Things Every Personal Trainer Wants You to Know

Lisa Franchi October 24, 2014

Just hired a personal trainer? Good for you! Having the skills, knowledge and experience in the field of weight loss and fitness, this person may take you to your goals easily. But before you imagine yourself being able to wear those pair of bathing suits again, there are some things that your personal trainer (and all other personal trainers out there) wants you to know.

Your sessions together cannot undo a week of bad decisions.

If you only meet with your personal trainer once or twice a week, it isn’t enough to achieve your health goals fast. This doesn’t mean you have to upgrade the training package you purchased and meet with your trainer daily. What you need to realise is that when you choose to be healthy, you’re actually choosing to prioritise fitness in your daily life and not just whenever you are in the gym. Many people blame lack of results to their fitness trainers, but more often than not, it’s their daily poor decisions that prevent them from reaching their health goals. A good personal trainer will give you advice and tips to keep lean but if you don’t incorporate them in your daily life, you’re not going to see your desired results fast.

“More” does not necessarily mean “better.”

Just because your training session only lasted for 40 minutes doesn’t mean you are not going to burn much calories. The amount of training we need depends on our fitness levels and many other factors. During the physical fitness test, your trainer will be able to identify the right amount of exercise and what types of exercises you need to reach your fitness goals.

Pain is temporary.

Don’t hate your personal trainer if the next day you wake up with sore muscles. Exercise physiologists refer to the gradually increasing discomfort that occurs between 24 and 48 hours after activity as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and it is perfectly normal. It happens because your muscle tissues have been stressed out beyond the level it’s accustomed to. DOMS typically lasts between three and five days. DOMS doesn’t generally require medical intervention. However, seek medical advice if the pain becomes debilitating.

Working out without proper diet is counterproductive.

You need to have a light meal at least 2 hours before your workout session. Opt for snacks that contain protein and carbs. Avoid going to the gym with your stomach empty. As your physical activity increases, so does your caloric intake. You need not starve yourself when dieting. The key is to make wise food choices. Consider keeping a food diary. Let your personal trainer check it so he or she can give you advice on the foods you need to eat more and those you need to cut back on.

Honesty is the best policy.

No matter how smart your personal trainer is, he or she isn’t a mind-reader. His/her recommendations are all but based on the observations during your workout session, and on the information you provide. If you’re struggling with something, you need to tell your trainer. If you haven’t lost weight for two months, raise this concern. Your personal trainer can work closely with you to find out the factors affecting your progress.

You don’t need him/her for the rest of your life.

The best personal trainers are those who train clients to stay fit and healthy even without them. Your personal trainer should be teaching you about things like proper form, exercise selection, proper diet, progressive overload, and so on. So when the time comes, you are confident to work without your trainer by your side.

Eat with purpose.

Be mindful of what you’re eating on a daily basis. Choose meals that fuel your body the energy it needs when working out, and the nutrients necessary to promote muscle repair and healing. Don’t just eat because you want to. Eat with purpose.

Working with a personal trainer can be one of the best ways to reach your health and fitness goals. But a large part of your success depends on no one but you. Your trainer is just there to guide you and keep you motivated. You still hold the key.