You hired a personal trainer, congrats! But will you get the results you want? Here’s what a great trainer should do.
Ask Questions
Beginning with your first session, your personal trainer has to assess where you are, your injury history, and your goals, as well as how to safely and steadily reach them. Knowing about your workout and medical history, eating habits, sleep rhythm, and stress levels is necessary to create a program that works.
Know Your Sweet Spot
Your workouts should be challenging but not over the top. Too many trainers put clients through strong sessions that are way too advanced. They do it to make you feel like you’ve had a great workout but it’s the wrong move. They should begin with a regimen that’s right for your skill level and slowly increase volume and intensity.
Make Adjustments
A great trainer will adjust workouts on the fly to keep you motivated and injury-free. Didn’t have enough sleep last night? Let’s take it a bit slower. Woke up with knee pain? Let’s skip high-intensity exercises.
Be Crystal Clear
Your trainer has to clearly explain and demonstrate exercises. In case you don’t understand what he’s saying, does he explain it differently? Does he take time to answer your questions in a clear way or throw big words at you and just move on? A good trainer doesn’t leave you on your own. The reason you’re paying a trainer is to take the guesswork out of the fitness procedure. During warm-ups, for example, he has to explain how to stretch, how long to hold, which muscles to focus on, and why.
Be Laser-Focused
Your trainer’s awareness should always be on you. If you’re doing reps and he’s distracted by other people or his cell phone, it’s a red flag. Any coach that browses the web, texts or takes calls while working with you isn’t worth your time. Other signs of distraction are being late, unprepared, disorganized or unfocused. If your trainer isn’t 100% present, it may be best to change it.
Questions You Should Ask a Personal Trainer:
– Which certification(s) do you have?
You’ll see different types of certifications. Search for someone who’s been certified by a reliable organization.
– Have you worked with people like me?
It’s a plus when a trainer has experience with clients who’ve had comparable goals or a similar injury history to yours. He can apply this experience to you.
– Are you up to date on fitness news?
Ensure that he’s in the know. Ask which continuing education classes he’s taken lately or the last thing he read about training and fitness.
– How will you create a plan that’s right for me?
Your trainer should design an individualized program adapted to your needs. It has to include an assessment and a plan for slow but steady progress.
Being involved in sports activities protect you from many diseases such as arthritis, obesity, obese, heart problems, diabetes, etc. It makes you more disciplined, patient, punctual, and courteous in life. Making the right choice of your PT is important and helps you stay motivated.
Finally, with or without a personal trainer, doing exercises on a regular basis is needed to be healthy. Check this article to learn some fitness tips for beginners.
You can also read about the 4 types of exercise to be healthy