Are you getting your money's worth?

I was at the club where I train the other day when I heard one of the other trainers exclaim to her client, "I found a great new exercise in Shape magazine. We're going to try it out together."
I wanted to puke on the spot. There are so many things wrong with that statement; things that affect my business, the perception of my profession, and the perception of training in general.
1. If you hire a trainer who is getting your workout from Shape, Self, Muscle & Fitness, or any other consumer magazine, fire that trainer on the spot, buy a subscription, and use the savings to buy something nice for yourself, your spouse, or better yet, feed the homeless. That trainer shows no creativity, imagination, nor professionalism.
2. There really isn't a NEW exercise. There are variations of old exercises. There are new fads. But there isn't anything NEW. In fact, in most instances, old is better. We exercised for function and movement, not to balance a bowling ball in one hand while standing on an upside-down BOSU.
3. Trying out an exercise WITH a client for the first time is not only risky, it is unprofessional. And in the case of this trainer, she was doing the exercise RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE CLIENT, without paying attention to the client's technique. The client is not supposed to pay for the trainer's workout. The client is supposed to get undivided attention.
These are things you won't see with a true professional trainer. As an RKC, I have access to the greatest network of fitness professionals in the business. These professionals answer my calls, emails, and text messages, and provide information and training you won't see in a consumer magazine.
As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist I receive technical, peer-reviewed publications that are science based. These journals are not slave to advertisers, so there is no bias. Just facts that I can use to back up my training protocols.
While the NSCA network of professionals is not as open as the RKC network, the exchange of ideas is very prevalent. I have visited other trainers' facilities in Florida, South Carolina, California, Texas and Tennessee as a means of gaining insight into the best possible programs for my clients. Sure, flying to Tallahassee is more expensive than driving to the newsstand, but it is more than worth it.
If your trainer is not actively pursuing programs designed to improve him as a trainer and you as a customer, fire him. And look for a professional that will take those steps.
Here is a great place to start:

http://www.dragondoor.com/rkc/