Starting a new job can be difficult in any field. You have to discover expectations of your bosses and learn how to work with your new team. Depending on your level in the company, you may come in with ideas from previous positions, and you may or may not be able to implement ideas that you saw work well.
In the gym, there are some really cool things that happen to new employers — especially with trainers. Great gyms push all employees to the limit, but not the same as trainers. I’m not a trainer, so I’m not biased for trainers. I’ve just witnessed some really cool training methods over the past few weeks.
When a trainer comes to work for the first time, they aren’t shown around the office and put behind a desk. They are paired up with another trainer that works one-on-one with clients. Many clubs I’ve interviewed have discussed the continued education trainers receive once they are hired. This is all good. However, watching trainers learn on the floor is a cool experience.
They stand close to watch how the advanced trainer works with the client. They see the proper way to interact and how to actually become a coach for the member.
Following the shadow of an advanced trainer, the new hire may meet up with another trainer for a training session. The advanced trainer, dressed in basic workout attire, talks with the new hire like a friend. They walk over to the training area chatting about the new job and ideas about training. Then, out of nowhere, the advanced trainer becomes ignorant to training methods, forcing the new hire to train them like they would an actual client.
The new hire has to pull out a mat, get down on the mat and demonstrate the workout he wants the advanced trainer to perform. The new hire may perform an abdominal exercise by lying on his back and lifting his legs higher for each set while moving them from side-to-side. The advanced trainer watched carefully, then gets on his back and begins the exercise.
The interesting aspect comes after the advanced trainer begins any exercise. At the beginning things may go well, but then the advanced trainer may forget a move in the exercise. What the advanced trainer forgets may be ever so slight, but it forces the new hire to focus on his client and discuss adjustments with the client.
What exactly happens if the trainer doesn’t notice? I’ve never seen the next step. If he doesn’t notice, is he fired, taken back to a class or just notified by the advanced trainer? The training seems detailed, but enjoyable as well. How does your club train its trainers?
Tyler Montgomery is the Editor of Club Solutions Magazine. Contact him at tyler@clubsolutionsmagazine.com
