Comments on: Trainers… The Good, Bad and Plain Awful

By: Kelly Allison

Kelly Allison — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:08:53 +0000

Isaac I truly enjoyed reading this article and I want to thank you for some great insight. I think everyone has his/her own style and should be matched up with a trainer that complements them. I train with Kim Oddo not because I want to turn Pro but because he listens to what I have to say, understands my objectives, and believes in me. Kim puts his heart into this sport and that shows in his clients and I believe that the same goes with Mike.

With that said, if you do the simple math of how many competitors are out there and how many turn pro and who they are training with I am certain that the above mentioned trainers would get extremely high scores. Another quick calculation would be to look at how many Pro’s compete at the O and who they are training with…the answer still points to the same trainers.

By: Allison Jones-Williams

Allison Jones-Williams — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:51:43 +0000

As a client of Kim Oddo’s and a friend of Mike’s I can say these two are TOP NOTCH. Online, in town , trans – continent. When you know your stuff, you know your stuff. I swear they can pin point it down to 5 grains of oat meal and an almond if they have to!
Kim goes above and beyond, giving up sleep and his own needs for us. That is a true trainer. I am a PRO and would NEVER DARE train anyone beyond a local highschool competition. I don’t feel knowledgeable or confident enough. I am still using KIM! WHY WOULD I TRAIN SOMEONE else to do what he does for me? I totally loved this article Issac. I think you have helped many rethink what they are doing! thanks…. NOW get writing on that boyfriend/hubby article. SHOULD be a hoot!

By: Ness

Ness — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:17:33 +0000

Great posting. And remember just because a trainer has many visible successful clients, doesn’t mean there aren’t three times as many who are not successful that you don’t hear about. No trainer has a 100% success rate, is all knowing, or has the ability to fix bad genetics.

By: Tara Green

Tara Green — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:31:41 +0000

How could we miss mentioning Carla Sanchez???? SHE IS TOPS!!!!

This lady not only presents some of the hottest bodies on the stage, but she absolutely goes above and beyond her call of duty to help her competitors—!

My experience is to see Carla backstage, tilting her head, eyeing her competitors and then to each one–specific and spot on advice. Every gal has a different recipie for perfection, and Carla tailors to each of us….it really, honestly amazes me that one gal can have a certain food, and another can’t, but another can–only a smaller amount. The decisions are made both in the meal plans and workouts months ahead of time, and then again–moments before stage, tweaking, like someone mentioned above.

She will be honest, but always ALWAYS supportive and positive. She ‘gets it’….she’s been there. Think a trainer is just about your physical progress? I have seen Carla apply where you’re at mentally, to where you need to be, physically and competitively. It matters.

My own most recent experience has been to have her personally help me with the stage presentation in terms of makeup and hair–how many trainers just ‘leave it you the competitor?!’. I didn’t know that kind of personal touch came with a great, busy, and top notch trainer, too! Here she is, a week from National competition, scheduling ME in with HER hair guy–who is beyond busy…to get me in so I look put together for my competition. She shows up, helps to verbalize what I like to him, and I walk out feeling tons better about how I will look on stage. I am forever grateful for her input, because where I lack knowledge or confidence, Carla is right there to fill in the gaps.

I also am both an online client and an in person client because my job takes me all over the world, for about half the month. She has both programs dialed in….you don’t need to be there in person for her to get you where you need to be. Your work ethic is up to you: I think Carla has that perfect combination of diet and workouts to get you there.

I definitely put my competitive future in her hands, and have never looked back. Any article about top trainers should include this lady! See you on the stage!!!!

By: J.M. Manion

J.M. Manion — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:07:01 +0000

Having been a friend of Mike Davies for years, I can tell you he is just like Kim Oddo when it comes to that final prep, especially the last few hours prior to a contest. These 2 absolutely go the extra mile for their clients right up until they hit the stage.

What is really cool is to see them both sitting together in the audience at contests cheering for each others clients while still shouting out advice to each of their own clients. Just watch next week at Jr. Nationals.

By: isaac

isaac — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:58:40 +0000

I interviewed Kim Oddo a couple of times over the years for bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/isaac20.htm

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/isaac111.htm

I’ve witnessed Kim in action and I can only assume Mike is much the same. The night before a show Kim has a sheet of paper with every girl’s name on it, where they are staying, notes about them, their numbers and he is on the phone non-stop. He is able to look at the women and pin-point what they need to tweak, how their suit is fitting, shoes, everything. It are the little details in those final days that so many people overlook. Why work so hard for weeks only to screw it up because of a poor suit cut, bad hair, poor makeup or terrible shoes? All of those details make up the big picture.

By: alyssa

alyssa — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:53:29 +0000

very interesting article…
how about some input from the top 2 recognized trainers
for the industry and get mike davies and kim oddo a little
interview.. how they do things.. and how their proven success
has so many ifbb pros and top amateur athletes under their wing !

great reads isaac, can’t wait for boyfriend / hubby posts……

By: isaac

isaac — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:31:32 +0000

I think online and out of your state trainers can be good however it depends on your needs. Some people are VERY needy and want someone to train with in person. Kim and Mike have proven that it works and they are two of the top for a reason. (BTW it’s ODDO not otto) lol. They each have their own way of working with their competitors. Sending them photos and LISTENING to what they provide has proven results. It’s when a competitor lies or isn’t upfront that things usually go wrong.

It doesn’t work for everyone and quite honestly I give any trainer mad props who can do it. I know I would go nuts trying to work with most competitors.

By: Brigitte

Brigitte — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:13:55 +0000

What do you think about online/out of state trainers?
I kind of think you can’t get the same quality as a live coach, but yet Mike Davies and Kim Otto are successful w/ so many superstars.
How do they do that? Do you have to be a photogenic person for that to work?
Or is it more b/c the competitor is more ambitious and competative so they don’t need as much personal attention?
I had trouble w/ a coach and switched to a homeboy trainer b/c I don’t understand how an online one would be good.
But somehow it seems to work for so many girls.
I always wondered about that

By: isaac

isaac — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:06:46 +0000

Keep in mind I am not saying EVERY pro who trains people shouldn’t be it was a generalization. Some are good at what they do, many are not. Like JM mentioned – asking around and doing some fact checking is your best bet. I always encourage people to ask those who are currently trained as well as formerly trained by people. Many times those who used to be trained by xyz trainer are bitter and pass blame but it isn’t always a one way street. Some times personalities clash and sometimes those who are being trained don’t listen to the trainer – ie listen to the “experts” in the gym.

There are a number of very good trainers in the industry and there are also a number of wannabes, so again like was mentioned above – don’t be afraid to ask.

I was going to write about the hubby’s / boyfriends but my trainer rant went too long.

By: Deb Leung

Deb Leung — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:27:00 +0000

As a Pro athlete, training with a Top trainer, I have always appreciated having an objective eye, and a motivater on my side when preparing for competitions, and photo shoots. I know it is always to my benifit to have a reputable trainer guide you.

Isaac, I also an EAGER to read your next post too on the hubbies/BF’s…:)

By: J.M. Manion

J.M. Manion — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:51:58 +0000

Isaac, I have always found it interesting when pro’s that train people are still being trained by their own trainers. Why aren’t they knowledgable enough to train themselves? So who’s knowledge are you paying for – the pro or their trainer? I’m sure you aren’t going to make a lot of friends with this article/observation, but it clearly gives everybody something to think about. I honestly know of about 10 high profile trainers in this sport that have actually worked with & improved many of the top pro’s & had success helping many NPC competitors earn their IFBB Professional League status. A little bit of fact checking will provide anyone with all the info they will need to truly make an educated decision.

And I can’t wait to read your take on husbands & boyfriends. Been there – done that – still living it with the athlete’s we manage! LOL! Trust me, you haven’t seen nothing yet! LOL!

By: Monica

Monica — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:25:42 +0000

This was a very good article, it helps us non pros to take a step back and look at what and who we are really paying. I have been to a lot of figure and fitness websites and see that they are trainers as well, and want to charge so much, then you come to find who actually trained them and his prices are so much more affordable. So as for us non pros we do need to step back and see are we paying for the name (pro) or really for the knowledge? So thanks Isaac!