I guess this is kind of a rant of sorts-and again like I say things are going swimmingly. The good? Well a place that had been after me for about six months to go and work at part time is paying off. It is a first rate run organization the job on promoting me when I got there was absolutely outstanding. More on that later
The not so good- another place[Told you I was busy] and city run again asked me to come work for them part time. OK, close to home nice facility.. So far so good , but unfortunately had the charming habit of paying me 'when they got around to it'.. if it was a private place it still wouldn't have been acceptable but it would have been understandable .No this was a community centre Gym...after a few months there it became apparent that they had no interest in any of the programs I wanted to run , Trainers talks, and they didn't even put my bio up on the official site. Frankly nobody gave a shit- with the exception of me. The kicker is when I told them 'no more' nobody batted an eyelid...and yes I am owed a few hours which I will never get. Disgraceful.
It's interesting how much things can change when people actually care. The first facility[ and BTW this is on top of my regular job at probably one of the best facilities around] which is private is so incredibly well run. Clean, efficient and really together and pays me immediately. I got the job through a colleague of mine who had asked me for about six months to come and work for them...something told me there was an ulterior motive. There was. Oh my God the Trainers there are .....well terrible. My colleague, when I mentioned it shook his head and sighed. "I know. That's why I wanted you to come here" Now generally I only worry about what I do , but as great as the facility is.. oh Dear God.. Bosu Ball squats, bands, run up and down the stairs for no reason. None of the ones I have seen have a clue. No I haven't said anything because if their clients hire them and not me well , none of my biz..I have not seen a single Trainer there teach anyone a squat,hip hinge or pushup.NOT ONCE
But it reinforces something I have said all along, we need to educate consumers about what they should expect when they hire a trainer....Bemusedly I have put together a list for consumers...
1] Only hire an ACSM or NSCA Trainer. This is a cut above. ACE might be OK, NASM is iffy.
2] Have they left Canada to go to a seminar in the United States?[ Trust me on this] If they never have proceed with extreme caution.
3] Were you screened? ACSM Risk Stratification, Functional Movement Screen, New Zealand Movement Competency Screen? If all you do is show up and run around in circles with no assessment , please get your money back.
4] Do they talk on their cell phone when Training YOU? Fire their sorry ass IMMEDIATELY.
5] Do you have a file with notes detailing your progress and weekly workouts?
6]Do they check in on you after a session?
That's just a beginning list.I'm working on a list of what you should expect from a session... Stay tuned
