So You Want To Be a Fitness Professional?
Greetings from Cortland, NY!
It’s freaking snowing (not that that’s any big surprise)! That would be like saying,”the sky is blue,” or “water is wet,” or “Justin Beiber is a no-talent ass hat!”
I left Boston yesterday under blue skies and 60 degree weather (which feels like summer this time of year), only to arrive in central NY five hours later to overcast gloom and nothing but rain and snow.
Welcome home, Tony!
Despite the really crappy weather, it is nice to be “home.” I placed home in quotations because the college is literally ten minutes from my home town, and part of the impetus for making the trip – other than the non-stop adulation, praise, and ticker tape parade that may or may not happen in my honor – was to be here for Easter and take advantage of Mama Gentilcore’s home cooking.
Which is to say: I absolutely crushed some apple pie yesterday.
Nevertheless, to say it was an honor to be asked to come back and speak would be an understatement.
Note: for those out of loop: I was invited back to my alma mater to speak to some of the Exercise Science, Kinesiology, and Fitness Development majors; as well as any graduate students or general public you didn’t want to watch Dancing With the Stars and come listen to me speak instead.
In fact, it’s been kind of a surreal experience.
I mean, back in the day, when I was an undergrad myself, I was about as nondescript of a student as they come. And now, I’m expecting upwards of 50+ people to show up just to listen to me speak. Unreal.
Everything started to kick into high-gear when, last week, THIS short write up popped up on the school’s homepage detailing (the Cliff Notes version anyways), what I’ve been up to in the year’s since I graduated, as well as giving people a sneak peak into the topic of my presentation, which I’ll be throwing down later today.
From there it’s been an avalanche of local media exposure. I got a call from the school newspaper asking if we could set up a time for some photo ops, and then a local news talk radio station (in Ithaca) contacted me and wanted to do a 5-10 minute interview LIVE for their morning show.
And when I say live, I mean literally – LIVE. I called in and the guy was like, “we’re on in 30 seconds!” Thankfully everything went smoothy and I didn’t drop an f-bomb. Woo-hoo!
Afterwards I got in my car to make the quick trip to the main campus where the game plan was to speak to a Kinesiology class (the class of the professor who set this whole shindig up). The vast majority of the kids in the class were aspiring personal trainers, coaches, and future business owners, so rather than stand there and bore them to tears talking about insertions and origins and blah blah blah, I wanted to take the time to impress upon them some of the traits and characteristics that I feel every fitness professional should strive for.
Namely, that success in this industry isn’t so much dictated by book smarts or just showing up to class – but rather, it’s about having an insatiable drive to always make yourself better, and that at the end of the day it’s important to understand that you’re not that big of a deal and that you need to put your work in just like everyone else.
Here are some of the main bullet points I hammered (within 50 minutes):
1. Do you see this as a career or a hobby? First and foremost you need to get comfortable feeling uncomfortable, because you’re not going to know the answer to everything. But those who deem this more of a career, and something that they see as their future, will always try to find the answer and get better.
2. Understand that you (probably) won’t make a lot of money right out of the gate. Visions of a six-figure salary and having a ton of disposable income is wishful thinking. Statistically speaking most trainers burn out within two years, which isn’t surprising when you factor in 10-14 hour work day, 6-7 days per week. Likewise, most trainers are NOT financially independent, work pay check to pay check, and often have to get a second job to make ends meet.
The point isn’t to be a Debbie Downer or to say that it isn’t possible to do very well for yourself. But, if we’re going to be honest, and if we’re really going to prepare people for the “read world,” then this is the kind of stuff upcoming trainers and coaches need to hear.
3. Don’t have more degrees than a thermometer. HA – get it!?!?!? Degrees? Thermometer? Okay, I’ll shut up.
An example would be Joe Schmo, MSc, CSCS, CPT, LMT, Who gives a s***.
Point blank, no one cares how many letters you have next to your name. It doesn’t really mean anything. Sure it looks cool and it will undoubtedly help open the doors to a few more opportunities, but it always comes down to a quote I’ve heard Mike Boyls state time and time again:
No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
4. I gave a quick quiz to the students, and asked how many could:
– Name all four muscles of the rotator cuff. Which ones are external rotators?
– What’s the main function of the rotator cuff?
– Name 8 out of 17 muscles that attach to the scapulae?
– Name the only hip flexor which acts above 90 degrees of hip flexion?
– Explain the difference between a short and stiff muscle?
– Coach someone how to deadlift properly?
– Explain to a normal person why there’s no such thing as a “Fat Burning Zone?”
– Draw the Kreb’s Cycle. Blindfolded.
Okay, kidding on that last one.
But the point was – can they actually explain these basic things? If not, well………..what does that say about this being a hobby or a career?
5. Learn functional anatomy. Not everyone is going to be an anatomy cyborg like Eric Cressey, Mike Robertson, or Bret Contreras. But it stands to reason that knowing your way around the human body is kind of an important trait to have as a fitness professional.
Admittedly, while I can get by and I can hold my own, anatomy is NOT one of my strong suits. What’s important, and something I stressed to the students, is that it comes down to repeated exposures. You’re not going to learn everything overnight, and if you hang out around the likes of Bill Hartman you can’t help but feel stupid at times.
The omohyoid thingamjiggy does what now?
Read blogs, articles, and books. Watch DVDs. The more repeated exposures you give yourself to any given topic, the more likely, someday, the light bulb will go off.
Trust me: it happens.
6. Be PROACTIVE as a coach! Actually look like you give a shit! Don’t just stand there and look like a zombie and count reps. COACH your clients.
7. But at the same time, don’t overcoach. Someone’s squat may look like a train wreck waiting to happen and you may very well want to throw your face into a wall, but it’s important not to overwhelm someone and to learn to focus on 1-2 major things rathe than trying to perform a miracle.
8. Try not to fall into being part of the status quo. Don’t throw in all the “smoke and mirrors” into your programming for the sole purpose of looking different than everyone else. Get people results, get them feeling better and moving more efficiently, and you’ll be doing your job.
9. I feel EVERY upcoming trainer should spend at least 1-3 years working in a commercial gym setting. Sure you’re going to have to fight the urge to pour battery acid in your eyes or to swallow live bees from all the asinine things you’ll see……but it’s one of the best ways to get better. In what other setting will you have access to such a wide variety of clientele? If you can teach a 45 year old CEO with the movement quality of an iceberg how to deadlift, you can teach anyone how to deadlift.
Sure you’re going to have life-sucking clients that will zap all your energy, but those are few and far between. Having the opportunity to work with such a wide variety of backgrounds, goals, needs, injuries, etc will speak volumes as far as making you a better coach.
10. Watch your social networking. As a potential future employer, I can guarantee you that if you apply for an internship or job, we’re checking your Facebook and/or Twitter accounts.
You know all those pictures you have up from when you won that Beer Pong championship back in 2012? Or all those posts where you called your ex-girlfriend every colorful name under the sun? Yeah, you should probably take those down.
And those were just the tip of the iceberg. I had a few other points that I made, but I feel like I’m just blabbering on now.
Anyhoo, the main show starts at 5 PM where I’m going to speak to a much larger crowd on things like assessment, program design, the season finale of The Walking Dead, and I’m sure I’ll go on a few rants or two. Or three.
Until then I need to get rid of some pent up nervousness and go lift some heavy things. Might as well go deadlift – of course!
Wish me luck……;o)
Comments for This Entry
Brent Holm
Solid info for sure. The only thing I question is in regards to time spent as a trainer in a commercial gym. I currently work for one and will be patting myself on the back when I hit 6 months employment there because the atmosphere is not very conducive to learning. If anything I want to intern more than anything for a facility where I can get my questions answered. Hell, working where I work now and getting paid pretty decently (commercial gym decent that is), I will take a 100% pay cut to train alongside uber smart trainers. So I think it comes down to what type of person you are (do you care enough to work for free, but having ridiculous smart people make you better?) A lot of times I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels and not helping my clients who have some serious movement issues. So..commercial gyms are great places to start, because like you said you are exposed to just about every possible issue you could imagine (at least for me), but if you are like me and have a huge desire to get help with the ridiculous amount of questions I have, then put enough time in to fill a binder full of questions and go find people that are a lot smarter than you. I don't like the fact I'm one of the smarter trainers at the gym. It's really not saying much either :)April 1, 2013 at 1:51 pm |
TonyGentilcore
I totally get how much of a bummer it is not to have like-minded individuals around to talk shop with and trade ideas. I had to deal with that myself at a few places I worked. BUT: I think from a more "hands-on" perspective, it's important for trainers to actually coach people. And they only way they're going to get better at coaching is to coach. But I can appreciate where you're coming from as well. Like you said, though: it all comes down to what YOU make of it.April 3, 2013 at 7:36 am |
Brent Holm
I should really pay attention to this blog more often :) Yeah, I think my issue is that I came into this career choice late (I'm 29) so I feel like I have already seen the shittiest of the shitty, have followed uber smart people like Cressey, Boyle, Cosgrove, Robertson, etc. for years before even considering this profession, and am pretty much over being surrounded by apathy on a daily basis (it really manages to suck the life out of you some days.). All is not lost though. It's only increased my desire to want to intern somewhere and actually learn from people who genuinely give a crap. you wouldn't happen to know good training spots in the Seattle area would you Tony? I'll probably apply around. Cosgrove's place in So cal is on the short list. They are the bees knees :)April 8, 2013 at 6:41 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Luka Hocevar is in the Seattle area Brent. Very cool dude. Not sure if he offers internships, but it might be worth reaching out to him to see if you can go observe.April 9, 2013 at 7:35 am |
Jeremy Doolittle
I feel the exact same way, Brent. I'm at a big-box gym (just hit the 6-month mark) and while I don't hate my job, I also feel like I'm stuck in a rut and not really learning enough of what I need to. I appreciate the exposure and I'm definitely learning how to coach, interact, and handle my business better, but there are so many things about the actual training methodology and exercises that I am confused about. I have no idea where to even begin to learn. "I don't like the fact that I'm one of the smarter trainers at the gym. It's really not saying much." Lol. Wow. I think you stole that exact thought from my brain.April 3, 2013 at 7:35 pm |
Melchor Ace Casiano
Hey Tony. Great post as usual. I have to 101%(plus some) agree with the Functional Anatomy part. 4 years in university with a decent exposure to anatomy in class and lab does not cut it once you're in the real world working with people. You need to study, then apply it. Try it on yourself. I work in a rehab and wellness clinic and really thankful for the exposure to the variety of clients we have. The fact that my colleagues (DCs, PT) are very smart, and have a knack for teaching is a bonus.April 2, 2013 at 9:39 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Perfectly stated!April 3, 2013 at 7:37 am |
James
And he's back! Nice post, big man ;-)April 3, 2013 at 4:45 am |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks dude! We had a fellow Australian stop by CP for a few days last week, from Perth. Great dude.April 3, 2013 at 7:38 am |
Jim Smith
You don't need luck to deadlift silly man.. you just need to deadlift.. Good luck with the speaking thing though.April 3, 2013 at 6:46 am |
TonyGentilcore
Well, I thinking the "wish me luck" was more along the lines of my presentation and that I wouldn't be an epic fail. Thankfully, it wasn't.......;o)April 3, 2013 at 7:39 am |
Jake Johnson
Those are some awesome points Tony. The functional anatomy part was great because university anatomy does not do a great job teaching the application of what you learn. DVD's like Boyle's Functional Strength Coach series and Building the Efficient Athlete by Cressey and Robertson had the most impact on how to apply anatomy to what is seen in a real world setting. Glad to hear that the presentation went well! JakeApril 3, 2013 at 8:50 am |
TonyGentilcore
Glad you agreed Jake. I'd have to agree that both Boyle's and Training the Efficient Athlete would be my go to sources for upcoming trainers as well.April 4, 2013 at 7:06 am |
Karl Williams
Great post Tony with some awesome points, cheers. Hope the speech went well.April 3, 2013 at 11:00 am |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Karl!April 4, 2013 at 7:06 am |
Stevan Freeborn
Do you have a book or DVD you recommend for learning functional anatomy? Great post.April 3, 2013 at 1:27 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Stevan - Check out my resources page on the site. Any or all of Mike Boyle's Functional Strength Coach DVD sets, as well as Building the Efficient Athlete would be high on the list.April 4, 2013 at 7:08 am |
Stevan Freeborn
Thanks tony for the recommendations. Very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the great content you continuously produce.April 4, 2013 at 8:28 pm |
Louie Guarino
This is why you are one of my idols...awesome piece!April 3, 2013 at 8:39 pm |
TonyGentilcore
Thanks Louie - always appreciate the kind words!April 4, 2013 at 7:09 am |
Ryan
awesome Post Tony-I teach PT here and here are the three pieces of career advice I give my students: 1] "Spend the best money you can on the best continuing education you can get.You will have to travel.Any money you spend on this will come back to you 100 fold' 2] Always try to work with people smarter than you.If they won't hire you volunteer for them or shadow them.And if your in a position to do so hire people smarter than you 3]Never work for second or third rate companies or organizations.It will cheapen your brand and eventually hurt your future employment.Hold out if you have to. Keep it coming Tony!April 4, 2013 at 12:33 am |
TonyGentilcore
Awesome, awesome advice Ryan.April 4, 2013 at 7:09 am |
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Brian Fernando Villarruel
Very informing and helpful information Tony. Definitely will always keep this in mind and keep educating myself outside of required readings at school. Going that extra mile to better your craft is often one the best solutions to master what you do.April 8, 2013 at 11:53 am |
TonyGentilcore
Words to live by Brian. Thanks for reading!April 9, 2013 at 7:33 am |
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