For some people, working out feels natural, almost like an addiction. Not for this girl. Every day I beg myself – Please go work out, please go work out. And, if you’re like me, who better to push you than a trainer?
I mix personal trainers into my weekly
workout routine to keep me on task, teach me new things and hold me
accountable when I start skipping my lunges. Here are some things to
look for when choosing a personal trainer:
- Honesty: Make sure you can trust your personal trainer, because hearing the truth is the only way to improve and make progress. Don’t pick a trainer who tells you look bad when you don’t, but find a trainer that has the guts to point out the obvious. When I first met my trainer she complimented some things, but also pointed out my problem areas with blunt force. I laughed, considered her suggestions, and thanked god someone had the guts to tell me. I knew we were on the right track.
- Creativity: Find a trainer who knows how to mix up the workout on the fly. If you feel like they are following a play card, you’ll realize you could do that yourself. You want a person that will come up with interesting workout ideas when, on any particular day, you have a new area you want to target. Once I was put on a Pilates trapeze. Was it graceful? Absolutely not. But I had a blast and I worked out just a little bit longer because it was so different
- Balance: A personal trainer should push you beyond what you personally thought your limits were. If a session feels too comfortable, you won’t see results and will stop coming back. But, he or she should find balance and be aware of your limits. If you feel like someone is always pushing you to a point of instability you’ll dread your sessions and start to skip them. Find someone that can give you a good mix.
- Attention to Detail: I need a trainer who won’t let me get away with the wrong body position and forces me to do it right. You can do ab work for practically hours if you’re doing it incorrectly. Get someone who notices the subtle differences in your positioning and it will make a huge difference long-term.
- Attitude: Find a trainer who you enjoy being around. Personally, the cheerleader-type would exhaust me during a 6 a.m. workout and the drill sergeant type would terrify me. I like someone who can keep on task but is also pleasant. Positive reinforcement will keep you excited to do better with each workout.
It’s not easy to find a trainer that
fits you just right. If you’re having trouble, ask your gym for advice
on which person might work best with your style. And if you don’t have a
good fit at the moment, there are ways move on from the relationship
gracefully. I love this SparkPeople.com post with tips on breaking up with your personal trainer.
If you’ve found your dream personal
trainer, make sure they know. Simply telling them can help to make the
relationship stronger and feel more personal. But you can also nominate
them for the Life Fitness Personal Trainers to Watch Awards to recognize them in a bigger way.
Brought to you by LifeFitness
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