Whether you’re taking Pilates or Personal Training are the trainers you’re taking from actually trained well?

I was watching a personal trainer teaching one of my Pilates clients.  I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.  The trainer had her doing weighted squats with her knees bending over her toes (tearing her ACLs).  She was doing seated machine triceps with heavy weight using her neck and shoulders.  There were many forward exercises using mostly chest muscles and none to strengthen her back muscles.

When she finished her exercise program, I evaluated her posture.  I have never seen her so bent forward and looking short.  Her neck was actually growing out of her chest like a turkey.

I cannot say anything directly to either of them so I have devised a plan that we Pilates teachers used 20 years ago.  We used to photograph our clients then show them how much better they looked doing Pilates.

The difference was significant. I intend to offer to photograph her next to my graph paper.  Maybe if she sees her posture things will change.

When my clients walk out of my Pilates class or a personal training session I show them the before and after posture.  If they see the difference and like the difference they are more than likely to return to my sessions and maybe do the take home exercises I always give them.

This is a group effort.  Good posture is a life style.

Joe Pilates said his method will change your life.  It will, as long as the trainer works to improve the strength, balance and alignment of the client.

I notice the trainers and Pilates instructors put their clients through a series of exercises they learned in teacher training school but never think if those are the correct exercises for the client in front of them.

What kind of training is out there?  Who is writing the curriculum for fitness these days.?

According to the International Council on Active Aging CEO Colin Milner, who stated in his article recently that one out of two in the US in 2017 is 50 or over with at least two body issues.  Now more than ever, it’s necessary to train to the needs of the people.

Buyer Beware!