Why I Don't Post Before & After Pics for Personal Training

Nearly every personal trainer in the industry hangs their hat on the 'before and after' pics. This article isn't meant to throw shade at those that do. I want to explain the reasons why I don't do it, even though it's the industry standard. I give clients the option to take those pictures, but they are theirs to do what they want with.

The majority of my training clients are not training for aesthetics. It is nice to look good topless or in the bikini, but I (and most people that train with me) view this as a handy side effect of good training and good nutrition. It is not the main goal. Clients goals differ but, the main priorities for Sport Clinic clients are performance - I work with people that are training to get better at their given sport or activity or are recovering from pain or injury or are training to benefit their health. Looking good in a swimsuit is only going to help your performance if you are a body builder, which is a very specific type of training and requires specific coaching of which nearly all coaches in the field are ex body builders themselves. I am an ex athlete - that prioritised performance and how I feel over aesthetics. If somebody approached me wanting to train to compete in a body building competition, I would refer them to a trainer with more experience in that specific field.

The fitness industry, and arguably on a larger societal scale, has been overtaken with image as the highest ideal due to the vast influence of social media. This is why lots of trainers and clients doctor their images, to appear larger and leaner than they are. Unfortunately this can be quite an effective marketing strategy, but it is not one that I care to partake in. Whether doctored or not, I have always trained for health and performance, the latter in my younger competing days, and the former as I got older and retired from competition. If I looked good doing it.. fine. But this isn't why I train and it's why I don't push it upon my clients.

One thing that I think is missed by the larger population is that some trainers will ask their clients to not eat and dehydrate themselves slightly before the 'after' picture. This isn't healthy both physically or psychologically. Don't get me wrong, not all, but some. I wouldn't want my clients to feel that they haven't made good progress because they don't have a six pack after 8 weeks of training. The factors I want my clients to focus on are - Do they feel better in themselves? Do they have more energy? Are they performing better? Are they in less pain? Can they move better?

These are what I want my clients to focus on, not a photo.

Do you want to feel less pain, feel better or perform better? I offer Personal Training Initial Consultations for just £20. We can meet, discuss your goals and formulate a plan that suits you the best. A lot of my clients train with me once a week and also use the exercise prescription plans I design for them using the software- Rehab My Patient, which includes strength and conditioning as well as rehab exercise. We can take a before photo and an after photo if you would like to, but they are yours to do with what you want.

Any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. or book your appointment now