How to Train Rock Stars on the Road

As a trainer in Los Angeles I have had the tremendous good fortune of working with some extremely talented and amazing people. The traits that all of my clients seem to have in common are Drive, Determination and Dedication. They are genuinely there to achieve a goal and are looking to me for guidance. During our sessions they inspire me to always bring my "A" game in order to help them achieve success. This isn't always the easiest thing to do--even when you are at one location with a standing appointment. When you are working with people on the road and traveling from city to city--it can be even harder.



Every summer, for the last 9 years, I have gone on tour with Counting Crows. It is a great gig as a trainer because I get to do my job while traveling all over the country with people I enjoy being around--the other benefits aren't bad either. However, the level of commitment involved is beyond what most people ever even consider.



When I first started doing this, it was a unique situation; I didn't personally know another trainer in my community who had trained a major rock band on the road. I couldn't even figure out how much to charge for my services because I had no point of reference to compare to. Now it is becoming more prevalent. This year, Maroon 5 was co-headlining with Counting Crows and they had a Yoga instructor out with them. Since I have now been asked by trainers how to get involved in this area of the business, I thought it would make sense to write this article.
Here are few things you need to know if you want to train rock stars on the road.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Advanced credentials and resume in the fitness industry
• Contacts and referrals from people in the music and entertainment industry
• Great reputation and proven track record for getting results
• Laptop computer
• Strong Will
• Focus
• Discipline

1. Get a signed contract before you agree to take the gig. This is important because you need to know that you will be protected and compensated adequately for whatever amount of time you have to give up away from your life and your regular clients. Remember, you are not only getting paid for your expertise and time, but you must also factor in several other variables. Things like loss of opportunity while on the road, potential loss of a percentage of your home-based clientele, having to be away from friends and family--all play a role in what you agree to in your contract.

2. From the first day you start, always be flexible. This translates into many areas. You must be flexible in your teaching and coaching methods, flexible in scheduling the artists for their daily workouts, flexible in the level of intensity at which you train them, flexible in your availability throughout the day--and most importantly--flexible in your thinking. Always be able to think outside the box to come up with solutions to even the most simple logistical challenges.

3. Research your destinations if possible before you arrive to train. This is important because you have no way of knowing what type of facility is available from hotel to hotel or venue to venue. Check your tour book for the names of the hotels and venues, then get on the Internet and find out what kind of gym each hotel has or physically inspect each facility as soon as you arrive (before your first appointment).

4. Log all of your workouts. Make sure to keep a journal of each one; this way you can monitor progress and have a record of what you did with each artist, so that you can make adjustments when necessary.

5. Keep a positive attitude. On the road, things come up that can throw you for a loop. There may be a day or two when scheduling band members may be impossible because of meet and greets, photo sessions, interviews and long drives to the next venue--don't get discouraged. Also, there are times when the pace is so grueling and you literally have been in three different states or major cities in a 24-hour period--don't let it get to you.

6. Always be first. Part of what is involved is being able to do your job and then pack up your gear, your suitcase, get checked out of your hotel room and loaded on the tour bus--ready to go to the next venue or location. This is a group effort involving a lot of people--and even more if you count the fans at the venue--never keep anyone waiting.

Tips & Warnings

• When in doubt, ask the tour manager. He is the one who coordinates everything to do with logistics on the tour.
• Do your best to get the artists to commit to as close to a regularly scheduled time slot as possible.
• Be as friendly and courteous as possible--once you are out there, the band, crew, tech people and the caterers are all part of your team. Be good to them--and they'll be good to you.
• Be professional and don't get caught up in the hype.

Resources

• Joe Rivera's Focus(Center)Fitness

[bowen2680]

on 11/5/2008 Sounds like you could start a referral business for other bands!

[AudreyBrown]

on 10/28/2008 Well, I'm fairly certain I'll never have to use your advice...but still, good work. Nice yoda quote too.