Curious readers are probably asking, "Why does today's post include a picture of Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy from Star Trek?" That's a great question, and here's my great answer: I included the picture (which was cleverly edited by yours truly) because it sets the tone for today's post. Besides, "Star Trek" is a popular search term, so I'm hoping a few web-surfing Trekkies will stumble on this site and hire me as their personal trainer. (I'm sure they need me because they spend way too much time on the couch, eating junk food and watching Star Trek reruns.) If you're a Trekkie who found this page while searching the Internet, here's a special message from Mr. Spock:
Thanks for the shameless plug, Spock! I'm always amused when clients or random gym members ask me to diagnose a mystery ailment or nagging injury. Maybe they just don't want to spend money on a visit to the doctor. Or perhaps they assume that a trainer knows enough about the human body to provide a reliable diagnosis. Whatever the reason, it doesn't make much sense. After all, you wouldn't ask your doctor to demonstrate a deadlift or explain the difference between pull-ups and chin-ups, so why in the world would you ask a personal trainer to diagnose that baffling case of earlobe pain that occurs whenever you eat goat cheese? (Okay, I made up that one, but some of the real questions are almost that ridiculous.)
Sometimes a client has already seen his doctor, but doesn't like his instructions to temporarily avoid certain activities or exercises, so he asks a trainer for a second opinion. That's a bad idea. If your doctor wants you to avoid lunges or pulldowns or back extensions for a few weeks, he probably has a good reason, and it's not a trainer's job to contradict his advice. Your doctor knows how much recovery time you need after that minor hernia surgery. He knows how long you should take it easy on that severely sprained ankle. Listen to him. I bet he's pretty smart.
I realize that doctors aren't perfect, and they occasionally make mistakes. If you're truly convinced that your doctor's advice is wrong, by all means, get a second opinion, but get it from another doctor, not a personal trainer. A trainer has no business diagnosing a medical condition. It's way beyond his Scope of Practice.
A good personal trainer can help you get the most from the time you spend at the gym. He can teach you, coach you, motivate you, and encourage you. Ask him how to get bigger arms, a flatter stomach, stronger legs or a firmer butt. But whatever you do, don't ask your trainer to diagnose those occasional chest pains, and jaw numbness. Trainers are not doctors.
If they were, they wouldn't spend their days in the gym, telling their clients to "push through your heels" and "keep your back flat." Instead, they'd be wearing white coats and stethoscopes, telling their patients to "turn your head and cough," and "bend over, please."
I consider myself an experienced trainer who's qualified to help motivated clients achieve their fitness goals. I'm very confident in my abilities as a trainer, but I seriously doubt that I could correctly diagnose those painful earlobes. If you're looking for a good trainer (who's NOT a doctor), call me at (559) 871-1658.
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