She must know anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and physics. That trainer must have an understanding how muscles and joints work. When you hire a personal trainer, you trust that he or she has obtained a reputable certification. Most people with any fitness knowledge would read this and agree that Jack should be fired as a personal trainer. I hate to break it to you…but you have just been swindled. He tells you he is giving you a solid upper-body and core workout, and you believe him and pay him your money and set your next appointment. First you do traditional crunches by sucking in your abs and driving your ribcage downward, and next oblique crunches by pulling your ribcage down to the left and right…all while sitting upright with your hands on the table. Yes, it feels and looks silly, but you do them because, well, he’s the “expert,” isn’t he? Next, Jack tells you to “crunch” while sitting upright at that table.
Jack then sits you down with your hands on a table in front of you and has you do push-ups. You look at him doubtfully, but he smiles and says, “Trust me!” So you do dozens of biceps curls and shoulder presses and a few other exercises until your shoulder muscles are burning so much you can barely lift your arms. At your first session, your trainer, Jack, hands you 1 lb weights.
