The 12-Agreements… are you in?

I believe there should be a criteria involved in the client/trainer relationship. I mean, if the potential client isn’t willing to adhere to a certain code, protocol, of philosophy, then the relationship is doomed from the start. I now ask anyone who is wanting to work with me either on the gym floor, as an online/phone client, or as a meal planning client, to agree to these 12-Agreements before we begin. If you are not in agreement… then I’m not the trainer for you. It’s only fair to extend an agreement that is understood from the start to ensure we all prosper.  Additionally, if you currently work with a personal trainer… or are looking into it… I think you should use these 12-agreements to put your trainer to the test. I’ll also throw in a few specific extras as well if the latter situation describes you.

One of the greatest honors and pleasures in my life is the opportunity that I have to share my love and passion for fitness with others. Sixteen years later I am more passionate about this endeavor than ever. I can also honestly say that I have evolved into a far more complete trainer now than when I was younger in the industry. Over the years I have been able to apply, research and completely scrutinize dozens and dozens of approaches to health and physique improvement.  Being a hard training bodybuilder in my twenties, then evolving into more of an athlete later in life has given me the unique opportunity to see so many sides of fitness.  Additionally, working in the trenches with real people every day has also given me complete perspective on how to bring about change in others. Paramount to this is the fact that the road to major change is long and narrow and few will find it. If you believe the “Conventional Wisdom” much of the media describes how to get fit and lose weight… then we need to completely alter your understanding of what works. However, if you believe that peak fitness, performance, and lasting change come at a price, and that the “Unconventional Wisdom” employed by a minority few is the true path to results… then maybe I am the trainer for your journey. The following are The 12-Agreements that every client must agree to before we begin down the road to serious change.

1. There is no magic pill. A strong, fit, lean healthy body is built through hard work, sacrifice, and effort. There will be discomfort.
2. You will have to forget much of what conventional wisdom has taught you about eating, dieting, and performance nutrition. There will be concepts that may appear counter intuitive; however I assure you that they are not. You MUST enter into this relationship with an open mind.
3. That there is a synergy to fitness… and that omitting any portion of the synergy will bring lacking results.
4. You do NOT have to spend hours and hours in the gym to have an incredible body and optimal health.
5. The concept of dieting should be removed from your thinking forever.
6. Not sweating is not an option.
7. 90% of people who crave serious change cannot do it by themselves. You will need a competent coach.
8. You are not a victim of your metabolism or genetics… you are the creator of them. You are in control. But you must act, and act now!
9. There are no quick fixes, and if your desire for change is completely vanity driven, I’m probably not the trainer for you.
10. If you are ready for a serious commitment to completely rewriting your fitness story, and are ready to work hard, sacrifice, and sweat… then I am the trainer for you and look forward to being there with you to see it through.
11. If you crave purpose, victory, and a life greater than what you are currently living, then you will succeed.
12. There is NOTHING that I would ever ask you to do that I would not be willing to do myself.

There it is. Nothing ground breaking… and I think the entire 12-Agreements is really predicated on one simple philosophy. That it takes hard work, serious effort, and an open mind if you really want results.  It’s also critical to understand that nutrition is roughly 80% responsible for a lean, fit body free of unwanted body fat.  If the above 12-Agreements make sense… and you’re willing to abide by them… then by all means you’re ready to begin the battle.

Already have a trainer? Great!  That’s a big step. And if you’re getting results then I’d be willing to bet your trainer would not disagree with anything we’ve discussed up to now.  When I hire a trainer to add to my team… I want not only certifiable fitness supergeeks… but I want them up to speed on a variety of training disciplines that make them compatible with practically any client that walks through the gym door.  Does your trainer have a firm grasp on the following?

Circuit Training?

Met Con?

Progression Circuits?

Periodization?

Interval Training?

Power Training?

Olympic Lifts?

Power Endurance?

Accumulation Training?

Endurance Specific (Cycling, running, triathlon, swimming)?

H.I.I.T. Training?

Threshold Training, or MHR training?

Recovery workouts?

Etc…, etc… etc…

I want my trainers to have an understanding of all these and more. And, this really applies to Number 12 of my agreements. Can your trainer actually DO the workout he or she teaches? Can he/she at any given moment jump out the door and run a 5k with you?  Does he/she regularly engage in workouts on their own that resemble what they do with you?  Or possibly far more intense?  They should be.  Do they understand the concepts around real productive Nutrition? They should.  My team of trainers are a Corp of Elite Soldiers and I am the Master Chief. I would take a bullet for anyone on my team and they would do the same for me. Our goal is to be the best of the best in making certain the clients under our watch receive the very best training and direction possible. If not… then it’s my fault. Not my trainers.

So I challenge you to put the 12-Agreements to the test. Search deep inside yourself and determine if you are truly ready for the challenge before you. And while you’re at it… make certain your trainer/coach if up to the challenge as well.

You’re going to battle together.

I look forward to seeing you  on the battlefield. Til next time…

God bless.

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