10 Things Your Trainer Won’t Tell You
It can be really hard to get into shape. Sometimes it’s even hard to decide where to begin. That’s where personal trainers generally come in. There are some great and smart trainers out there. There are also some who are not so helpful or not a good fit for your needs. Deciding if you need a personal trainer in the first place or if you should stick with yours? Here are some things your personal trainer likely won’t tell you.
It can be really hard to get into shape. Sometimes it’s even hard to decide where to begin. That’s where personal trainers generally come in. There are some great and smart trainers out there. There are also some who are not so helpful or not a good fit for your needs. Deciding if you need a personal trainer in the first place or if you should stick with yours? Here are some things your personal trainer likely won’t tell you.
- You don’t need full 1 hour sessions. If your trainer is pushing you to do a full hour session, you may want to rethink things. Your trainer should be able to push you to a full workout in 30 minutes, even if you are out of shape. Anything more than that and you may just bpe aying for their company.
- You should see results within 30 days. If you’re not seeing any change within the first 30 days, then you likely need a different trainer and approach. You’re paying your trainer to see RESULTS. You don’t need to look like a completely different person, but 30 days is more than enough time to start seeing improvement.
- You don’t need most of the gym equipment. You can circuit machine-to-machine on your own. Your trainer should be able to show you exercises with free weights and compound movements. Exercise machines only target one muscle at a time. You can make more of your time with exercises that do more for you. Your body doesn’t work with one muscle at a time in real life, does it?
- Don’t spend your whole session on abs. Yes, we all want perfect abs. But there are many other important areas too. Much of your belly fitness comes from your diet. Obviously, you don’t want to ignore your abs. But with a healthy diet and regular exercise (with regular ab workouts, nothing extreme) you will burn off the fat covering up the 6 packs that we all already have.
- Your core isn’t the big problem. It’s important to have a strong core, sure. However, it should not be the primary focus of your workout. Focus on cardio, strengthening and using resistance or compound body-weight exercises. I’m not saying proper form isn’t imperative, but it shouldn’t be your sole focus.
- They know when you’re lying about diet and exercise. You can say you had a healthy menu and didn’t indulge in those extra calories, but your body doesn’t lie. They can also tell that you’re not doing your stretches or other recommendations at home.
- You can still stay motivated without a trainer. That extra push can be really nice, especially if you lack motivation or will. If you can stay motivated and stick to your goals (there are apps out there that help this as well), then you can pocket the money and treat yourself to a nice reward for reaching your fitness goals.
- Your gear matters. Investing in a good pair of sneakers and proper fitness attire can make a big difference. Old ratty gym shoes and poor quality gear can affect your feet, joints and make you tire quicker than you normally would.
- They may push you too hard. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You’re not on The Biggest Loser. Some trainers keep pushing clients to show them just how out of shape they are. You already know this if you’re using (or looking into) a trainer. It’s not worth injuring yourself.
- They may not be as experienced as they want you to believe. Always look into credentials or ask for references. All it takes to become certified is $500 and a weekend program to pass an online examination.
Know your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you have a goal when seeking a trainer, so you know you’re moving forward. You may not even need a trainer. 7 Minutes a Day is all you really need.
