Wednesday, May 28, 2014

I'd do it for free, if I didn't like to eat

ok
we all work
my daughters all have jobs where they make an amount per hour, all part time.
some people have a "base" plus commission
some are straight commission
Personal Trainers are 100% if I don't train then I don't eat.

I know you work hard for your money, I do too; training is more than counting your sets and reps. It is learning your strengths and weaknesses, helping YOU to reach YOUR goals, it is more than the hour a day/week etc we spend together. There is a lot that goes into your session.....

I have rates, yes I work deals and run "specials" etc. but geesh

After we talk and barter and talk and come to an agreement, please honor it.

It's like this:

A trainer only makes money on training you, the more sessions you commit to, typically, the cheaper the session becomes. There are not "payment plans" on the cheap session..... think of it like going to Sam's or Cosco... you buy in bulk and save money

Could you imagine going to Cosco and getting your pallet of toilet paper, then at check out, asking if you could pay for part of it now and part of it in two weeks.....
ummmm NO


so after we chat it out and decide on a price for you, honor it.

More about the WHY....

So I only make money when I train you..... ok cool. If you buy a package that has 2 sessions a week for 6 weeks, then I block out the next 6 weeks of my time for YOU. I may have to travel to you, so maybe I have to carve out 1.5 for an hour of training.... blah blah blah....
So if we agree to 2x a week for 6 weeks, you need to pay for those sessions before we get started...

WHY
Because if you do not prepay,you have no obligation to meet with me and it becomes: I can't do this day, let's do that; this week is bad, I can't meet; can we do it at a new time today?: and so on....
FURTHERMORE
A trainer makes a good deal with you because you become the regular, the person he/she knows will be there working out, making changes and, yes, regular income.....
SO
if you can't commit to a long term deal, then you will have to pay a little bit more for the sessions.... It is just the nature of the beast....

It is the same with everything, even candy :) buy one at 1.19, or 2 for 2...... 

mmmmmmm candy 

So the next time you are grumbling about the cost of PT, remember your trainer has to eat too!

mmmmmm candy :)

Thursday, May 22, 2014

scheduling and other fun things

Being a trainer is like any other "freelance" job.
It is like being a SAHM/D 





There is no 9-5
There is no "night off"
There is no girls night out
There IS 100% commitment that everything you do be a reflection of who your company is
There IS 100% chance I will have something with my biz on me, out in public everywhere I go
There IS 100% chance I will try to work what I do into all conversations..... eventually

I had a regular job before (in a gym of course) and my schedule was something like:
 up at 6 (ish) get kids to school and head into work
 TRAFFIC: BTW no one misses an hour+ commute, especially when the drive is only 20 min w/o traffic
 park and walk into the office
 VM
EMAIL
what's the schedule for the day? meetings, appointments, classes, clients etc etc all assigned for you.. always a boss telling you that you need to raise money for this, cut that and meet these people blah blah
Oh-yeah and chores (ya'know "home stuff") are done at night and on weekends......

Now, as an independent trainer: (meaning I pay a gym to use it and train folks there as well as train peeps in their homes)
Still up at 6 (ish)
I HATE MORNINGS AND CHARGE EXTRA FOR CLIENTS WHO WANT THEM


after i crawl outta bed
could be clients, marketing, chores, clients, kids, clients
or could be marketing, chores, kids, clients clients clients
or could be clients clients clients
And honestly it is always marketing: Groupon, shirts, gift certs, email, social media, being in the area, posts, meeting folks, trying to volunteer and anything else that gets DeckerFeyt seen

And it is not ever the same day to day or week to week

so I LOVE IT


BUT

I have to be super-hyper organized, and I am not. I mean in the circle I run in (I have no friends, so pretty much just me) I am the most organized person, but I really am not that organized.

I pretty much feel like I am always on the verge of forgetting something
BUT I keep everything written in pencil (yes I use an ancient paper calendar in lue of all the technology available) but I write everything in pencil because it changes fast. I could have a 1030, 1130 and 1230 that gets moved to a 1015 to 1130 to 1
Now that doesn't sound like much, but 15 min early is A LOT when you are planning out your whole day and the 30 min push back on a client can be good, or bad, ya just never know

But anyway.....
Scheduling is a thing that absolutely, unequivocally has to be done.
I know it is an issue because my kids are the only kids who (when asked) will tell (or need to know) the actual MINUTE of time.normal people: "what time is it?" "11:15" my family "what time is it?" "11:13" 



YES THOSE 2 MIN MATTER
Those two precious min are the difference between 1113 and 1115

But like I said, I am not THAT organized. ha ha



Used to drive my ex NUTS.... 
NUTS
seriously, can you imagine?? date or dinner reservations with me?
but all you need to know is that there is a difference between 1113 and 1115

Ask any trainer if they would rather have the consistency of a 9-5, and they wouldn't.... and I would not want to have back any office job, I love the variety and the unknowing of my day..... well I like the planned day that varies...

In case you are wondering:
kids
blog and other sm with breakfast
Starbucks~ not a coffee drinker, but LOVE hibiscus refresher
client
my workout
quick bite
client
client
client
Ill eat again
more marketing
client
cook dinner for the kids
eat (not their dinner, I do not want what they are having tonight)
BTW this is about 330-4p right now when I have my other job, I have to make dinner early for them
night job
and I will probably sneak in some marketing while I am there......

So, honestly that is just my day from 630-4, then I have to work tonight so....... that is a whole other thing.....

Go Be Awesome

Monday, May 19, 2014

OMG How do people blog daily?

So it has been a week of crazy
Maybe two?
It feels like months....

two sick kids, great hammie hurt, and UHG, dirty house.

I always laugh at people (youngun's) who are in the dream world of all the money they will make training folks.
Of course people think all trainers are like celebrity trainers.
no body fat
always happy
eat only the healthy choice
mean
lean
always active

None of this is true.
let's say you are making 200 a client/hr that is about 1.5 of work.... which is STILL AMAZING MONEY. 

but

most are not making 200 a client... and pt is as much about your sales pitch as your ability to train.
I would say it is your ability to sell that supersedes your ability to train. I am not a good sales person. I like to talk, but I do not like to sell. I am always broke, always have been, so I totally get why YOU can't or don't want to spend your money....
so anyway......getting to get even the wealthy to drop 200/hr on you is pretty hard.... 

I do not know how you become a celebrity trainer, but I do know that I do not have a house like Cameron Diaz in What to expect when your expecting movie......
or a boyfriend
or a pool
but I DO have
body fat, a grumpy bumpy attitude, eat yummy food (mmmm chocolate) and again, netflix (right now I am obsessing over revenge)

But I do work in a great gym with happy active busy people.... all downing shakes in between clients.... I think they (like me) only drink that stuff because you gotta eat and it is fast. But they (unlike me) run marathons, compete in shows (flex your pecks) bike and tri's.... and then there is me, thinking maybe I will do a 5K..but then again, maybe not..

So anyway.... being a trainer is just like any other job, if you love it and are good at it, you can make a living doing it. If you are in love with money.... this gig ain't for you.

As a trainer, you will work full time and if you ever venture out into the world of private trainer, you will work more than full time, but, like I said, if you love it, then you will LOVE it!

Later Gaters

Friday, May 9, 2014

What do you EAT?


I eat like CRAP
For the "average American" I eat quite well, but for the industry.... I eat like crap.


I do not eat clean. I do rinse my veggies and fruit and I make sure that (most of the time) I eat off of clean plates.... but I am sure that clean eaters are rolling their eyes at that :)
I don't even know HOW to eat VEGAN. I think vegetarian is hard enough, and then there are two kinds of those fools...... but VEGAN.... I know VEGAS and I can eat in VEGAS, but vegan doesn't even sound at all good, it sounds like a punishment..... not the kind with safe words....

But today, I was asked, "what do you eat for breakfast?"
Let me tell you a secret. 
I <3 LOVE <3 BREAKFAST FOODS
Especially French Toast. Especially at Le Peep. Especially on days that end in "y". I love breakfast potatoes. Especially at Le Peep. Especially on days that end in "y". I love eggs, FRIED eggs...... Especially at Le Peep. Especially on days that end in "y". I love LOVE LOVE Eggs Benedict.... you guessed it: Especially at Le Peep. Especially on days that end in "y"!



I hardly ever get to eat at Le Peep...... so most days, because I am on the go, I eat a protein shake, or a protein bar. Simply because it is easier and it healthier than fast food, which, let's be honest, is fast and easy... I am an american so I like fast and easy :)

Don't get me wrong meal prep is a great concept and I remember my mama (step mom) telling me YEARS ago when I was a SAHM to cook meals on Sunday and freeze for the week so that all I had to do was heat them up on nights when you were busy.... before I go hard right on a completely different topic, let me staaahp and say... meal prep has been around for-ev-er... it is nothing new..... But in the industry it is refereed to as a way to plan EVERY MEAL for the week. It is cooked, prepared, portioned out, boxed up and fridged (it's a word) up for the week.
No way on God's beautiful green Earth am I meal prepping for 4 flipping kids and myself on Sunday, are you out of your freaking mind?
Nor am I spending an entire freaking day doing all that crap-ass work for myself and then STILL have to cook for the before mentioned minions.
oh
hecktotheellno~~~ again a little turn, making conscious decisions not to cus for me, is like you seeing how long you can hold your breath..

So what do I EAT? I eat what tastes good. That use to be fast food all the time, now only when I really have to, most of the time it doesn't not even sound tasty, and thanks to my EX, I know where all the yummy and cost dang near the same restaurants are (not that they are any healthier, just, I mean if I am going to eat bad, why not be delicious?). Now I eat healthy for the average American, but horrible for my chosen industry..... I am like the obese Dr. (can't see his toes) telling you to "get some exercise".... you know he is at risk for diabetes and have borderline high blood pressure, but there he sits, panting, telling you how to live healthy..... Well, I hope I am not THAT BAD...

which makes me wonder.... Why do they even make scrubs in XXX? I mean shouldn't a Dr or a nurse not ever reach a weight that requires XXX? ok so she is a massive body builder and he is an ex linesman for the Texans,,,,, so maybe we need a special order, or a few in a medical supply.... but not at your local every one has them in stock kind of thing.......

I was looking for a pic of a fat doc, cuz... well why not... I found this:

WHAT DOCTOR HAS TIME TO SEW HIS/HER OWN FREAKING SCRUBS? 

"hi honey how was your day?" 
" I did a heart transplant on this guy, he lived, it was rad"
"that's wonderful dear"
"let me know when dinner is done, I am going to be in my sewing room working on some scrubs"
"wonderful"



another turn..... welcome to ADD :)
Decker

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

THINGS THAT IRRITATE ME THAT OTHER TRAINERS DO

I hate hate hate most trainers.
I hate trainers who:
do not correct form
check themselves out in the mirror
who make the client count every rep every time
who point the client to the next ex while they do..... idk know what the trainer is doing
do not correct form
allow swinging
promote bad form
give a client something to do that they OBVIOUSLY are not advanced enough to do
DO
NOT
CORRECT
FORM

I saw ALL of this today within 2 hours of training......
seriously people
the client is PAYING you to set up a workout that challenges them, not injure them.
the client is PAYING you to have knowledge and expertise, not to do what ever the hell you are doing while they do your job 
Yes, it sucks as a trainer to fetch weights, put them up, wipe their sweat, count for them, and all the other gross things we do....BUT IT IS PART OF YOUR FRIGGIN JOB!

It is also your job to CORRECT THEIR FORM
If your client cannot do a front delt raise with 15lbs, then either do not do that ex or use less weight. and by all means GOOD LORD do not put that swinging mess up on a bosu ball for his next set!

Baby Jesus, in your tuxedo Tee.... help me with patience and shut my mouth in public for idiotic trainers who do this!
 (Is there a bible verse or something I should quote here?)

I have clients who are complete bad a**es and can do some crazy fun and extreme things.... but I also have clients who can't do a lunge, so why would I have them do a jump lunge ( I might have them do ski jumps); why have them do one leg suspended lunges (good lord they can't do it with two feet on the ground!).

If your client CAN'T DO A LUNGE maybe use the smith machine to help them learn form, maybe have them take long walking steps (not lunge walks b/c the CAN'T~~~) or IDK something crazy like NOT LUNGE UNTIL THEY ARE PHYSICALLY STRONG ENOUGH! 

When you see someone swinging weights, not making a FULL ROM, leaning and heaving while they lunge or squat.... DO NOT USE THEIR TRAINER, HE/SHE IS A FLIPPIN' MORON.

Ok..... I would like to say that I feel better after my rant, but I don't I honestly just want to slap-a-trainer!

I am off to meet with a new, borderline obese, elderly client... I guess I will have her do inverted shoulder push-ups! Fricking idiots everywhere I go~~~~~~~~~~

Decker


Friday, May 2, 2014

Squats relieve stress

It is true, for me at least....

Great training session with 2 outta 4...... my new buddy group had to reschedule... grrr.....
but my two guys showed up, worked hard and made me happy!
I love when sessions go well and bodies are sore, ridiculous finish faces happen and the sound of..... well it is either a sound of joy: that-exercise-is-done, a sound of I-can't-believe-I made-it or a sound of what-the-hell-was-she-thinking-making-me-do-this-I-am-sure-she-couldn't.... but it is a great sound to hear!!!!!

yada yada the rest of my day and then off to other job.....

These children I supervise make me have wrinkles and ain't no woman wantin' wrinkles.......
So as I am waiting for them to finish counting their money (a more difficult task apparently than it should be) I did squats and lunges..
Because I work in a bar, the office has a couple camera's in it, so hopefully my bosses boss (who spends his free time watching all these recordings) got a good laugh at the (I'm guessing) 200 or so squats and lunges I did while waiting...........

Maybe he will be inspired to workout....

It can be my own workout series... instead of security camera's watching fools foul up robbery's or disgruntled staff, it will be a new workout video series....
It can't be worse than 95% of the ones out there now :)

So I think tonight I will do push ups 

This gives me a great idea: instead of drinking games for shows, I will do EX (my shorthand for exercise) games..... 
I am gonna work on that one and get back to you real soon!

Well I got in at 4am asleep at 430 and it is 750 and I have already been up an hour..... I am kinda wired... I imagine I will crash while at the NJ (night job) later..... fun for everyone!

Later Gater

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Witch-with-a-B

Geesh, it is already Thursday

Click here for FUN :)


I have no idea where the week even went. 

I got a much needed workout in everyday thus far... but not really..
I think when you start off, you can't wait for it to end and then you find out what DOMS is, and you dread the next couple of days post workout more than the workout..... BUT it flips after a while and if you don't get sore, then you know you did not do anything.....

I have not been sore. 

I think i burned a couple of extra calories, but overall, no sore to me means a big ole waste of time to me :( So I am not real sure that I got a workout in...... and I am grumpycatting because it is already Thursday and Today is a busy day... sort of.....

~~more on my non-trainig life- four of my kiddos live with me and go to school over an hour away.... I am VERY lucky, my 20yr old will take the boys when i need her to, and because the drive is so long (that is an hour with out Houston traffic) when I have morning clients, I can't take them. So today she had to take them, and after she only got like 6 hours of sleep
some of you wish you got 6 hours of sleep, but she is the gal that requires like 10..... 
Any who, starting off this very busy Thursday with mommy-guilt that my kiddo had to take her bro's to school so I could train.~~

back to my busy..... back to back clients, which i have today, is a HORRIBLE  idea, but had to happen because of THEIR schedule. So I have yet to start with the four hours of back to back, but already stressing about it.....
mainly because this is the last day until Monday that I will even get a chance to workout, clean, sleep or poop..... eww and haha

the night job, has a concert Friday, so Thursday (today) is clientX4 then food and a workout, then off to get one kiddo from school back home to change and maybe shower...... then to night job. We will set up at 3 am for the Friday concert and be back at the club at 10 am....... leave club at 4 am , drive 45 min home crash and then up and out by 845 so that I can spend all day and by all day I mean 10 am to 4am at the club. 
If your keeping up, tomorrow my daughter will have to take her bros to school again :( BUT I am happy that I have her

Saturday I will have to get some sleep, however, I have kids so lets be honest, a five year old likes to get up and get going, not watch mom sleep!
Sat, I am back at the club at 3 pm-ish until 4 am-ish and then Sunday... sweet sweet Sunday. I hope my exhus is able to get Sunday off and can come up and get them so that I can spend the day recovering from what can only be described of as a hangover..... I don't even drink, but the complete lack of sleep kicks my butt. 
And for all your smart-mouths, I do realize I have not included time for poo

Anyone who knows me will vouch that I am the worst more irritable witch-with-a-b when I am tired.

What this has to do with training or even working out, IDK..... pretty much nothing......

but what ev er!

You want some actual training blah? OKAY!!!

I have one client who I look forward to seeing every time. He is a beast who will try anything I throw at him, he works hard and actually likes it when I challenge him, push him and don't take his excuses, he digs deep to finish what I ask and will even do extra just to shut me up! He is sarcastic, but I love when he works so hard, he can't speak!!! He feeds my inner what ever it is called that makes me mean!!! 

He also inspires me to workout, not because he works hard, is positive or anything like that, but more like..... I need him to do something that is hard, I know he will sit back and play dumb so I have to do some to demo, he knows that I won't just do one, that I will do a few with awesome form and while I talk, then tell him something like, "I did it with one arm while I talked, so I know you can do 10"....... he is an ass, he is the best!

So there you go, actual trainer stuff.....

Have a super awesome weekend, I am sure I will even though I am witchy-with-a-b!

Click here for FUN :)