Photo by Brian Byrd
Adam Coffey (314-387-3275, adcoffey777@hotmail.com) has been a trainer for more than a decade. Part of the professional training team at St. Louis Fitness Club on Hampton, he holds a number of certifications in personal training and nutrition, including specific exercise styles such as Olympic weight lifting and Crossfit. He also recently won the Kansas City All Star Amateur Bodybuilding Competition and took second at the NPC All South Championships. But his interests stretch far beyond bodybuilding: He works with men and women of all ages to create a lifestyle designed to help them lose weight, tone up, or prepare to compete. We recently caught up with Coffey to discuss his ideas and ideals about personal training .
What is most important for you to convey to a client?
It’s important to let clients know from the beginning that they are not investing in a gym or a trainer—rather, they are investing in themselves, and they are worth that investment.
What are the biggest barriers to hiring a personal trainer?
People feel like they will always be uncomfortable, and that simply is not true. A good trainer will make you work hard and hold you accountable, but will know how to motivate you and keep you interested in the workout and the process.
How does the first conversation go with a new client?
I like to get to know my clients on a personal level. I like to know what a day looks like for them, so an exercise plan can be made around their lifestyle. People love it because it is less pressure and works better with their schedules.
Every trainer has that one move that they feel everyone should use to maintain a basic level of fitness. What is the most important move for you?
The dead lift. It uses almost all of the major muscles groups and is very good for identifying imbalances and building an overall strong body.
The Pulse, SLM’s new fitness blog series, seeks to inform readers about the best and brightest in the fitness business. The goal: to help guide you to great workout spots, whether picturesque parks, sweaty gyms, or martial-arts studios.
Writer Brian Byrd runs Train 4 Life Studio, located at 4255 Laclede in the Central West End. A father of three, he enjoys "talking about training, food, and consistency, as well as spreading the word about all the cool venues and people in St. Louis who do what I do.”
