You’re ready to get in shape be it for health, physical strength and endurance or overall body confidence but may not be sure where to start or who to turn to. Hiring a personal trainer isn’t the simplest task because even though they may seem fit themselves, it doesn’t mean that they will give you the results that you desire. You will want to make sure that the person you hire is professional, experienced and comforting.
Personal trainers typically have multiple result-hungry clients that are looking to make a significant and impactful difference to their lifestyle. Whether you live in a densely populated city like Toronto or a more rural town with a lower population, you will most likely find several personal trainers that are ready and available to train you, both virtually and in person. Once you have selected a personal trainer, you will need to do your part by following the advice you are given to get optimal results and of course, the most out of your money.
At First Class, we work with you every step of the way but there are times when the responsibility falls on you. Although our personal trainers do amazing work and we believe that you will give your 100% throughout every session, we won’t be able to monitor your time without us which is perhaps even more crucial in reaching your goals than the time you spend with us.
Here are several tips to get maximum results from your personal trainer:
Follow your Exercise Schedule
During your initial consultation with us, we will discuss your goals, assess your lifestyle and formulate an exercise plan for your desired results. From muscle building to weight loss, our plans are completely customized to your needs and are scheduled in accordance with your lifestyle. Throughout your sessions, we will guide you through each exercise to learn the correct form and techniques which should be utilized when working out alone. This will help to build muscle or help you to lose weight faster and stave off possible injuries.
Follow your Diet Plan
We always stress to our clients that even though exercise can help to achieve your goals, a healthy and nutritious diet will make up 70-80% of your ultimate results. If your main focus is losing weight, it is key to have a meal plan and follow it. For example, if we recommend that you eat in a caloric deficit to lose weight, it is imperative to be consistent because it is easy to regress and follow through properly to see a change. Watching how and what you eat is a lifestyle change that can benefit you in many ways including preventing long-term disease and a faster metabolism. Our trainers will devise a diet plan that works for you so you can enjoy the foods you like without sacrificing your palate.
Arrive on Time for the Training Sessions
To get the most out of each session, it is imperative that you make an effort to show up on time. Your workout will begin as soon as you are ready and we don’t recommend losing precious time that will eat up your session. Your time is valuable and we want you to get the most out of each session. Being consistent will lead to faster results but if you need to reschedule a session, we will happily work around your schedule and plan a better time for you. We know you still have a life and wouldn’t want you to miss out on anything that is important to you but arriving on time each session shows that you are serious about maximizing your results and respect our time.
Increase the Intensity
Over time, we will begin to increase the intensity of your workouts. This can include anything from HIIT (high-intensity interval training) where we perform explosive anaerobic 10 to 60 second exercises for weight loss to progressive overload which includes slowly increasing the weight of each exercise or performing higher reps for building muscle. Of course, we will work within your comfort but we want you to know that intensity is optimal.
Be Honest & Communicate with Your Trainer
We want you to be comfortable during your sessions with us but we always want you to be honest with us. To get the most out of your time with us, it is important to build a relationship with your trainer where you can communicate your needs with what works for you and what doesn’t as well as what you have been doing in our absence. We know that you won’t feel 100% motivated all of the time but we also want you to be honest about how closely you have been following your regime so we may make the necessary changes for you. If you don’t like something or feel uncomfortable, let us know and we will tailor your routine to work for you.
Take Notes and Do Your Homework
As we mentioned, to get the maximum results from working with a personal trainer, you will need to be ready to work hard and follow the advice that has been given to you. Our trainers will put together a diet and exercise plan that will be easy for you to practice and perform on your own; however, you may want to take notes or record your sessions. We may also suggest watching a variety of videos or learning more about how each exercise can work for you, in your own time.
Be Committed
To get the most out of your personal trainer, you need to be committed and show that you are willing to do the work to get optimal results. Honestly speaking, there is no point in wasting your time and money with a personal trainer if you are unable to commit. Working out with a personal trainer can be difficult if you aren’t committed and you most definitely won’t see the results that you want. We understand that you won’t always feel like exercising but we can promise you that we will be there to guide and reassure you along the way. As you become more confident with training, you will be excited about your next session and eventually see that the results are worth the commitment.
Are you ready to commit to a healthier lifestyle? Book a consultation with us today to find out how we can help you to reach your fitness goals!
Gera is the Founder and Head Trainer of First Class Personal Training with over 20 years of professional experience, not only as a personal trainer but also as a nutrition and wellness counselor and a post rehabilitation specialist.
