How to Get the Most Out of Personal Training

Hiring a personal trainer is no small investment. It can lead to huge changes in regards to fitness, your lifespan, diet, relationships and happiness. Not only will you be more active throughout the day but you’ll also see physical changes week after week from consistent dedication. The endorphins, the strength gains, the muscle tone, definition, encouragement and even the self-accomplishment benefits contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle. We want you to get the most out of personal training!

With that said, it’s possible to slip off the health bandwagon and do something naughty such as have a cheat day, miss a workout or lie to our trainer. The first two are completely acceptable on occasion, but the key is to be honest about it with your trainer. Never lie to the person responsible for your fitness progress because they can help you bounce back after a tasty treat or rev up your motivation to hit the weights once more. Trainers are a crucial component to your physical success.

If you have a personal trainer already, you may know that they need to know just as much about what goes on outside of the gym as they do inside of the gym. You could take huge strides with your trainer at the squat rack, but if you’re not telling them the truth about your post-gym binge meals or 3 a.m. bowls of cereal, they could be leading you down a different path than you really should be on.

Your trainer needs to know about your eating habits as well as your fitness routine in order to make a program applicable to you. To get the most out of personal training, you need a program that is 100% tailored to your body and the only way to get that program is to be 100% honest with the person creating it.

Trainers are meant to be accountability partners. If you indulge in a few ounces of milk chocolate night after night, who’s going to tell you that your tiny habit could actually be decreasing your chances of burning off unwanted body fat? Nobody! If you’re embarrassed that you haven’t stopped the chocolate cravings, don’t be! An excellent trainer will understand your cravings and empathize with you. Second, they’ll give you tips to avoid those cravings and how to satiate your dietary needs throughout the day so that you won’t want chocolate by bedtime.

To get the most out of your personal trainer, you must also attend each and every training session you signed up for. Sleeping in late may sound like a wonderful option while you’re still cuddled up in your sheets, but your body will thank you later for lacing up the shoes and hitting the gym with your trusted trainer. Don’t skimp out on an opportunity to increase your happy hormones at the gym just because you feel like watching another episode of the Walking Dead or you’re just too tired after work. Remember why you started in the first place and make your sessions a priority in your life!

Lastly, you need to be honest with your trainer so that they can do what you hired them for. If your goal is to lose 15 pounds, there is no way they can help you if you continue to eat poorly or miss workouts. Many times people think “oh this little package of M&Ms won’t hurt me” but that’s because they don’t understand the nutrition label or what is actually going on inside of the body after noshing down on that bag. A trainer needs to be able to not only train you in the gym but also educate you on how to make independent choices in regards to health and fitness. You cannot out-train a bad diet, as many people assume!

To get the most out of your personal training sessions, honesty is key. If your progress is stalling, be upfront about your habits so that your trainer can readjust the program or give you effective advice for staying on track. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions about health and never be afraid of what they might think of you. A quality trainer will surely admire your honesty and encourage you to get back on track.