According to The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, women and men who met with a personal trainer experienced greater gains in strength and muscle size, which can also increase your metabolism and fat-burning potential.
There are many more advantages to the hiring of a personal trainer:
- Accountability- you are 10 times more likely to fit your workouts into your busy life, or to be motivated to complete your workouts, when you have paid for the session AND when you know that someone is waiting for you.
- Plateau's- at a certain point in your weight loss or fitness journey, you may reach a point where you can't shed the extra pounds or get the gains that you are looking for. A personal trainer can help you shoot past these plateau's.
- Getting Started- maybe you just don't know where or how to begin. A certified personal trainer can get you started and take you from the beginning of your fitness, wealth and weight loss goals.
So how do you pick the trainer that works for you? Most trainers will offer a free, no obligation, consultation. This is the opportunity for the two of you to get to know each other: the trainer finds out what your goals are and you find out if you are comfortable with the trainer or not. You want to know if this person can help you reach YOUR goals. During the consultation, ask yourself: are they really listening to me? Do I feel that they can help me reach my goals? Are they knowledgeable? can they answer my questions? Do they have my best interest at heart? What else should you look for?
- Education- Make sure that you trainer is certified by a reputable organization.
- CPR- make sure that your trainer has an up to date certification in CPR & First aide.
- Experience & expertise- make sure your trainer has experience & knowledge with what your goals. This could be from personal experience or field work.
- Medical Conditions- if you have specific medical conditions your trainer should be willing to work with your doctor.
- Availability-Is your trainer available to you for questions?
- Professionalism- Again, are they listening to you? Are they presenting themselves in a professional manner, whether that be with the paperwork they offer you to the way they present themselves?
- A good trainer is NEVER done learning and doesn't know EVERYTHING. Look for a trainer that is not so "full of themselves" that they are not staying on top of their game and are not trying to constantly improve their craft.
A good trainer will give you a good workout. A GREAT trainer will listen to you and take care of you mind and body. The health of a client is a lot more than simply helping you lose 20 pounds or making your biceps bigger. A trainer needs to listen, and focus ONLY ON YOU during your sessions. They should be willing to answer questions and they should track your progress, making changes to your program as needed. Your trainer should be a source of encouragement and motivation.
What are some red flags for trainers to avoid? Beware of trainers that fit the following:
- Doesn't return phone calls or emails. This is something that a reputable trainer will NEVER understand. I wanted to find a reason that this may happen, but couldn't think of a single one, except death.
- Works you so hard that you are in pain for days. A little bit of soreness is normal, if not expected. But you shouldn't be in so much pain that you can not function, or complete everyday tasks. Leg soreness? AWESOME! Can't get outta bed? NOT SO AWESOME!
- Ignores or dismisses your questions or concerns. There really is NO SUCH THING as a stupid question when it comes to your health and your body. Your questions should be answered and you should never be made to feel 'stupid'.
- Not focusing on you. If your trainer interrupts your sessions to talk to friends or answer non emergency phone calls-you need a new trainer. If your trainer is jammin' out on their Ipod during your session-you need a new trainer.
- Recommends questionable supplements or herbs- Talk to your doctor before you take anything!
- Diagnosis injuries or illness-This is your doctors expertise. Always refer to your doctor.
Remember, when you hire a trainer you are entering into a Client-Trainer relationship. Its a dual relationship. There are things that you can do to be a better client AND get the most out of your sessions:
- Give the required amount of notice is you need to cancel or reschedule your session. The time frame required SHOULD be in the contract.
- Save idle chit chat for later. Your session is a time to focus on YOU and YOUR GOALS. Nothing else matters at this time.
- Address any problems that you have with your trainer IMMEDIATELY. Do not let things sit and "marinade". This is the perfect recipe for turning mound into a mountain.
- Bring your own water or purchase it from the facility that you are being trained out of BEFORE your session starts.
- Right down any questions that you have and bring it to your session. You will spend less time talking and more time focused and working out.
- Remember that, while your trainer will guide you, YOU have to put in the work.
As a Nationally Recognized and Accredited Certified personal trainer, I am here to help you reach your fitness, health and weight loss goals. Find out more information about me by exploring my website. www.icufitpt.com or giving me a call: 305-394-2898. I do offer a free consultation, which will allow us to see if we are compatible, and gives me the opportunity to hear what your goals are. If I can't help you, odds are I know a certified trainer who can!
Do not let anything or anyone stand in the way of achieving your goals!
Until next time,
Yours in Health, Fitness, and Wellness,
Karen Williams-deCastro
"Fitness-If it came in a bottle, everyone would have a great body." -Cher
"Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness." - Earl of Derby
"A man's health can be judged by which he takes two at a time- pills or stairs." -Joan Welsh
"True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body- the two are united." - Alexander Von Humboldt
"Money is the most envied, but the least enjoyed. Health is the most enjoyed but the least envied." - Charles Caleb Colton
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