The Snotty Instructor + A Few Other Tips About the Fitness Industry

Inspiration comes in many forms for me. Mostly from my students, clients and fellow fitness friends. I observe, listen, make mental notes in my head and of course will share my opinion at the drop of a hat if I’m allowed. I realize people don’t agree on everything, but I do know that if you don’t speak your mind and let people know how you feel about issues you really lose the option to be argumentative about it later.

Today’s inspiration came from a couple of sources: a regular student who takes classes from many yoga instructors at the gym and the lovely (all rules of sarcasm apply in the word lovely) gentleman who works out regularly in the weight room. Both of these circumstances had me frustrated and compelled to yell at the top of my lungs. Of course, I didn’t. I observed, listened and decided to blog my thoughts and share a few inside tips regarding fitness industry professionalism.

Teaching is an art!

Inspiration one-The Yoga Participant
Chatting up class today one of the participants shared her recent visit to a well-known San Fransisco yoga studio (which I will never speak highly of again after hearing her story). The instructor referred to her in the middle of class as the “person who needed more yoga training.” These are actually nicer words than she described to me. Additionally, this yoga teacher asked where the student was taking classes back home, then laughed when he found out! So yoga-like, too don’t you think? Pompous, rude, snotty, arrogant all come to mind when I even conceive the thought of this dear person being treated so unprofessionally by a so-called certified instructor. The thought of being so inconsiderate to a guest in my class is mind-numbing. This is absolutely not acceptable by any means! This just screams DIVA to me.

Inspiration two- The Weight Room Patron
I call him, “I wear my sunglasses man” because he wears his shades to work out in. Ridiculous because we don’t have a retractable roof, nor is the lighting all that bright. He has obviously dabbled in bodybuilding as he is built like one: shorter, packed on muscle, little body fat. Genetics, sport specific training and his diet keep him this way. Because he looks muscular people assume he has some knowledge about fitness and many will try to work out with him so they can look like him. He is not a certified fitness professional, he does not give proper advice and he practices OLD school training protocols. Nothing I’ve seen him do or offer to people remotely represents the fitness industry today. I won’t even go into detail about his narcissistic behaviors when it comes to utilizing the equipment and sharing space with others. Mr. “I wear my sunglasses at..” is a far cry from a trained professional, rather he plays one on TV with poor scripting.

So wear does all this inspiration lead me? Guidelines and tips of course on how to choose a properly trained fitness professional whether it be a group exercise instructor (yoga, pilates, cycling, kickboxing or whatever) or professional trainer. How does the consumer know they are getting the real deal or the make believe version. Let me enlighten you with the following:

A professional instructor should always:
1. Facilitate- be able to accommodate class members with enough equipment and space
2. Anticipate- be aware of class participants at all times and offer modifications to movements, suggestions or other options for all levels irregardless of format.
3. Motivate- keep the class moving with appropriate movements for the format, speak with a positive tone without ridiculing or pointing out participants, encourage everyone to work at their own level, and offer plenty of positive feedback
4. Educate- stay informed by attending continuing education sessions, implement the information into their curriculum and be aware of current fitness guidelines and research.
5. Be professional and courteous to all participants, regulars, visitors and newcomers alike
6. Hold a certification from an accredited organization such as ACE, AFAA or ACSM

All professional fitness trainers should:
1. Hold a certification from an accredited organization such as ACE, ASCM, NSCA, NASM or other. *Important mention-although bodybuilding & sport experience is great it does not relate to all the job responsibilities of personal training. We do more than teach exercises to clients!
2. Have a minimum of 200 hours of training and/or practicum and/or degree in exercise science or related field
3. Hold specialty certifications and training for formats such as yoga, pilates, cycling or other specialties *same goes for instructors
4. Maintain their certifications by attending continuing education workshops
5. Be not only a physical role model, but also a health and fitness educational resource for clients
6. A professional trainer is not your workout buddy, but your coach, confidant and butt-kicker!!

These guidelines and tips are essential traits and qualities that every fitness professional should possess. Although each trainer or instructor will have their own individual personality traits, it is critical that they are able to support their clients and participants with not only a sound background of training, education and experience, but also compassion, dedication, enthusiasm and patience. Really, would you want it any differently?

If nothing else, just remember to stay away from the snotty instructors and second guess any information you get from somebody who needs to wear sunglasses into the weight room. Just because somebody can lift a whole bunch of weight doesn’t make them a personal trainer!!

Always observing and listening..
Amy