures.

#7: The best trainers are well-trained and adaptable. They’re able to produce results in every type of client. From 18 year old guys, to 65 year old women, from level 1 beginners, to level 3 pros...they can do it all. That makes them indispensable. (And in demand.)

#8: The best trainers offer integrated nutrition and training solutions as part of their programing. They oversee exercise programming. They coach the movements. They provide motivation. They also schedule private nutrition sessions. They assess nutritional intake and compliance regularly. They show their clients around the grocery store, and encourage them to prepare and cook their food.

#9: The best trainers care about their clients. It is every trainer's responsibility to help every person that comes to see them. And that means actually caring about that person and doing whatever it takes to help them make improvements in their body – and their life.

#10: The best trainers read more than just training books. Trainers also need to read about other things as well. Learning about the psychology of change is a significant part of being a good trainer.