I’ve been asked many times by many people, on what it is they should be looking for when choosing a Personal Trainer. There are many things that we should take into consideration - track record, experience, how comfortable you are with him/her, their techniques, certification… i could go on and on. But I believe that there is an underlying criteria that supercedes many of the above mentioned criteria. Besides the credentials & certifications, what differentiates one Personal Trainer from the other?
A personal trainer can have all the experience in the world, countless fancy exercise routines, but if he or she does not have the GENUINE CONCERN for that person who comes to them for help… then it is truly a disappointment. A personal trainer needs to be able to put themselves in the shoes of their client - to understand what it is they really want, to connect with them, and to speak into their lives. As we all know, Fitness is a Lifestyle, and not just a hobby or a trend, and this is exactly why it needs a much deeper and significant approach for it to make an impact and a lasting impression/difference in the life of the person.
Take this Quiz.
Name the ten wealthiest men in the world.
Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade’s worth of World Series winners?
How did you do? I didn’t do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday too well. Surprising how quickly we forget, isn’t it? And what I’ve mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one.
Think of three people you enjoy spending time with.
Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier? It was for me, too.
The lesson? The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.
From And the Angels Were Silent
Copyright 1992, Max Lucado
