Your gluteus maximus doesn’t care what it’s called - it just wanted to get stronger without getting injured. Hearing a trainer name every muscle from memory doesn’t always translate into knowing how to train a living, breathing human. Coaching is a skillset that requires an understanding of people, reading bodies, and more than anything - adjusting on the fly. It’s not about what we know, it’s about what our clients can do with it. Communication style is the absolute KEY in finding a trainer you connect to. If a trainer can’t explain a movement clearly or adapt their language to match a client’s level, all that knowledge goes to waste. It is not about sounding smart - it’s about being understood. The best trainers simplify, connect, and correct without the jargon. If a client is getting confused, they’re not getting better - they’re getting frustrated. It’s very easy to assume that someone with six pack abs or toned muscles must have all the answers. After all, if they’ve gotten themselves into great shape, surely they can help others do the same, right? Not necessarily. While I do think it’s important that a trainer looks as if they live by the principles they are speaking on, having an impressive physique often comes from a combination of genetics, discipline, and time - not necessarily knowledge of how to train others. I’ve seen trainers who made an entire brand off teaching people to do what they do in the gym, and in many cases is detrimental and frustrating to the person trying to get in shape. A good trainer will have the knowledge on how to create effective, safe, and personalized programs for someone recovering from an injury, managing stress, just starting out, or dealing with hormonal shifts. I have to confess, I was guilty of this mindset for many years. Not having a full understanding of both training and recovery principles, I wanted clients to “embrace the pain”. We live in a fitness culture that often equates being sore and breathless with “having a good workout”. The truth is, intensity without intention can lead to burnout, hormone dysfunction, injury, and discouragement. An effective coach understands progressive overload, rest, and recovery, and how to train with purpose. They know when to push and when to pull back. While challenging workouts do have their place, every session shouldn’t leave you gasping for air or unable to function the rest of the day. The real sign of a good trainer? You’re seeing steady improvement in strength, mobility, energy, and confidence - not just surviving brutal sessions. Social media is a powerful platform, and many fitness “influencers” look the part - offering slick videos, “quick fixes”, and high-energy workout snippets. But do not confuse a large following with true coaching experience. What works in a 60 second reel may not be safe or appropriate for your fitness level or your body mechanics. So many influencers create content for entertainment or aesthetics, not for science- based sustainable results. Some may be certified, or they list certifications they never completed. A good coach will not be focused on likes, they will focus on you. They will assess your needs, track your progress, adjust your plan, and offer real-time coaching that no algorithm can replace. Ugly truth of this industry, there is no governing body to make sure coaches are practicing their craft in a safe and smart manner. Certification is important - it means a trainer has studied exercise science and anatomy. But certification alone doesn’t guarantee they’ll be able to translate that knowledge on the gym floor. It won’t teach you how to communicate, motivate, or coach. Definitely check for a certification - but dig deeper. Ask about the level of experience working with clients like “you”, and pay close attention to how they speak to you, how they listen, and how they handle questions or concerns.
