One of the best ways to maximize your gym workout is to hire a personal trainer. He will develop a routine for your fitness goals, monitor your progress, and help you stay motivated and focused.
Many gyms will connect you to a personal trainer. But finding one is just the first step. Here are secrets on how to work with your personal trainer, through clear communication and expectations.
First, do a background check
Ideally your trainer should not just have experience and a long list of happy clientele. Ask if he’s been certified by a well respected organization (examples are the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, or the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America. Also inquire about formal training.
Be realistic
Do you see yourself working well with this person? For example, do your schedules fit or will you have to work out at inconvenient hours? Do you have a good rapport? What do your instincts tell you? Even if you can’t explain why you have reservations, the fact you feel uncomfortable is not a good start—you may be even tempted to skip workouts just because you don’t like seeing your trainer.
Set concrete goals
Your trainer can help you achieve your goals, but you need to know what exactly you wish to accomplish. Set both your short-term goals (like lose 10 pounds) and even those long-term goals (like join a 5k run). Your trainer will be able to tell you if those goals are realistic, and help set a reasonable time frame given your current fitness status, age, lifestyle (like how many hours you can actually exercise a week).
Give a background
Treat your trainer like a doctor: you need to give an honest health background. For example, do you have any health conditions? Are you on any medication that may affect heart rate or blood pressure? Lifestyle habits that influence your energy levels, like high stress at work or insomnia? Also share how your previous fitness efforts have been like, and what worked for you. You can say, ‘I tend to get bored with a workout after a month or so.’ You may also want to reveal relevant aspects of your personality, like the best way to motivate you. Some people need a lot of praise, others like ‘tough love.’ Some want to record weight every visit, others are turned off by this.
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