February 16

From Pro Athlete to Pro Trainer

Comments 8



A note from Nate

I've met hundreds of trainers and while most of them blend together, every now and then someone will stand out amongst the group. Luka is a gifted and interesting coach I'd like you to meet. Enjoy.

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Luka Hocevar

I'm one of the few who has both played a sport at an elite level and transitioned into owning my own strength and conditioning facility. I've also spent enough time at both to realize there's a bunch of dumb shit keeping both (the athlete and the trainer) from reaching their full potential.

The following list is a collection of thoughts based on the things I've experienced throughout my time in pro sports and my current career as a coach. If you have any desire to stand out, you should give them a quick read.

For the athlete:

Stupid programming or no weight training at all

I still can’t believe how many athletes don’t really do any strength training outside of what they do with their teams. (And many pro teams I've been around don't know how crappy their programs are to begin with!)

The players who do get into the weight room to put in work usually focus on “beach” work that consists of biceps, triceps, chest, shoulders, abs and an occasional leg workout on the leg press or smith machine.

When you ask many of the players if they do squats they’ll tell you that they heard they are dangerous. I don’t think it is a coincidence that throughout my career I have seen more athletes have lower body injuries due to muscular imbalances than people squatting!

Focusing on the wrong activities

With so much of today’s news being filled by athletes getting into dumb shit such as shooting themselves, getting caught with steroids, all night partying, you have to question their focus. I know there's tremendous pressure on most athletes but many don’t realize it comes with the job and there just aren't any excuses.

From years of playing professional basketball in Europe, I've seen too many players cut their careers short by not paying attention to their bodies and partying too much during the off season while spending money without thought. And now that they're in their thirties, they have nothing to show and are starting life all over again.

For the coaches and trainers:

Too much business savvy and not enough training knowledge

Some may find this a little crazy since there are still so many trainers who don’t understand the business side of fitness, but what I've noticed lately is that many new guys are just focusing on the business aspect and completely forgetting that their business isn’t going to do shit if they suck or are just an average trainer.

Trainers are creating products without even having a track record of successes, Twittering, Facebooking, and attending endless amounts of business summits.

While all of it’s a great way to get your name out there, if you aren't continuously getting better at your craft (which is training) then you're eventually going to considered a fraud. So, take a step back and think about what you're really offering.

Not caring enough

Many of the trainers I’m around really don’t care about any of their athletes or clients. As soon as the training session is over, the look on their face says it all: "Thank God that's over."

I understand that training people the entire day every day can sap your enthusiasm at times (this is where the business of fitness does come in) but remember that your clients have paid you their hard earned money and you need to over deliver to them.

If you have clients that bullshit and don’t want to be there you need to get rid of them.

I make sure my athletes know I care and I go the extra mile for them, inside and outside the gym. I want them to be better athletes and better people. You won’t believe how powerful going to one of your high-school athletes' games is.

Remember, no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.



Have a question or comment for Luka? Ask away! And don't forget to check out his blog!

Posted Feb 16, 2009 by Nate Green.
This entry is filed under fitness and luka.
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Comments for This Entry

GravatarMatt Ellsworth08:31PM on February 16, 2009

Luka,
I have really enjoyed the content of your YouTube videos, your PDF extra from Built for Show, and definitely your interviews. I have one problem though. Every time I go to your blog it takes a really long time to load. Not sure if this is just me, but it sucks either way. Also, some of the fonts have been a little tough to read as well. I say this because I would love to read it. Maybe you should send out shout over Jason at Ennui Design. Seems to have done well for Nate.

Keep up the excellent work, though. I will keep following.

Hope this helps,
Matt Ellsworth

GravatarJoe12:22AM on February 17, 2009

Luka/Nate,

Do you have any advice for the trainers out there who are so concerned with providing the best for clients and knowing as much as possible before putting out products, raising prices, etc.?

I realize that at some point you have to "just do it," but I was wondering if you have any other tips/ideas for those who are actually nervous of under-delivering or being consider a fraud even if their knowledge level and commitment are light years ahead of many just churning out pedestrian products or using smoke and mirrors to rake in cash.

Perhaps some of it is just a confidence issue that will have to work itself out on its own over time, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

GravatarLuka Hocevar02:31AM on February 17, 2009

Matt,
thanks for following and I'm in the process of fixing that up as I know it needs a revamp. I have a couple of options but I think I'm just going to contact Jason as his I really like his work. Jason if you're reading I will be in contact with you shortly :)

And thanks for the kick in the ass Matt.

Joe,
I think it is definitely has to do a lot with confidence. If you're not confident then nothing in the world can help you. Just think about the people that you have gotten results, do you feel you can do that over and over again?
If you do then keep focusing on getting people great results consistently and also shwoing people what you have done! There is no way that it will go un-noticed and you will get people intersted. I still think there is nothing like word of mouth and refferal marketing when it comes to getting people to train with you.

If you're reading Nate's site then I know you are ahead of 90% of the trainers out there, so believe in yourself, keep getting great results and use different types of media, marketing, etc.. to show what you do.

Let me know if you need any other help.

Luka

GravatarMatt Ellsworth02:31PM on February 18, 2009

Luka,
You are already in the my blogroll so I will definitely keep following. I have a question for you, about programming. I am currently rolling through Cressey's Max Strength, and when I get done I want to start training from the Vertical Jump Bible. I have a couple other exercises I want to work in from Parisi and some from Defranco as well. Anyways, what would you say would be a good split when training for speed and jump power? I currently lift 4 times a week, and I lift very hard. I feel like I could be doing sprints on my off days as a result of cleaning up my diet and foam rolling etc. Forgive me if the answer is obvious or if it is a stupid question, I just don't know if I have program design down yet.

Nate,
You can forward my email to Jason for the finders fee from Luka's new website.

GravatarMalcolm02:48PM on February 18, 2009

Luka/ Nate,

I Firstly, I really appreciate the amount of hard work you guys put into not only yourselves, but how you share your knowledge and information with people. Often time’s people just seem to see the glamour and the result of all the hard work. I have recently committed myself to reaching the best physical shape I can possible attain. After about two years of reading about Health, Fitness, and Personal Development, I have realized that LOVE learning about the field and I would love to share my knowledge with others. I am going to be a personal trainer. I am currently a Business and Economics Major, and I was wondering, any recommendations as to where I should get licensed? Should I get licensed or certified. I’m thinking licensed in order to obtain a higher form of education in the field.
You guys have been such an inspiration, you have no clue.
Thanks
Malcolm

GravatarLuka Hocevar01:53AM on February 19, 2009

Matt,
couple of thoughts:
- First figure out if you are more static or dynamic proficient (is your jump from the spot just as high as a drop jump from a low box or is one or the other higher), so that you can focus more on one or the other in your programming.

- If you are training on a 4 day split then what I would do with my guys is ME lower, ME upper, DE lower and DE/RE upper while making sure that the I am doing all my plyo and reactive exercises before you do the strength exercises.

- Do the sprints on the same days as your max lower body strength (6-8 hours earlier)

- Eat right so that you get your body fat % lower (no one seems to pay attention to this)!

Hope that helped a little

Malcolm,
thanks for the kind words. I'm glad that you are going after what you are passionate about.
I would look into NSCA and NASM (gives you the most possibilities) even though there are other good certs. Make sure you never stop learning from reading, attending seminars/conferences, networking and seeking knowledge from the best in your field.
And mmmmm, don't forget to walk the talk.

Luka

GravatarMichael Moran10:23AM on February 19, 2009

I have hired 5 personal trainers in the 3 years before meeting Luka. Bottom line: Luka is so far above the average trainer it will be impossible for me to train with anyone else. My results have been phenonimal and my respect for his knowledge and willingness to help me achieve my goals is unwavering and unmatched.

As a business man (little brag here..."2009 Aerospace Executive of the Year") I have rarely come across such a focused and profession individual as Luka. He clearly takes the time to know his customer's expectation and strives to insure that they reach their goals. My hat is off to Luka, and my sincere thanks and appriciation for what he has done for me.

By the way, just to show me what he/I could do...he put me on a 28 day diet. I went from 213lbs to 198lbs and from 23.8 body fat to 19.5 (and I won a huge side bet :)!

Be warned though...LUKA doesn't play games...so basically...only serious people should apply! I consider it an honor that he takes the time to work with me, and if you want a sample of what he can do...sign up for his bootcamp...if you can make it one month in his bootcamp you are ready to sign up with the Marines!

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