"Letting Go of 'Myself,' the Teaching Philosophy of a Supportive Trainer"

My occupation is currently a personal trainer. I support a wide range of body transformations from beginners to advanced individuals. I help those who don't know what to do at the gym alone or those who have joined a gym but haven't seen much change in their bodies. Recently, with the increase in gyms and people interested in transforming their bodies, the term "body makeup" (not in the sense of applying makeup, but improving one's body) has become popular. So, I think supporting this is becoming mainstream. I work as a trainer in a personal gym, not as a full-time employee but as a contractor.

I was involved in bodybuilding competitions myself and found joy and excitement in transforming my body. With the increasing fitness population, I felt a sense of purpose and enjoyment in supporting those who find it hard to take the first step. This led me to become a personal trainer.

In terms of bodybuilding history, this is my second year. I participated in my first competition last year, and in terms of training history, this is my fourth year. Originally, I played baseball and trained for reinforcement, but I noticed changes in my body. This led me to discover the joy of body transformation. A friend invited me to watch a competition, and although I wasn't initially interested, after watching, I thought it was cool and decided I wanted to participate too. It's incredibly fun.

Initially, I considered regular employment. I even received an offer for a regular sales job. However, when I thought about what I truly wanted to do, I realized it was bodybuilding competitions and supporting others as a personal trainer. So, I declined the offer and have been actively working as a personal trainer since my university days.

One challenge I faced was effectively communicating what I wanted to convey. Finding the best way to communicate and the optimal solution was quite difficult for me.

With the increase in personal trainers, many simply teach training forms and count reps. I wanted to differentiate myself, so I focus on reviewing the body from its roots. Instead of just focusing on form, I look at a person's posture and address the root cause. Since training is usually just an hour a day, I believe it's crucial to correct posture and other factors during the remaining 23 hours to see better results.

The most important thing is ensuring there are no injuries. When people start training, they often focus solely on lifting, which can lead to improper form. As a trainer, it's crucial to stop them if they deviate even slightly. Since clients pay and trust me, it's essential to prevent injuries. The primary goal is to avoid injuries and support clients based on their goals and needs.

I've grown significantly, especially in terms of knowledge. Initially, I was self-centered, wanting to share my knowledge. Now, I focus on aligning with the client's goals and needs. Whether they want a relaxed approach or an intense workout, I adapt. The biggest change is aligning my approach with the client's needs.

I feel fulfilled when I help clients achieve their goals. Whether it's physical transformation or specific weight targets like bench pressing 100kg or squatting 140kg, seeing clients reach their goals and celebrating with them is the best moment.

Some gyms offer training, so I wasn't starting from zero knowledge. During my student days, I taught training to other club members, simulating personal training sessions. I also attended sessions by famous trainers, seminars, and absorbed knowledge. When I started training, I didn't feel any lack of knowledge or anxiety.

The difference lies in whether there's a change or not. Professionals can almost always help clients achieve their goals unless there's a significant injury or the client's motivation wanes. If a client follows instructions but sees no change, it might indicate amateur guidance.

One of the great things about body transformation is that there's no age limit. Whether you're in your 20s or 60s, there's always change, so anyone can start at any age.

There are two main reasons. One is when clients join a gym but feel unsure or see no progress. Without guidance, they might stagnate. The other reason is that some clients can't maintain consistency on their own. By training with us, they can learn correct forms and techniques, making it easier to continue.

I feel I can learn from clients. Sometimes, what I believe doesn't align with reality, and I wonder why. I study these discrepancies and update my knowledge. Personal training isn't just about teaching; trainers also learn and update their knowledge daily.

A good trainer aligns with the client's needs. Even if a trainer's knowledge is limited, if clients enjoy training with them or find their teachings enjoyable, it's a strength. Highlighting one standout aspect, whether it's knowledge, bodybuilding history, or enjoyable conversations, can help clients achieve their goals.

Currently, my strongest desire is to excel as a competitor. I have a competition coming up in a month, and I aim to win. Professionally, I plan to leverage this while eventually aiming for independence. I dream of establishing my ideal personal or fitness gym.

I still practice bodybuilding as a hobby, aiming to turn it into more than just a pastime. Since hobbies often help detach from work, I use bodybuilding, which is somewhat similar, to relax. Given the rigors of dieting, I ensure I take a break by soaking in the bath two hours before bed, then completely detach from bodybuilding and work, relaxing with Netflix or YouTube.

I devised it myself. Constantly thinking about bodybuilding before bed led to bodybuilding dreams, which became tiring. I decided to use the bath as a boundary. After relaxing in the bath, I eliminate all stress-inducing elements, ensuring a relaxing time, even if I miss bodybuilding.

The appeal of bodybuilding is the visible results. In the past, bodybuilding was sometimes ridiculed, but now, with its growing popularity, it's become mainstream. The greatest joy is the self-competition. Though it's a competition against others, it's primarily about surpassing one's past self. If you significantly surpass your previous self, it's a win in bodybuilding. It's a competition where you can battle yourself and enjoy the stoic journey.

The joy of celebrating clients' achievements. While many jobs offer monetary rewards, which can be fulfilling, as a trainer, achieving a client's goal brings a deeper joy beyond money. This is the charm of being a personal trainer for me.

I believe they are. Idleness can drive people crazy. If someone were to stay home for 24 hours a day for a year, they'd likely go mad. Work, when done in moderation, can bring happiness. I've never viewed work negatively; for me, work equals happiness.

Find your unique weapon. It could be knowledge, or even if your knowledge is limited, if you can make clients happy or have engaging conversations, there's a demand for such trainers. Develop a unique strength or weapon to become a sought-after trainer.