The fitness industry has some work to do. Sometimes I think we are getting somewhere and then another new client comes in sharing their horror stories of past trainers and gyms or sometimes I make the mistake of looking at my explore page. The 30 billion dollar health and fitness industry is growing 3-4% every year and shows no signs of slowing according to the IHRSA. Yet only 18.6% of Americans are meeting the minimum exercise requirements set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services. I believe this is largely because so many people get caught in this cycle of not making progress and working out for all the wrong reasons. Mainstream media portrays photoshop bodies and endless sweat sessions to get there, but when we look at the science is that what really causes adherence? Are we all in this to try and help people or has this industry been flooded with people trying to make a quick buck off your insecurities? The optimistic side of me likes to think that everyone in this field is truly out to help, but might not have the proper education or tools to do it. But the longer I do this, the more I suspect there is something a little more nefarious at play.

So, I have come up with 5 ways on how to tell your coach is just there for your money and not your best interest.

1) Workouts are randomly assigned with no rhyme or reason or you are given the same cookie cutter program as everyone else at the gym. If you have a different workout every day, how are you going to see progress? If your workout is just random exercises strung together, what are you really training?

2) They emphasize and celebrate how much you sweat instead of actual trainable qualities. Sweating has nothing to do with how successful your training session was. Find some one who tracks objective outcomes and gets you closer to your goals.

3) Constructive feedback is scarce but high fives and celebrations are had for everything. Now don’t get me wrong you should celebrate your wins, but make sure you earn those wins. Endless high-fives and hugs just hide a lack of coaching ability.

4) They continuously raise prices without adding value to their service. Usually hidden behind a sob story about how much they’ve helped you and now it’s time to help them.

5) They don’t attempt to educate you on why your doing the things your doing and the science behind it (because there usually is none). Self efficacy is key to long term adherence. A lack of explaining the why’s creates dependency and that is just what they want.

So, next time you drop money on anything fitness related ask yourself is this company/business here to help me be the best version of myself? Or are they trying to get me to buy into their perpetual loop of nothingness?

5 Ways to Tell It Is Time for a New Coach