As a trainer, how much should I know about nutrition?

It is the responsibility of the trainer to only advocate eating habits they know well. Nothing is black and white.

Even common vitamins can be beneficial for some and toxic to others.  Supplements compound the issue. If your trainer recommends you take a supplement, I recommend you do your own research before buying it — especially if the trainer is the one selling it to you.

Large commissions are paid to trainers who sell supplements to trusting clients. Multi-tier marketing schemes are rampant in gyms across North America. Whether or not the products are effective is not up for debate here. What’s important is that full disclosure is given if the trainer is receiving compensation in any way for the recommendation.

The reality is that most trainers know just as much about nutrition as you do. When you break it down it isn’t complicated:

* Eat breakfast and consistently throughout the day

* Eat lots of healthy fats

* Eat tons of veggies

* Restrict carb intake to before and after your workout.

I realize that I’m over-simplifying the point and the paleo/intermittent fasting crowd may be shaking their heads.

Take a step back and think what’s really important. If everybody followed these very simple rules, the population would be a lot healthier.

So the crux of it is that a trainer’s job is to make sure you have adequate information about nutrition and to help you devise strategies to adhere to your plan. If there’s anything they don’t have advanced knowledge of, or if you have specific needs, it’s their responsibility to refer you to somebody who does.

First, learn more about nutrition, so you can feel more confident discussing food and diet with your clients.

Nutrition is where people 1) need the most help and 2) will see the greatest results.

In fact, including nutrition coaching with your training advice can increase your effectiveness as a trainer by at least five times.

In other words:

* That could be 25 pounds lost, instead of 5.

* That could be 20 points knocked off the blood pressure score, instead of 4.

* That could be 5 inches off someone’s waist, not 1.

That could be at least five times more client commitment, confidence, motivation, retention, and satisfaction… with five times less effort from you just think about.

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• About
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Daniel Yakupka

Daniel Yakupka is an International Fitness Expert with 20 years of experience.

Daniel has been featured in IDEA Health and Fitness Magazine as Top Fitness Professional in Washington DC and magazine contributor, ToddDurkin.com as Mastermind Member in the Spotlight, Fitnessmagazine.com, Ideafit.com,and SparkPeople.com.

Daniel is a ACE certified trainer,MS,WLS,PES,TRX Coach and Nutrition Coach with Precision Nutrition.

Daniel was named Argentina’s most successful personal trainer and worked in the Washington DC Metro area as a Fitness Specialist until 2008 when he opened Fit for Life Fitness In-Home Personal Training Specialists.

Daniel can be reached via email at daniel@fitforlifefitnessdc.com
www.fitforlifefitnessdc.com

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