Become a Smart Trainer.

I am now going to reveal one of the biggest, most essential pieces of advice a new trainer could possibly get: Become a smart trainer.

I can tell you from personal experience-- as I am not the biggest, strongest, or most in-shape trainer at my gym, nor have I ever been-- having a good physique is not the key to being a successful trainer. Yes, you need to look the part. If you don't, get on that. Clean up your diet and start getting serious about working out (we'll talk more about looking the part later). For now though, what will differentiate you and make you a great trainer, is that you need to be a smart trainer.


Step 1:  Go to Amazon.com and buy a copy of the NASM personal training manual. It will cost you around $60. Do not buy a personal training certification package through NASM, not just yet anyway. You need only the textbook for now, and if you can get a used one for cheap, even better.



Step 2:  Start reading it. Work on one to two chapters per week. Highlight stuff that seems weird or hard to understand. Try to understand what you already know about fitness in light of some of the more "scientific" explanations you find in your book. Also look for any information that may contradict what you know or think you know.





Step 3: Look at videos on YouTube that feature:

• Dan John
• Pavel Tsatsouline
• Mike Boyle
• Mark Rippetoe

There's a lot of them out there. Check them out and take notes. That should keep you occupied for a while.

That's it for now. Once you get your NASM book, for the next 30 days, your goal is to bombard your brain with a bunch of new information from people who know what they're talking about. Your job is to try and absorb it and, most importantly, think about and take notes on things that you find interesting, confusing, cool or weird.

Check back soon for your next step in becoming a successful trainer.