Over the years I have been on the receiving end of numerous passive-aggressive comments, multiple nasty DMs (especially during COVID-19), and tons of hyper-critical opinions about how I conduct myself as a Trainer/Coach and Small Business Owner. And if I were to be completely honest, I LOVE it!

Now obviously no one enjoys being shamed, harassed and/or ridiculed on a regularly. However, I would be lying if I said that I don’t enjoy stirring up the pot and creating a little controversy from time to time. And if I have an opinion on a certain subject or topic – regardless of how unpopular that opinion might be – I’m not going to refrain from offering it. With that being said, I do understand that there will always be people who disagree with my core values and my beliefs. And I also accept that and respect those that think differently than me (Yes, I’ve still got love for all you Anti-Vaxxers who attacked my character with all your hateful DMs these past few years). But recently, I received a comment from an online follower that has stuck with me for the past few weeks. The comment wasn’t mean or distasteful. It was a very rational question that was made under an astute observation – “Do you only care about making pretty physiques?”.

Meeting, Managing & Exceeding Expectations 

When I first began working as a Personal Trainer/Coach I was very careful about how I marketed my services to prospective clients. I didn’t want to guarantee results, nor did I want to make promises that I could not keep. I’ve always believed in being transparent and realistic with my clients when it comes to meeting, managing and exceeding their expectations. The only promise that I have ever made to my clients is that I will always work my hardest to help them achieve their target health and fitness goals. The only guarantee that I have ever provided to anyone is that I won’t ever give up on them as long as they are willing and dedicated to putting in the necessary work needed to achieve their goals.

I never have nor will take credit for my clients’ results and/or lack of results. As a Trainer/Coach, it’s my job to motivate, educate and hold my clients accountable for both their workouts and their diets. I cannot force someone to train more intensely, nor can I control which foods a person chooses to allow into his or her body. I can however provide the necessary tools, guidance and blueprint required to help someone take their health and physique to a higher level.

Who Is Your Target Audience?

This is a question I asked myself numerous times when I  first started my Personal Training Business. At first, I wanted to offer my services to everyone. However, I quickly realized that my style of training is not designed for everyone. Some people want to be Powerlifters and only care about increasing their lifts in the gym. Other people prefer training purely for function and therefore might be better suited for strength and conditioning workouts offered throughout CrossFit. Then you have your Cardio Kings & Queens of the world that might prefer workouts that are focused on training endurance and perhaps even burn the most amount of calories in a single session. These types of people usually enjoy the workouts that can be found in workouts such as Orangetheory, Congee and/or Spin Cycle Classes.

Well, truth be told, I have never had any desire to lift heavy weights in the gym. I would rather look like I could lift 1000lbs than have to lift 1000lbs. And to be honest, I have no idea how to swing a kettlebell, perform a handstand, or use a TRX. And to be fully transparent, the idea of running on a treadmill surrounded by flashing orange lights, while listening to music designed for an ecstasy rave for an hour makes me want to start day drinking again.

If/when potential clients are seeking these types of workouts, I simply refer out as all the above are far beyond my scope of practice.

Do I Only Care About Aesthetics?

It’s no secret that my love for bodybuilding is what attracted me towards working in the fitness industry. And although not everyone wants to be a competitive bodybuilder, the majority of clients that I work with hire me because they want to build muscle, decrease body fat, and become overall more healthy and fit. And in my opinion, bodybuilding is the absolute best type of training/lifestyle to follow if your goal is to improve your health while transforming your physique for the better.

Bodybuilding is not just something you do in the gym. It’s with you 24/7. The foods you eat, the amount of rest and sleep you get, and how you structure your training split, all impact the quality of your workouts. There is nothing more motivating than to see significant changes in your physique and experience positive feelings in your health. And all this can be achieved through consistent training and intelligent dieting which is really what bodybuilding is all about.

So, do I only care about making pretty physiques?

No, of course not. But I would be lying if I said that it’s not important to me that my clients feel better about themselves both physically and mentally. And I honestly see nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel good about yourself. I don’t think we should ever body shame, anyone. However, at the same time, I don’t think we should celebrate obesity, support inactivity and promote sedentary lifestyles either.

“Bodybuilding is an art, your body is the canvas, weights are your brush and nutrition is your paint. We all have the ability to turn a self-portrait into a masterpiece.”
Kai Greene

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance