What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Prices may vary based off work demands
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Step 1. Qualifying phone consult to determine if initial meeting is mutually agreeable.
Step 2. Meet and discuss all applicable goals and barriers.
Step 3. Provide a complimentary assessment, strategy and sample workout.
Step 4 Discuss scheduling, pricing and program that best meets customer needs and wants
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Many national certifications help via NASM, Apex, NCEP, ACE
Formal physical therapy schooling
Therapeutic massage therapy
Integrated Flexibility Specialist Corrective Exercise Specialist
Rolfing education
20 years training athletes, seniors, assisted living and people with significant multiple bone and organ diseases
Bodybuilding
Certified Nutritionist / Psychology of Weight Loss credentials
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I became interested in training and nutrition as a young teenager to fix my own physical ailments. That led me to more education and a strong and sincere desire to help others.
I have had a 20 year full-time career and will likely train the rest of my life.
What types of customers have you worked with?
JUST ABOUT EVERY COMBO POSSIBLE
Injured- Joint replacements, head to toe injuries chronic, blunt or repetitive stress (RSI)'s
Runners, Tennis, Golf, Biking, Hiking
Poor balance / gait / posture
Poor lifestyle patterns- diet / sleep / anxiety / sedentary
Obese / Underweight
Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Diabetes, MS, Scoliosis & i.e.
Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?
I helped a woman that for about 18 months that was over weight , weakened to a back injury, get back to better shape so she could hike again with out pain.
I also helped with her posture, back strains, conditioned her whole body including diet and cardiovascular system in varied ways so she didn't get bored and could sustain sedentary job.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Hiring a trainer can cost you a lot of money, time, injure you, bore you, give you unsubstantiated advice and make you ultimately give up.
Ask many, many questions and do a trial for a couple hours. I find people often don't know what relevant questions to ask and end up going with their gut and regret later.
Ask for past evidence, valid certifications, how he or she will coach you when you put up a challenge physically or mentally.
I have hired dozens of different types doctors, trainers and therapists. I always try at least 3 if I don't know the particular field well.
Don't just pick someone because a friend referred you or the price fits your budget. The cost someone charges you may have nothing to do with quality.
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
How long has he or she been in the industry? Experience in personal training is great and in-valuable but what particular experience does he or she have that is relevant to your goal and barrier is extremely important. Trainers have tremendously different backgrounds in personality type, education, emphasis and experience.
I often see prospects pick trainers that are not qualified to tackle ones true cause and needs and gets less results than one could have if he or she would have done a more thorough interview process.