Article on Online PT

[Steve]

My take:

I agree with much of what he says. There are a great number of people whom would benefit greatly from a one time fee. I've said before on the web that I could tell someone what to do in one email and it would lead to results month on end if consistently followed and applied.

At the same time, there are a great number of people that will only follow and apply the right principles IF they are paying for it.

I think it's the trainers responsibility to be honest with him/herself and his/her client. What does this person need from me? Is it monthly service? Is it a one time program design fee?

Some people are just "lazy" when it comes to their training/dietary programs. Or, they are too busy that they can't afford the time to structure a quality program. When this is the case, paying a trainer monthly to tweak dietary schedules becomes worthwhile to the client.

I think Matt (author of the article) would argue that, "Geez, set them up with a baseline diet and if they aren't getting the results they had hoped, simply modify caloric intake." "In the initial outline you lay out for the client, explain how to modify calories, macros, etc.)

Problem is: Most people wouldn't understand or know HOW to make the necessary modifications once it comes down to selecting food and quantity. Even though from the trainer's perspective.... these modifications are very simple.

The lack of progress some would experience from the baseline suggestion would be enough to throw SOME clients off track forever.

If you are that type of person, then you would benefit from a trainer.... online or not.

All in all though, I think this is a another good article from Matt.

 

[maleficent]

Secondly, if you're a raw beginner, how am I going to coach you on exercise form? I'm not going to try to teach you to squat on the Internet. I can give you cues, I can give you feedback assuming you can take videos, but I cannot coach you the way I could in person. A program is of little use to you if you can't even do it.

Now, if you do have a background and can do these exercises (properly! No damn knee-bend squats, I'm talking full depth stuff), then having a program designed can be of some value.

Amen to that...

What is important is your attitude. It's your ability to actually go to the gym, to work your ass off while you're there, and to stick to your diet.

my ability to stick to my non-diet has never been issue -when you have trouble with 'simple' things - then having having a good attitude goes down the toilet pretty quickly...

Interestig read though...

 

[Steve]

my ability to stick to my non-diet has never been issue

His article was more in terms of training, than diet. I know Matt as a trainer and he gives very generic nutritional recommendations.... much like those you see me give here.

-when you have trouble with 'simple' things - then having having a good attitude goes down the toilet pretty quickly...

If they were 'simple' you'd be able to do them. Simple is such a relative term and allowing your scale of simplicity to coincide with other's scale only leads to frustration.

 

[Trevor M.]

Know What I mean?

Ahh, Thanks Male!

I'm rarely questioned here.

I feel the same over at T.F. Maybe it is because of the long green bar or maybe they have read previous post of mine and are making an educated decision on how much they can "trust" my advise. However, I can not deny that the fact I have a large amount of rep there helps. Especially considering I do not have those little abbreviations under my name (YET) like others do...

In situations where someone comes asking about stuff that their Pt or even Dr. told them. If I believe it to be wrong I generally have to "prove" I'm right. So, the matter of the "authority figure" comes into play as well.

 

[maleficent]

Especially considering I do not have those little abbreviations under my name (YET) like others do...

abbreviations after a name are meaningless... i think most people do realize that - anyone can study for and take a test.. it's real world knowledge that counts...
]

 

[Steve]

I disagree....

the advice might not be questioned 100 percent - but it's often ignored. you've seen for yourself how many wanna be experts find thier way in the front door - not many of them stick around because they can't take the heat...

That's their initiation. Prove you know your stuff and then you can stick around and "preach" all you want.

 

[Steve]

Ahh, Thanks Male!


I feel the same over at T.F. Maybe it is because of the long green bar or maybe they have read previous post of mine and are making an educated decision on how much they can "trust" my advise. However, I can not deny that the fact I have a large amount of rep there helps. Especially considering I do not have those little abbreviations under my name (YET) like others do...

In situations where someone comes asking about stuff that their Pt or even Dr. told them. If I believe it to be wrong I generally have to "prove" I'm right. So, the matter of the "authority figure" comes into play as well.

I squash anyone whom tries to appeal to authority. I hate such fallacious reasoning.

Again, information should speak for itself.

Not rep, position, and CERTAINLY not credentials.

That's why you'll never see me put any abbreviations after my name except my business card.

 

[Trevor M.]

I squash anyone whom tries to appeal to authority. I hate such fallacious reasoning.

Again, information should speak for itself.

Not rep, position, and CERTAINLY not credentials.

That's why you'll never see me put any abbreviations after my name except my business card.

So do you think people shouldn't post their Abbreviations?

 

[Steve]

So do you think people shouldn't post their Abbreviations?

Oh they can. I just don't like the idea of people buying into someone's knowledge based on a few degrees/certs.

All I've been saying is I've always been of the like where I let words speak louder than anything else. That's it.

 

[Trevor M.]

Oh they can. I just don't like the idea of people buying into someone's knowledge based on a few degrees/certs.

All I've been saying is I've always been of the like where I let words speak louder than anything else. That's it.

True, But at the same time I can understand why someone would want to post their Creds. However, If someone believes someone els because of some abbreviation then thats there own fault for whatever comes of it.

 

[Steve]

True, But at the same time I can understand why someone would want to post their Creds.

Why?

I mean I agree, it let's the client know that they are working with someone competent.

But that proves the trainer is competent enough TO PASS a certification exam.

Big whoop.

Some of the best strength coaches I ever met never graduated college.

Some of the worst strength coaches I ever met were CSCS.

Does this minor bit of competence above and beyond that of the average joe give someone the right to call him/herself a trainer? Not by my standards.

It simply proves to me that the individual can read, comprehend, memorize, and think above and beyond that of our fellow primates.

Having the knowledge to pass an exam is one thing.

Having the knowledge to pass an exam, understand and apply current science, deduct right from wrong based on experience, and motivate multiple spectrums of people in order to improve their physiques, performance, etc is something totally different.

However, If someone believes someone els because of some abbreviation then thats there own fault for whatever comes of it.

Sadly, the industry is turning 2 fold:

1. Peers (fellow trainers) in the industry use their NSCA or ACSM cert to overpower other trainers with other certs and to prove their credibility.

Big freaking whoop.

I have my NSCA. I've been schooled by guys who didn't even graduate from college.

2. On the flip-side, you have clients only working with trainers who are "certified personal trainers" as if the certification proves anything above and beyond the basic comprehension of the test material, which they spoon feed you for the most part.

I'm not saying certifications are useless. At all, really. I'm saying people on both sides of the coin, trainers and clients, hold certifications in too high a regard.

I also feel that the "strictness" of this industry's entry is far too mediocre. This is a whole other can of worms that we don't need to get into.... but it does relate.

 

[Steve]

This entire discussion on PT should be moved to the recent article I posted written by Mathew Perryman concerning online PTs and out of this sticky.

 

[maleficent]

I can do that...

 

[Steve]

Thanks Mal, you be da best.