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Inteview with Highly Sought After Trainer Joe Dowdell Part 2 By: Scott H. Mendelson SHM:There are certain ideal training situations where people do not have jobs or life stress and they are left with more time to train. What is the most they can do in a week? SHM:How do you deal with your clients? First of all, let me preface my answer by saying that I don't necessarily recommend my approach to dealing with clients, but this is how I do it. Basically, in my initial consultation, I explain to them that we may do things a lot differently than they were doing with their previous trainer, etc. I also tell them that I expect them to listen to everything that I tell them and follow my instructions. I inform them that I have fired clients before and that I can easily refer them to another trainer if they are not interested in my approach. I once had a model that I trained who got great results until she went to California to one of these so-called Spas. While she was there, some Massage Therapist/Yoga/Pilates "Guru" told her that weight training was bad for her muscles and it was going to make her bulky and tight. She was impressionable and called me and said that she wasn't going to continue training with me because she was going to start taking Yoga/Pilates. I told her that it was nonsense, but she should do what she thinks she needs to do. I finished the conversation by saying good luck and I'll see you in a year or so. Sure enough, 18 months later, my phone rang and she asked me if I would train her again. I told her that if I decided to take her back as a client, first of all she would have to pay my new rates and secondly that she didn't complain about anything and just did what I told her. She is now an even better and more dedicated client than before and she is working even harder. She will be doing a Victoria Secret Shoot in a couple weeks. SHM: How do you evaluate the client to determine the path to success? The most important thing to get from a client is "Commitment". If you can get a client to commit to you, than you will have a much greater success rate. If a client is not willing to commit to my program, than I will not work with them--personally. I will usually refer them to another trainer.
SHM:Can you tell us about the extensive evaluation system that you have learned from Paul Chek? As far as Client Assessment and Evaluation, I have found the information that I have learned from Paul Chek--either directly or indirectly--to be extremely beneficial. There are many individuals out there claiming that Paul's system of assessment is this or that, but I personally have found the information to be very informative. Most trainers do not work with Elite athletes, but rather they train the general population. Many trainers fail to realize that these athletes have great genetics. In addition, most athletes realize that they may have to compromise what may be good for their overall health particularly down the road-in terms of Joint Integrity-to reach the top level in their sport. But, that is a choice that they make. It is not our choice to make for our clients. There aren't too many studies out there, at least that I have read, that traces the path of these elite athletes after they finish competing. It would be very interesting to see just how many of them have degenerative joint disease, joint replacement surgeries, etc. Plus, I wouldn't be too surprised if the training and conditioning programs of many strength coaches caused the bulk of these athlete's injuries and/or surgeries. Unfortunately, there are too many trainers out there that are trying to employ training techniques and information designed for Elite athletes to their general population clients and often at the expense their clients. Trainers need to realize that most clients simply want to improve their quality of life and look better in the process. SHM:Can you tell us the difference between training a client for performance vs. general health? Basically, I train every client with the intention of trying to improve and/or maintain proper joint integrity and overall health. Although sometimes, we may need to make a compromise in terms of what may be better for our client in the long term for results in the short term. In other words, sometimes our clients or athletes will require quick results. If this is the case, I explain to them up front that we may have to cut some corners in order to accomplish their goal. I will continue on to explain that there are things that I would prefer to address first, but it's up to them. SHM: Do some Trainers cause their clients to have injuries? Too many trainers follow the information given out by some strength coaches-blindly-and since they lack that individual's knowledge, information, experience and assessment skills, they often misapply this information to their individual clients programs. In effect, it would be like a Medical Doctor who prescribes the same medication in every circumstance, it would be malpractice.
SHM: Training Fighters, how is it different from training the average person? I really enjoy training fighters. First of all, their dedication to training is amazing. I have the highest respect for individuals who compete in Mixed Martial Arts fighting. They take part in the ultimate endeavor, getting in a ring or cage going head to head. There is no one to fall back on and it builds character.
SHM: Important issues for fighters, do too many train to look good in the ring as opposed to perform well? First of all, I think many fighters train wrong. Sometimes I read these quotes from fighters that say that they spend 4 to 6 hours training a day and I think top myself who set up this guys training program. Most fighters fall into one of two categories: Over-trained or under trained. Very few fighters are ideally trained. Quite often, they spend way too much time concentrating on the things that they already excel at and not enough time on their weaknesses. I think a lot of trainers as well as fighters could learn a lot from Charles Staley's book: The Science of Martial Arts Training. Hoyce Gracie for example did not look so great, but he beat everyone. Ken Shamrock looked great when he fought Gracie, but it ended up being an even match. Looks are deceiving and may not reveal the level of certain skills. SHM:Who are the best people to learn from as a trainer and average person? I like to learn from everyone who will teach me, although I have to say that I've learned the most from the following individuals: Paul Chek, Charles Poliquin, Tom Purvis, Greg Roskoff, Dr. Mel Siff, Louis Simmons and Dave Tate, Dr. Serrano, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of others, but I just can't remember all of them. This will depend on the perspective of the student as well. You must find the expert in a specific field. No one has all of the answers. You can learn from a wide range of people. Internships are the best way to learn. An hour here and there will be helpful, but to really learn you must spend days and weeks with an expert to make the most of the experience. SHM:What Supplements have you have had success with? I like to utilize Fish Oils {Dale Alexander's Max EFA}, Essential Fatty Acid's {Spectrum's Flax Seed Oil}, Branched Chain Amino Acid's {Beverly International}, Whey Protein {PRD or OSMO}, GlutaCene (PRD)I have found has worked really well with my clients &/or Glutamine {Pro-Lab or Champion Nutrition}, ZMA {Bio-Test}, NitroMine {PRD} and a high quality Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplement {Life Extension Mix}. I just started using a product called Nitromine that someone sent to me and I have gotten great results with it, and I stop taking other things when evaluating a new product. This allows me to try something clean and see if it really works. SHM: What should people look for when selecting a trainer? First, they should look for Professionalism: Second, check out the trainers Credentials: Third, what is their success rate with clients? · Ask if you can contact one of their clients? Finally, don't pick a trainer that you dislike even if you hear that they are really good. The bottom line is that you have to spend time with this person. SHM: Can you tell us about your new facility? I am in the process of negotiating on a 10,000 square foot space in New York City. I'm very psyched because I feel that it will be an amazing facility. I plan on implementing programs and concepts that no one else is doing in New York-at least that I'm aware of. We will be a full service training facility with the emphasis on personal training but we will be offering the following services on-site:
· A Physical Therapy Clinic with a Physiatrist. SHM: What is the best way to contact you? The best way to contact me is through my e-mail address: peakperformance@nyc.rr.com. I will be very busy over the next several months, so please be patient if I don't answer your e-mail right away. I should also mention that I do not provide free training programs. I'd like to finish by saying thanks, I really enjoyed your questions and I hope that my answers will be informative to your readers. Joe Thanks for you time and I am sure that the readers of this site will benefit from this information. I am sure this interview will generate a lot of questions from the readers. Can you answer some questions by email in a Q and A format for the readers sometime? Sure, have the readers send questions to you and send me over a list of questions. Part 1 of the interview click Here Please email Scott SCOTT with Questions for Joe Dowdell LEGAL DISCLAIMER |
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