If you've signed up to work with a personal trainer to help you reach your fitness goals, knowing what to expect and what to do can help you get the most out of your sessions. Personal trainers are fitness professionals who work with clients to offer guidance, encouragement, support and personalized exercise programs. Knowing how to work with your trainer can help you communicate well and work together toward the common goal of your health and success.
Step 1
Communicate your fitness goals clearly. Tell your personal trainer what you want to achieve in your sessions, and set measurable milestones to work toward. If you want to lose weight, for example, say you want to lose 2 lbs. a week for a year.
Step 2
Tell your trainer if you feel overworked, exhausted, in pain or overwhelmed. Sometimes a personal trainer may push a client too hard, not knowing how the client feels or that the exercise is too intense. If you need to rest or ease off the exercise, let your trainer know. You do not want to end up injured.
Step 3
Assess your fitness results periodically to see if you are meeting your goals. If the program your personal trainer recommends is not working for you, talk to him and see what adjustments can be made to help you meet your goals.
Step 4
Listen to your trainer's advice. If you did your homework and chose a knowledgeable, certified personal trainer, you are working with someone who knows the human body and its capabilities well, and is able to offer valuable fitness tips.
Step 5
Ask questions to clarify any information you do not understand. If your personal trainer tells you to do something that does not make sense to you, ask for more details or a demonstration to help you grasp the concept. Your trainer may also be able to offer handouts and referrals to websites or books that can help you glean a deeper understanding of the topic.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose a personal trainer who is certified with a reputable organization. The Institute for Credentialing Excellence offers a directory of accredited personal training certification groups. Your trainer should also have an up-to-date CPR and First Aid certification. Sometimes you may "just click" with a trainer, while finding it hard to connect with another trainer. If you try to communicate, respect and listen to your trainer and still do not feel you are making any progress or are not on the same page about your goals, try finding a different trainer that you can relate to better.
- Consult your doctor before beginning a personal training program.
Member Comments