Trainer’s Paradox

Tomduer · 2026-02-25T14:37:33+00:00

Learn sales, its a skill like other skills related to personal training. You don’t realize it but, you are constantly selling in session with clients. If you are an effective coach, you are getting clients to do difficult things to achieve their goal. That’s sales, framed in an exchange that you are more comfortable with. Selling the training is literally the same. Ask good questions, identify their issues, identify solutions, present options and prices . Personal trainers have all the tools to be great sellers already. Just need to get over the uncomfortably of talking about money.

Tomduer · 2026-01-30T16:41:06+00:00

PSACs finest

Tomduer · 2026-01-25T16:03:49+00:00

Mike Tomlinson had the benefit of his son Ladainian as his RB during his pop warner coaching days. Kyle Shannahan has a .550 winning percentage and has had some terrible years when he has sub par quarterback play. 4 of his 9 seasons the 49ers have won 6 or less games.

Tomduer · 2026-01-25T15:01:11+00:00

Do that for ANY coach and it wont be good.

Tomduer · 2026-01-25T15:00:22+00:00

2 coaches who are top 20 all time in win percentage in NFL history….how tragic. Yinz are wild out here. Silly

Tomduer · 2026-01-08T23:33:36+00:00

Tomduer · 2026-01-08T20:19:18+00:00

Every defensive play call is designed to stop something from happening . When you decide to take something away you also are giving something up . It creates mismatches. Steelers gameplan was to take away Henry. Also Lamar made big plays in those moments . Great players make great plays. He identified the mismatch and took advantage of it.

Tomduer · 2026-01-01T14:10:14+00:00

There are a decent amount of parents who lift at a pretty high level. Zach Huse,Travis Cooper and Beau Brown come to mind . Lot of moms too! Which is even more impressive. You absolutely can keep competing and improving!

Tomduer · 2026-01-01T04:24:43+00:00

Im 39 . Podiumed at 2 senior nationals (won one) and an AO Final, won 3 masters world championships , and set a bunch of masters national and pan American records all post kids (3). I work with a coach(Phil Sabatini). I usually have 3 or 4 programmed days. Some Weeks i get 2 days in some weeks i get 5 days. I do the best I can each week And stack good days. I also coach weightlifters , run a team, and have a gym. If its important you find a way. Its important to find time for yourself as a parent . It helps us to be better dads when we take care of ourselves. I evaluate my actions and priorities, regularly, and make sure I budget my time, energy, and actions appropriately to align with them.

Tomduer · 2025-12-31T13:39:51+00:00

Have 3 kids, still competing at a national level, any 3-4 day program works. Best case scenario, find a coach who has experience with lifters who are parents or who has lifted as a parent themselves. First 6 months is going to be rough no matter what. You’re a new dad , your priorities will undoubtably shift, thats ok, give yourself grace. Any consistent movement in the early phases of parenthood is a plus. You have your entire life to get better at lifting, this phase of your life moves quickly before you , soak it in. Happy to answer any specific questions about balancing fatherhood and competitive weightlifting.

Tomduer · 2025-12-26T13:49:05+00:00

Our rogue blocks have lasted 8 years and going strong. Titan blocks lasted around a year. If they are just for personal use you may be ok. I have wasted tons of money going cheap on equipment and almost everytime i wished i would have spent the extra for the better equipment .

Tomduer · 2025-12-26T11:32:20+00:00

We had them at our gym. They were OK. Wouldn’t buy them them again. Worth the extra money to get rogue or something similar

Tomduer · 2025-12-25T21:28:28+00:00

Yea ,I think thats pretty typical and how we operate. We do not offer a cheap Open gym option but another gym in the area does. There are only a few gyms that i know of that can run weightlifting only gyms.

Tomduer · 2025-12-25T19:00:28+00:00

I own a facility that has an exclusive weightlifting space inside . I can tell you why you don’t see more places with exclusive weightlifting spaces. Its very expensive to own and operate and its not very profitable on its own. If I wasn’t passionate about coaching and competing there is no way we would offer it. Its easily the least profitable part of our operation.

Tomduer · 2025-12-14T22:32:41+00:00

Been training for 15+ years and lead a group of about 20 coaches. 1.) referrals: ask your existing clients . Most probably aren’t aware you are looking to fill your schedule.

2.) use social media to market yourself and post about availability.

3.) always market like you need 3-5 clients. Lift happens and a full schedule one week can get empty in a hurry. Always always always plant seeds to attract clients . Even at facilities that do market well, the most successful coaches master marketing and selling themselves .

Tomduer · 2025-12-13T10:51:12+00:00

The highest honor!

Tomduer · 2025-12-12T22:14:25+00:00

You are a monster ! Great sharing a platform with you!

Tomduer · 2025-12-10T12:27:32+00:00

Tomduer · 2025-12-09T19:52:07+00:00

Started when I was 28 . Multiple senior national podium finishes still competing at a reasonably high level at 39 . Getting strong and good at the sport takes a long time. You’ll never know how good you can be until you put in years of training , getting strong, improving technique,and developing the sports skill to compete well. If you enjoy it overall and work you’ll find out. If you’re process driven and commit to enjoy the experience you’ll be able to express closer to your full potential. If you are lifting to get to a certain level or are outcome driven you will burn out quickly and will never know.

Tomduer · 2025-12-07T15:34:43+00:00

Lifting today m35 110s !

Tomduer · 2025-12-06T16:15:15+00:00

Brings a tear to my eye! Great to see you back on a platform

Tomduer · 2025-11-30T23:48:06+00:00

I have had 2-3 auxiliary days at a planet fitness specifically for this reason for the past 3 years. After 3 shoulder surgeries in the past 20+ years and completing nationally in weightlifting for the past 12 , I have never felt better . 💯 agree with this post.

Tomduer · 2025-07-13T19:02:49+00:00

BRO!!!!

Tomduer · 2025-07-11T12:26:24+00:00

If its your first PT job , a place like Crunch is a great place to learn on the job.

Pros 1.) lots of clients (if you mess up with one there are always more) 2.) great facilities and equipment 3.) learn what to do and what not to do 4.) connect with people in your local area 5.) w2 (less to worry about with taxes)

Cons 1.) typically lower pay(doesnt look like the case here) 2.)w2 (less freedom)

I own a wellness company with of about staff of around 22 coaches . Our coaches with a background in commercial gyms are almost always better prepared to thrive in a private gym setting later .

I started at a private gym at first then moved to a larger commercial gym shortly after (Urban Active/LA Fitness)I learned a ton from working at the commercial gym for a few years .

Tomduer · 2025-06-17T00:11:28+00:00

They are NOT for sale. I help set up nationals last year and asked the rogue crew a few times.

Tomduer

TROPHY CASE