The Top 5 Mistakes I See in PT Programs (After Teaching 1,000+ Personal Trainers)

Look I’m not here to bash anyone.

But after teaching over 1,000 people to become Personal Trainers during my 7 years as a Fitness and Nutrition Lecturer and now coaching high-performing men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s I’ve seen some common patterns.

Most PT’s genuinely want to help.

But what works for a 25-year-old who lives off protein shakes and has all the time in the world… doesn’t always work for a business owner juggling stress, sleep issues, travel, and a body that doesn’t recover like it used to.

The truth is, many of the men who come to work with me already have a PT.

But they’re still not getting results.

Here are five common things I hear from people working with a PT, habits or approaches that might feel productive, but often hold them back from getting real results:

1. PT’s Training You Like You’re Still in Your 20s

High-intensity circuits. Random unplanned workouts.

New exercises every session to “keep it interesting.”

But no real structure. No progression.

If your training feels like a sweaty punishment, not a performance plan then your body won’t respond the way it used to.

After 40, your joints need more support.

Your recovery is slower.

Your nervous system is more easily fried by life stress.

And building muscle becomes harder but also more essential.

Smart training over 40 should:

→ Prioritise strength and stability
→ Use repeatable, progressive systems
→ Build muscle to support metabolism
→ Leave you feeling energised, not wrecked

This isn’t about doing less.
It’s about doing what actually works.

2. They Ignore What’s Happening Outside the Gym

You can train three times a week with a PT…

But if they’re not asking about your nutrition, your sleep, your stress levels, your step count, or your recovery?

You’re only seeing part of the picture.

Your body doesn’t switch off after your session ends. 

In fact, most of the progress (or lack of it) happens in the other 165 hours of your week.

A good coach asks:

→ How’s your energy this week?
→ Are you sleeping?
→ What’s your step count like?
→ Are you eating enough protein?
→ Are we adapting this to your calendar?

You don’t need perfection.
But you do need a plan that works when life gets chaotic.

3. They Provide No Structure or Strategy Beyond Your Sessions

You show up.
You chat about your weekend.
They count your reps.
You leave.

And then? You’re on your own.

That’s supervision.  

Not coaching.

If your trainer isn’t giving you a clear roadmap outside of the gym, your results will stall. 

Because what happens in the other 165 hours of the week matters more than what you do in the three you spend together. 

A proper fat loss system includes:
→ A flexible nutrition plan with protein goals (not just “eat clean”)
→ Daily movement targets
→ A plan that protects your nervous system so you can train hard and recover fully
→ A timeline that adjusts around your life

Without that structure, you might get a bit fitter.

But leaner, stronger, and more energised?

Not likely.

4. The PT Confuses Variety with Progress

Novelty might make a workout feel fun.

But it doesn’t make it effective.

Progress comes from applying stress to a movement, then doing it again next week with a bit more weight, or better form, or improved control.

That’s what drives results.

Switching exercises every week just to “shock the body” is a waste of time. 

Your body doesn’t need to be shocked. It needs to be challenged with progression. 

Not chaos.

5. They Give You No Long-Term Plan

If your PT hasn’t mapped out the next 3 to 6 months or at the very least explained where this phase of training is leading, that’s a red flag.

Random workouts = random results.

You should know:

→ What you’re building toward
→ What success looks like
→ When to push and when to pull back
→ How this phase helps you move towards your goals

That doesn’t mean things can’t evolve. 

But if your training isn’t part of a longer-term structure, it’ll always feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

Bottom Line

Most Personal Trainers mean well.

But if you’re over 40, doing 3 sessions a week with no nutrition structure, no roadmap, and no changes in how your body looks or feels

It's time to ask better questions and step into a smarter system that’s built for the reality of your life.

That’s exactly what I create for the men I work with:

Clear structure.
Tailored plans.
Visible results.

No guesswork. No burnout. 

Just progress you can feel.

P.S. If you’re not already subscribed to my free newsletter, I share weekly tips to help you lose weight without giving up your favourite foods or doing endless cardio. You can subscribe here.

You can build a strong, lean, focused body at any age. But you need the right tools. If you want help building a strategy that works with your life, not against it, you can start by booking a free call here.