Michigan
based Personal Trainer, Jimi Varner will help you to achieve a lean, strong,
healthier body. By giving you the essential tools for success, you'll be
empowered to lose weight, build muscle, increase energy, and fine-tune your
daily health regimen with effective, yet simple & practical techniques. For
those seeking the best results possible.
I am a full-time Personal Trainer, Lifestyle & Weight Management
Consultant, and Corporate Fitness Consultant in Michigan. I make my living
‘in the trenches’, getting regular, everyday people rapid results. For the
last six years, I have worked 60+ hours a week in the gym. I don’t have a
base salary, so as they say, it’s ‘put up or shut up.’ I am paid on
commission, so if people aren’t getting results, they won’t train with me,
and my bills don’t get paid.
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Jimi
Varner on
100.3 FM WNIC Radio
June
2008 Interview - Click below
August 2008 Interview -
Click below
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WDIV
Ch. 4 in Detroit covered Jimi Varner training
Detroit's own Chuck
Gaidica
for the Navy Seals Fitness Challenge.
Watch
the video below for more on this challenge!
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Before
I was a Personal Trainer,
I was a Professional Wrestler. I was trained by the star of MTV’s
Tough Enough, Al Snow. For six years, I was known as “The Comeback Kid: Jimi
V”. At 5’6” and roughly 165lbs, I held numerous national titles and was able
to excel in a ‘big man’s’ sport by staying in ‘Speedo-friendly’ shape year
round. From 1994 – 2000, I was able to improve my physical conditioning each
year by learning how to stay lean while traveling, living in hotels, and
eating most meals at fast food restaurants.
I am the Author of, “The Dieter’s Deliverance: Breaking the Chains of
Bondage”. In this book, I prove why diets don’t work in the ‘real world’,
and that it’s okay to enjoy not-so-healthy foods in moderation. This is my
second book. My latest title, "A Trainers Dozen: 13 Principles for
Personal Training Success" was written to help would-be Personal
Trainers to reach their potential and earn the money they deserve. (see
products link)
I have also served as a Judge for both men’s and women’s Bodybuilding
Competitions. Promoters of these events tend to pick judges who have a
trained eye for detail and know what it takes to achieve superb,
professional-level, physical conditioning. I have had my body fat down to
3.2%, so if there is one thing I know; it’s how to help you lose body
fat. I am available both at our facility, The Sports Club of Novi, as well
as for limited home training.
I am a Public Speaker, having lectured to corporate and church audiences on
topics ranging from my book, to behavior modifications, as well as effective
fat loss strategies.
By far, I find working one-on-one with clients to be the most fulfilling.
Unfortunately, there is a trend in the fitness industry.
On most days, it’s a familiar story that goes like this…. I’ll see a gym
member training regularly, making solid progress, and then suddenly, they’ll
disappear from the gym all together. After a period of time, out of the
blue, they reemerge. Now, they are in the gym several days straight, usually
10lbs heavier than when they left. They will be performing one, sometimes
two workouts a day, in an effort to get in shape before their ‘big day’
event. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, we’ve all been there.
Personally, I have experienced both extremes: obesity and superb
conditioning. At 21 years of age, I weighed over 200lbs with a 40+ inch
waistline. Today, at 34, I am in very good shape, having learned how to
never let myself go beyond 5 – 8lbs of my goal weight, I am committed to
remain a few pounds away from my photo-friendly condition, and never stray
beyond that. You see, there are consequences if I don’t stay in shape. If I
get chunky, bad news spreads fast, and nobody wants to hire a chubby
trainer:)
Listen, I realize that you’ve got commitments, priorities, etc... I am
not going to make assumptions and say that it’s because of a lack of
commitment if you can’t get into great shape. I don’t know your individual
situation. Yes, life matters can sneak up on you, I simply want to help you
look your very best!
Take control of your health and
wellness with the help of Jimi Varner.
For almost a decade, Jimi has helped
people from all walks of life to
reach their body transformation
goals. Through his efforts as an
Author, Corporate Fitness Consultant,
Certified Personal Trainer, &
Lifestyle & Weight Management
Consultant, Jimi backs up his words
with 'real world' everyday application
of his principles at 34 years old,
maintaining 6.5% body fat, along
with six years of experience holding
multiple light heavyweight championships
as professional wrestler, Jimi V.
He has lectured extensively to consumer,
corporate, and church audiences
on topics ranging from behavioral
modifications to effective fat loss
strategies to providing information
about dietary intake & other
health and wellness topics. Jimi
trains his clients at the Sports
Club of Novi, located in Novi, Michigan.
Jimi Varner is an American Council
on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer.
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11 Biggest Mistakes New Personal
Trainers Are Making!
11 Biggest Mistakes New Personal Trainers Are Making
by Jimi Varner
After almost a decade in the Fitness Industry, I've seen many personal
trainers with potential come and go. Many of them start off optimistic, but
quickly get discouraged when their dreams of making a good living as a
trainer don't materialize.
I've heard Alwyn Cosgrove say that less than 5% of Personal Trainers are
financially independent. Consider the fact that the median annual earnings
of personal trainers and group exercise instructors was just $25,470 in
2004. The average Personal Trainer barely earns $30,000 a year and 50% don't
even bother to renew their certifications! This doesn't have to be. Here are
11 of the biggest mistakes I see new personal trainers make when starting in
the industry:
MISTAKE #1: They are not in shape - Before personal trainers expect anybody
to take your advice, you've got to take it yourself! Lead by example. Back
in the mid-1990's, I was approached by a gym manager and asked to train his
members because I was in great shape and people liked me. In the eyes of the
general public, that qualifies you to train them despite the certifications
and letters after your name. Yes, I was hired on looks, not my
certification. I'm not saying it's right, but it's true.
MISTAKE #2: Personal trainers lack confidence - They don't practice what
they preach, and it shows up as a lack of confidence. It's hard to convince
someone of the benefits of healthy eating habits and exercise if you aren't
experiencing them yourself. If you believe that what you are telling others
is effective, why aren't YOU doing it? If you live the lifestyle, you will
say it with confidence.
MISTAKE #3: Personal trainers aren't consistent with their clients - Be
consistent FOR them, don't expect consistency FROM them. By this, I mean:
show up on time and be prepared with a program. Why do you think McDonald's
is so successful? Because when you go to McDonald's, you know exactly what
you're getting. There are so surprises, and people take comfort in that.
They know what to expect. Now, they may not show up on time and might come
in hung over from time to time, but remember, they are a paying customer.
They aren't perfect, cut them some slack.
MISTAKE #4: Personal trainers aren't sensitive to the client's needs -
Remember, it's not about you, it's about them. When a client comes to see
you, you must meet them where THEY are emotionally. That means you must
become a Thermometer, meaning, you reflect their mood, you adjust to them.
Once you're on the same page, you can adjust the temperature in the
environment by becoming a thermostat. It's a process. So become a
thermometer, THEN a thermostat.
MISTAKE #5: Personal trainers talk too much, about themselves - As a
trainer, you must learn to listen before you speak. By actively listening to
your prospective client, you will understand exactly what they want, which
is everything you need to sell them what they already want to buy. Don't
sell something they aren't buying. People hate to be misunderstood.
MISTAKE #6: Personal trainers fail to specialize - Initially, you should do
a little of everything, until you find your niche. It will take some time,
but with enough experience, you will realize what type of client you
attract, and most importantly, what client base you enjoy working with. Once
you identify your niche, focus all of your efforts in that direction. People
want to work with the best, don't be average. I've heard it said that
average is the worst of the best, and the best of the worst.
MISTAKE #7: Personal trainers fail to document successes - Each client is
going to have unique needs and will respond differently to your exercise and
eating recommendations. It is important to discover what's working and what
isn't. Without documentation, it will be a guessing game over and over
again. With time, you will be able to take more educated 'guesses', which
will bring faster results to clients, creating happier, more satisfied
customers.
MISTAKE #8: Personal trainers don't know why people hire them - The simplest
way to find out why a client hires you is to ask them. People hire trainers
to solve problems. Do you know what their problems are? Why do they think
YOU can solve them? You need to listen to your clients AND those around them
for clues.
MISTAKE #9: Personal trainers try to sell sessions instead of themselves -
Customers aren't buying personal training sessions, they are buying an
experience with you! If your prospect doesn't believe that you've got what
it takes to get them to their promised land, they won't put their
hard-earned money down. Learn to sell yourself, not your service. We
instinctively resist sales pitches, we tune them out. But when you simply
treat others with respect and don't come off as high-pressure or fake,
you'll close the deal much more often.
MISTAKE #10: Personal trainers act like they know it all - One of the
biggest mistakes I see new trainers making day in and day out is thinking
that they need to know everything about training to impress or keep clients.
Nothing could be further from the truth. People admire honesty. Believe me,
they don't know EVERYTHING there is to know about their profession, and they
won't expect you to either.
MISTAKE #11: Personal trainers fail to set boundaries - The best way you can
show respect to your client is by setting boundaries early. This is
essential to keeping the lines of communication open. Setting clear
boundaries with potential clients and other gym members is also important if
you want to be taken seriously as a professional. There is a difference
between giving tips and giving advice.
For more information on deadly mistakes personal trainers make, check out
Jimi's new book, "A Trainer's Dozen"
Before
I was a Personal Trainer, 
I am a Public Speaker, having lectured to corporate and church audiences on
topics ranging from my book, to behavior modifications, as well as effective
fat loss strategies. 
