Viewer Mail. The It Takes A Village edition

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HELP MizFit!! how do I know if I’ve found a good trainer?!

This is a question Ive received more than a few times and yet one Ive avoided answering as I could ramble on & on & ON on the subject.

Im highly confident ya’ll have better things to do than listen to me rant about the fact you should NOT select the trainer who checks herself out in the mirror every 3 seconds (while supposedly spotting you) nor should you think that simply because Trainer X has more letters behind his name than your physician it’s an indication of his fabulousity (waves at Kimora).

As a result Im going brief here, People.

Bullets.

In all confidence that you will chime in below and point out all that Ive missed & give us all your collective .02.

  • Education or certification. This isnt the most important quality in my opinion (Ive seen some amazing trainers who have learned it all by reading on their own and DOing) but it certainly helps. Find out whom their certifying body is and googlegooglegoogle to read more about it. There are a few standard respected ones (ACSM, ACE etc.) and more than a few “fill out this form and send us 500.00 and youre a trainer!” online offers.
  • (some people like to ask about CPR/first aid/liability insurance. I never thought to ask when I was seeking a trainer but was certified/had insurance when I served as a trainer. your call.)
  • EXPERIENCE. By this I dont mean years of training clients (we all need to start somewhere with a first client) but at least an interest-level/passion with regards to your population. Are you pregnant? looking to lose weight? gain muscle mass? Do you have a chronic injury you need to work around? Seek a trainer who has experience in YOUR arena.
  • Do you like the person beyond the fact s/he’s a trainer. In my mind this is the first thing you should look for after assessing that the individual does, indeed, have some knowledge with regards to what they’re doing fitness-wise. Whether it is one session or 400 you need to find a trainer who is someone with whom you WANT to spend time! I had clients three times a week for years who might have lasted a month with a different trainer. I also had employees with long-term clients who might have quit after one session with my celeb-gossiping self.

How do you know youve found a not-good trainer? You wont need to ask! If youve hired Suzy ItsAllAboutMe she wont listen to what you say (from basic chat to exercise questions), she’ll spend most of your session on her cell phone/chatting with other gym goers, fail to return your calls or emails in a timely basis, and make the sessions more about her goals than yours.

MizFits? Thoughts? Did you bother to ask for referencs when you chose your trainer? Are you a trainer & do you offer references? free consultations? Hit us up in the comments.

I am 48, weigh 122 and have been bench pressing and doing curls with 15 pound dumb bells. Is that too much? I don’t want to look manly.

OK, you can tell where my head is as when I read this email I initially thought she was concerned about looking too manly whilst executing the press.

You know, not feminine enough in the gym setting.

I did, however, finally get it (Im nothing if not slow) and realized that our emailer is asking about developing muscles that would appear too manly.

One sentence on a topic which has been beaten to death: we woman dont possess enough testosterone to build big, bulky, thick, unsightly muscles.

In my opinion, any weight you can press (having no idea of your goals or limitations) for three sets is what you should do!

Your first set should consist of 12 reps, the second set of 10-12 reps, and during your final set you should find that you *work* to eek out 8-10 repetitions.

Fret not about the man-muscles. I completely get your concern and promise you it wont happen.

Vegetarian protein powder, MizFit?? Do you like any?

Ive received this question a bunch lately and the answer is YES!

I really like pea protein (more than you’d ever wanna know about my love affair with P-squared can be found here). The type I show in the video is vanilla flavor but Kirkman Labs makes a great flavorless powder for baking/cooking.

I also use Genisoy’s protein powders, NOW brand egg white protein powder & rice protein powder.

I know it all depends on what type of vegetarian one is (types the complete carnivore), but hopefully this points you toward a few you can try.

Im always a fan of buying a bunch of different kinds in the smallest cannisters you can find & having an at-home taste test party!

It’s fun for the whole family.

MizFits? Got any better suggestions? A favorite veggie powder? please to comment below.

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Comments

  1. Hail the Protein Queen!! Boy LOVES pastry of all kinds anyway, he is SO going to make himself a vegan pie with his pea protein powder. Thanks for the link!

    I still harbour a secret longing to become at PT (I can be peppy, really!), but I’m not entirely sold on working evenings and weekends. And I would probably scare away all my clients “NO CHECKING OUT OF THE BUTT ALLOWED UNTIL YOU FINISH THOSE HUNDRED AND FIFTY BURPEES!”

    Burpees is such a weird word.

    TA x

  2. You say “you should NOT select the trainer who checks herself out in the mirror every 3 seconds”, what about selecting the trainer you want to check out every 3 seconds ?

    Is that a good reason 🙂

  5. Great q & a!

    I have a hard time relating to women who don’t want to look at all muscular–even though I KNOW everyone has the right to look however they want!

    But I still find myself responding emotionally to the cultural stuff that I fear may be lurking behind this desire many women have to be “skinny” as opposed to fit and strong. I so admire women who are strong, and I don’t see why physical strength should be considered attractive only in men.

    Yet as you point out, it’s not like there’s a huge danger of accidentally getting buffed at the gym unless a woman has an unusual amount of testosterone–you really have to work at it to look muscular. So I will just shut up now and save my feminist rant for another time.

  6. ahhh crabby. I shall add nothing to your rant as I’m certain we all know where I stand (she types, reflecting on a childhood filled with Free To Be You And Me soundtracks & the Mommies Can Be Everything Daddies Can Be-esque picturebooks)

    I’ll just share a fast story from my training days.

    New client.
    Consultation.
    Went swimmingly.
    She signed on for 3 sessions a week starting off & purchased a 48 (!) session package.
    I was feeling pretty dang good about myself.
    Client turns as she walks out my studio door and says:

    One thing?

    Me: yes?

    Client: (please to read in a voice filled with DREAD) if I do all this I won’t look like YOU will I?!

    Me: no. Of course not!

    Client: (smiling) ok! bye!

    And.
    WeAllHaveDifferentGoals.
    Scene.

  7. Choosing the right trainer is so important. It can mean the difference between wasting your time and having a rock-solid body. At my gym the trainers seem to be more like stereotypical hairstylists: they’re always gossiping with and about their clients.

  8. ROFLMAO! “you should NOT select the trainer who checks herself out in the mirror every 3 seconds” AMEN!

  9. As a somewhat intimidated, gym-phobic ectomorph, my number 1 criteria for selecting a trainer was that he/she needed to make me feel comfortable and at ease. I absolutely love Donald! He makes me laugh and makes the machines/exercises seem a lot less scary and a lot more doable…

  10. and it takes such a GIFT to be a Donald.

    I adore that the masses think ‘that looks easy. I’ll workout all day and get paid for it? Ill be a trainer!!’

    What do *I* think?
    Anytime something appears easy to do (from Danielle Steele to Joel McHale) I KNOW that sh** must be BEYOND difficult.

    M.

  11. as my kids get older and I have more time to get away from the house for my workouts, I would love to get a trainer. Thanks for the tips! I have been wanting to get some protein powder to add to our smoothies to make them even more nutritious…I’ll check those ones out. A book I have suggested soy or whey powder…how do those fare?

  12. I like both soy and whey, Anette (my fave? CLICK HERE).
    In my opinion it’s all about finding one you like and will actually DO and enjoy!

    M.

  13. I actually do judge a trainer by it’s cover I’ve found. I’m totally into the “practice what you preach” area…at one of the gyms I frequent in NYC, a good number of their trainers are out of shape and have what I would guess as a beer belly (could be fast food?). Now I’m sorry, but I have problems taking direction from a person who obviously doesn’t take care of themselves, how can I trust them to take care of me? I realize trainers are people too, but come on, if you’re “selling” a product, shouldn’t you back it up with your own personal use? Same with stylists, if they look crappy, chances are, you will too…ok Rant over on that subject.

    Now as to protein powder: When I did a vegan detox a few months back, I found they make brown rice protein powder…not my favorite in taste, but I did find I got use to the taste and it gave me INCREDIBLE energy!!! So kudos on that front. I’m back to my carnivorous ways, but I found that with that type of protein power in the vegan world, I considered staying away from the darkside…yeah, but the bbq ribs were calling my name…

  14. Oh…and my only thing against soy products…from what I understand with my limited knowledge…is that soy effects us to produce estrogen, which in turn causes us to hold on to excess body fat…you know that extra layer women just automatically have for child birthing…thanks estrogen. Or is it, it causes and then effects…lol…well you get the gist.

  15. ok thumbtyping so I shall save my SOY THOUGHTS for later.

    about the trainer judging:

    IN MY EXPERIENCE the cover isnt an indicator of either knowledge or fitness level.

    period.

    I hath had my ass kicked (yep. I said it) by some “visually less fit” trainerwomen.

    Women whom Id be LUCKY to be as fit as they (one, in particular, was a power lifter who had both the strength and the selfesteem/body love I PRAY my toddler daughter has someday) and have as much endurance/strength.

    that said, I do the judge a book when it comes to HAIR STYLISTS for some inexplicable reason as, OBVIOUSLY, theyre not cutting their own hair.

    yours in a quickveeringtangent,

    M.

  16. My trainer is a gem/devil (depending on how hard he’s working me!) and a perfect fit. He gets my goals and never pushes supplements etc (not my scene yet) while gently encouraging me to eat clean. While I wouldn’t hang out with him as a friend necessarily, I trust him and that’s my biggest thing.

  17. I love your answers but your anecdote in the comments? PRICELESS! Love Andrew’s comment too, lol. The thing I look for most in a trainer? Humility. If they think they know everything then you can bet they don’t.

    I’m still hoping for you to train me! When are you going to do that giveaway, Miz?

  18. ahhh charlotte you may be more SPOT ON than you think.

    coming soon?

    both S.L.A.P. & MizFit of the Month.

    coming now?

    time to inflate the pool & frolic with the Toddler Tornado and some loud old school Run DMC.

    M.

  19. I don’t have a trainer / can’t afford one, but have very much enjoyed reading all this.

    Mizfit, don’t tease. I would love a training session. I’ll trade some babysitting!

    Have fun with the pool and Run DMC. 🙂

  22. I adored my personal trainer at boot camp. She was sympathetic to what we wanted/needed but also wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I like that in a personal trainer- if they have that right balance between positive encouragement and pushing you to your limits without making you resent them, then they’ve got a real skill!

    And in regards to looking “manly”- if you check out any movie with an ass-kicking actress, you see that she’s got these AWESOME muscles. And looks damn smokin hot as well. I love the strong & capable look.

  23. Fair, I do know many fit people who don’t fit the packaging. (Hey I just used the same word for different meanings…) But still it’s a business and I have an unfortunate habit of expectation.

    And true your hairstylist may not cut their own hair, but I feel it’s like trickle down economics…if they have a bad haircut you’ll get a bad haircut. Besides, even with a bad cut, if you’re a good stylist, you should be able to work magic and make the faux pas work in your favor…thus making it look like it’s supposed to look all cool and messed up.

  24. My “Problem” is that there IS only ONE trainer at my fitness joint. I like her; she is fit. Sometimes she is annoying cuz she LOOOOOOOVES to talk about herself and all the things she’s done in her life: rock band, nail salon owner, owner of other businesses, photographic memory, memorized all text books to get certified in everything ever, blah blah blah. Sometimes she seems to have so much book knowledge that she doesn’t talk on my level TO me. She talks over my head AT me. Does that make her a bad trainer? No. Actually, I should probably tell her that she needs to “keep it simple, stupid” for me or she’ll lose me. As a server of people, she should be open to the feedback. Hmmmm, think I’ll try that.

    She really does know her stuff, sometimes the “presentation” puts me into a coma.

    TTFN

    Oh – no fav. on soy protein or whey protein. Just give me a steak medium rare, please.

  25. I have actually never worked out with a trainer (gasp). I know. Some day. But I have to say, given my self-consciousness and gym-phobia, it would have to be someone with whom I was completely comfortable, who didn’t make me feel inadequate but also didn’t accept any of my bulls**t excuses. And while I agree you shouldn’t judge by the cover, I would need to feel confident that he or she knew what they were talking about, so I think certification would be a must. And working in the legal field, yeah, insurance is not negotiable. 🙂

    So, um, based on all these criteria, I guess I’m coming to live with you, Miz, so you can train me. Heh.

    As for man-muscles – I wantwantwantwantwant the arm and leg muscle definition a la the Jillian or the Miz. I am willing to compromise on the six-pack, but I gotta have the arms and legs. And I don’t see anything manly about that.

    V.

  26. Muscular arms are — sexy! So, no worries, Ms. 122 Pounder — I’m sure your workouts will lead to some sexy strong arms!

  27. Oh, on muscles:

    I WANT muscles. I get jazzed up when I think I see a trace of a muscle coming thru the fat and flab. Muscle and a some definition is HOT HOT HOT!

  28. MizFit — That scene is hilarious. Health clubs are just an interesting place to work.

    So much of training comes down to building a relationship. You need to find a trainer that you feel comfortable with and is in line with your goals, not just what they think your goals should be. I’ve seen many a trainer push clients away by making workouts too hard or too intense when all the client wanted was to feel comfortable in the gym and tone up a bit.

    p.s. I adore bullets. As in the typographical kind.

  30. Loving, like always, the higher weights recommendations! (My muscles are trying to argue that they don’t agree because they are BEYOND sore. A soreness that no 10lb dumbell could achieve)

    And the personal trainer comment. I am a certified trainer (NASM) and I think interaction is key. Both for the client and the trainer. I know that when I had a good interaction with my clients (easy to talk to, motivated to be there, engaging, etc.) that we both got a better session in that hour. You should know pretty quickly if you ‘click’ with your trainer. I always offered a free consultation session to view our interaction and to also learn the client’s goals. I did have times where I felt they would be better suited with a different trainer, and I would recommend that trainer. (i.e. prenatal, a certain injury, etc.)

    sweetsandsweats.wordpress.com

  31. HA! On hairstylists and ??? on client not wanting to look like you.

    Looking forward to SOY THOUGHTS because I am a muscle-y woman who eats lots and lots of soy.

  32. S&S—good point about the consultation.

    I always offered a complimentary meeting and, personally, would never hire a trainer who didn’t.

    M.

  33. I been eating tofu and drinking soy milk for as long as I can remember, being Chinese. However, that only means about 1-2 serving a week. It is not the daily consumption that the soy industry is trying to market to get more people on board about soy (I really have this thing again food industries wanting to change our eating habits because of marketing). From my nutrition classes in college, it is about your weekly or even monthly food mix rather than your daily food mix when it comes to nourishing your body.

    The isoflavones found in soy is about 1/1000th the potency of the estrogen found in our bodies. I think soy becomes more important in your diet after the age of 40 (as mentioned in my post today) than when you are younger (unless you are on hormone replacement therapy). When we are younger, our bodies produce enough estrogen and plus birth control, we really do not need soy as much. Sure – it is healthy and easier to drink soy milk than to cut up a watermelon, but we really should eat that fruit or veggie instead. I think it is our love of getting our nutritions from a pill or a drink that makes everything so confusing.

    As for protein powder, I use a soy protein powder, but only occasionally. Maybe once a week at most. I have dinner right after I workout in the evenings, so I prefer to refuel with that instead. I usually have cottage cheese beforehand if I am hungry or a banana.

  34. It is all good food for thought, Miz. Any insight on youth trainers? I’ve started to do some research about it (you know, in my free time – ha!) and wondered what your insight is about it. Should one become generally certified first and THEN go about youth certification, or with a background in kids, might a person just dive straight into youth training? This is sort of where I see myself headed when my kids go to school . . . though, no worries, I’m not ditchin’ the writing!

    Brianna

  35. You know I am reading all these and taking them in. LEARNING!

    Hey, you in this hood with that loud DMC? The WLPD will ask you to turn it down!

    Still no email 🙁

    You can contact me through my blog. Maybe that will come through.

  36. ahhh so many thoughts.

    backwards.
    Meribeth? Ill catcha at your blog.

    Brianna? I do have a ton of thoughts. but too many for here. Ill email you or do a post on it. the SHORT version? *I* would do general and then population specific.

    asithi? THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to type all that out. it is tremendously appreciated.

    FBG? sorry no bullets here 🙂 and yes. I giggled initially imagining FBG as a gangbanger.

    M.

  37. wow….i would LOVE to find the perfect personal trainer! im stuck in the same OLD exersize rut! i am sorry it took me so long to find your blog, its REALLY good! keep up the great work, and how do you stay to frickin toned, tight, and fit mizfit!?

  39. GREAT tips for choosing a trainer, MizFit! You’re so right about the certs and finding someone who has experience in what you want to accomplish. Trainers, just like doctors, are often not a “one size fits all”.

  40. I always wonder about the man-muscles. I have big calves/legs anyway and even when I was in peek condition my legs were uber toned and I could always cross them- so i know they weren’t manly/bulky. I guess the same would apply for my arms…why am I just now realizing this?!?!

    I am dying laughing about your training days story. That is just hilarious…because it didn’t happen to me. But so funny.


  41. SO true, Mark and why do we women seem to struggle with that!

    If I had a nickel for the number of female friends who have lamented to me that they dont like their trainer & yet “feel bad” switching/finding another…..Id have a LOT of nickels.

    and Hannah? It was ENTIRELY HILARIOUS in the moment.
    on all levels.

    when I have more time Ive got another for you guys as well.

    another “you always need to hear what people are saying and think IT IS SO NOT ABOUT ME” story.

    M.

  42. Mizfit, your advice about the trainer is excellent. I personally like to try out a trainer that hasn’t had as many clients, but has a background in sports, because they work really hard to meet your needs and get a good reference.

    Also, if you organize a “BLOGWORLDWIDE charppreciation day” I’ll bring the balloons!

  43. Great tips about the trainer. I love your point about liking them beyond the whole trainer situation. It’s important that you “click” with the trainer.

  45. I agree that we can’t build man-like muscles even if we wanted to, but I AM bothered by prominent veins in my arms. I think it’s mostly genetic, but I’m pretty sure weight-lifting makes it worse. Any advice?

  46. Vered? it is genetic. and is also body fat related. the leaner one is the more vascular or veiny one becomes!

    slackermama? did you hear? John Edwards spotted with his mistress & new illegitimate baby? that Matthew Broderick (*sigh* I heart the Broderick! My husband was, at one time, the Broderick’s personal trainer!) was spotted having a ‘meeting’ with a sexy woman which appeared to be an illicit affair?!

    M, who knows neither of these individuals and is merely joking around. please not to sue her for both of her dollars.

  47. I’ll just put it out there. John Edwards would not have to ask me twice! HA! Not a word Bag Lady, I am hearing none of it! You either Miz.

  48. “HELP MizFit!! how do I know if I’ve found a good trainer?!”

    Maybe I am just jaded or cynical, but chances are your trainer is not good- he or she is most likely mediocre at best. The kinds of trainers I’ve worked with and known generally fell into three categories. (1) the actual good trainers (the smallest group), (2) the lugnut muscle heads who wanted an excuse to be in the gym all day, and (3) people who are killing time between other jobs and aren’t even certified. You think I am kidding. Men’s Health did an article on how many gyms hire people off the street without cert. with the condition that they get certified in the next year or two. What a joke.

  49. man, someday I’ll make enough money to hire a personal trainer. But I’m going to hire a housekeeper first!

    The only “personal trainer” I’ve ever met was a total douchebag. I wish I could warn people about him. That said, I don’t think he’s working in the field – I believe he’s actually a rent-a-cop at present.

    As for looking too muscular, well, I am one of those highly testosteroned women. It means more than gaining muscle mass quickly, aparently it makes me prone to be opinionated (aka a bitch) and independent. Thankfully, I’m also terminally lazy so I’m not gonna turn into Arnie anytime soon.

  50. Thanks for the veggie protein options. I’m on the look out for a pea protein — even though I’m a little freaked out by the idea. What about an aftertaste? Am I better off with the vanilla for that reason?

  51. I knew a fellow group X instructor who stared at herself during her entire class… It bugged me to no end. Could you please check the form of your peeps or something? I think what I would look for in a trainer is the ability to understand my goals and force me to push a little harder than I would push myself. I think once baby is born, I might be looking for a trainer doing the crossfit program… I’ll keep you posted.

  52. Cali, I didn’t find *any* aftertaste with the plain pea or the vanilla.
    And I used the plain in the recipes I mentioned as well.

    And Alice? The mirror staring? I love that. Will Ferrell needs to do a movie where he’s a personal trainer & mock all the bad traits.

    Shirtless of course.

    M.

  53. Trainers? Certificates? I can tell you one thing i don’t trade experience for certificates, i’m full of trainers who know nothing, but have an good certificate, nothing like experience.

    Protein for me is: Fish, Eggs, Milk and Meat, ohh Beans too. Supplements for me only vitamines, minerals, omega3 and stuff like that

  54. Just saying hi. No trainer here, just really bad days somedays. This is the kind of day that if it weren’t for BAD luck, we’d have no luck at all…………………
    Bye.

  56. Thank goodness someone else understands that women who lift weights will NOT look manly, unless you’re taking handfuls of steroids!!!!!

    And also thanks for pointing out to not knock the newly certified trainers, especially ones with years of athletic experience at high levels (and there’s no way I’m shamelessly referring to myself :))

  58. Hi, regarding veggie protein powders–I am a vegetarian and I always suggest getting your protein from the source first, supplements or powders second. For protein, I eat lots of soybeans (edamame), nuts (almonds are my fav), whole grains, and beans (loaded with protein and fiber). Make your calories count and count what you eat and you will never be in the position of having to choose protein powders.

    Check out this recent post for more on veggie protein:

    http://livelife365.blogspot.com/2008/06/insearch-of-vegetable-protein.

    peace,
    mike
    livelife365

  60. Meribeth? The Bag Lady is a little slow on the up-take today… (everyday?)
    Totally missed your comment earlier, and have to confess had to Google John Edwards. And, from the one picture I looked at – he wouldn’t have to ask me twice either!! And neither would the totally buff, tattoo-covered young fella I had an encounter with on my parts-run into town today….wow! Hate to admit this HERE, but I’m not usually a big fan of tattoos. This young’un really carried it off, though. Sigh. The Bag Lady needs to get off the ranch more often!!

  61. I personally have never tried a protein powder, I wouldn’t mind I guess…just have never thought about using it to be honest.

    Also I think Personal trainers would be a good luxury…but a luxury it would be. They are so expensive, but for fitness noobs like me are probably a necessity because I probably *think* I might be doing some hard core strenuous work out…but I would be doing it wrong and completely doing a bunny workout that does nothing for my body!

  62. I’m definitely going to have to try pea protein, as I’m a vegetarian and don’t really care for soy protein shakes. I’m pretty excited now =)

    And as for personal trainers, I’m a receptionist at a gym (oh the side jobs in college), and the trainers there might be certified, but they don’t know what on earth they are doing! I definitely agree that experience in a particular area is what’s most important.

  63. and Ayesha I LOVE this as a semi-final comment.

    in that you knew, by listening to your gut, that the trainers werent so great.

    I think that’s the overarching message to our emailer:

    how do you know? YOU’LL KNOW!

    M.

  64. ” it is genetic. and is also body fat related. the leaner one is the more vascular or veiny one becomes!”

    Well, in that case.. I’ll take lean and veiny over plump and smooth. 🙂

  65. References are definitely good. I’m not only willing to provide references, I’m happy to; I delight in providing references. I think that if you really care about your clients and their goals, offering references is a great way to convince potential clients to train with you.

    And I use a hemp protein powder, which is all-natural, vegan, and RAW (although I’m no longer a raw foodist).

  66. I provide references and my CV in a packet provided at the first consultation.

    Hey, MisFit, btw, you know we love your bog. Would you consider swapping links?

    🙂 Jamie

  72. I’ve been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours lately, but I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all web owners and bloggers made good content material as you probably did, the net shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.

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