The excitement has started to wear off just a little bit. I was so ecstatic to get real clients, but I had no idea how much work I would have to do. The actual instruction is very fun, however the video analysis afterwards and the results I have to do take a long period of time. I have to watch the video, then take a picture where the player is in an important hitting position, then put the pictures on a words document, and finally I have to draw red and yellow lines where the player is doing good and bad. This entire video process takes at least two hours for every hour hitting session I do. This is very hard to keep up with when I my school work is also kicking into full gear. The good/bad part also is they bought ten sessions, which means I received a good paycheck but also have to do this for the next ten weeks.
This week was by far the most exciting week I have had so far. Kevin has known me for a while now and has given me the OK to start spreading my wings a little bit. Since I can't actually train athletes like he does, because I just do not have enough knowledge, he has given me the freedom to teach baseball two out of the three days I come in and the other I will still shadow him. We also discussed a schedule where he knows I will be there at least every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday and if he needs me on other days I will try and be there.
The other exciting thing is both of the hitters I worked with last week: Elliot and Sam purchased 10 more hour hitting sessions! With the money I earned I also went out and bought I video camera so I can video tape my players hitting and show them what areas they can approve on or what areas they are doing well. I also received two more in-fielders that want to work with me on Saturday's! I'm so excited to now have a set schedule and clients for personal instruction.
This week had its ups and downs for me personally. Since I never eat my dessert first I will let you hear the bad news first. There are some parts of this job that are very boring, especially when nobody is at the gym and there is a lot of sitting around and I get pretty bored. However, Kevin has been doing me a huge favor and spreading my name around the gym, and I received my first two real hitting clients. I worked with both of them on Tuesday and hopefully they will buy lessons in the future. Kevin gave me the idea of giving hitters a free session, because he said many people don't want to pay until they know what they are getting in return. I also did my first in-fielding instruction. For those of you who are not familiar with the term in-field in baseball it is all of the players standing in the dirt behind the pitcher. This is what I played in college so it is what I am most comfortable teaching/coaching high school players, position wise.
My first week was better than I could have possibly imagined, and I am learning so much already. I have been through all of the workouts I see Kevin doing with his various athletes and it is very interesting to see it from the Personal Trainer's point of view. Also, I am able to identify with the athletes he is training because I know exactly how they're feeling and how hard it must be for them. Kevin also noticed this and told me he wants me to try and pick up on if the athletes are actually tired or are faking it to get done faster, and to also try and notice if the athlete is giving 100%. Also, I did my first hitting instruction with four high school baseball players Christian, Sam, Elliot, and Brock. All of these players are from my home town and Christian is actually my younger brother. I know it is early, but I really believe I have found my niche here with being a hitting instructor.
My first day was Friday, September 7. I had already been familiar with the Next Level Fitness organization, because I had trained there for the past four years so I came in and hit the ground running. I watched head trainer Kevin Blankenship carefully and took notes as he trained different athletes in various sports.
