What to look for in your Personal Trainer
By Phil Lee
Making changes to your health, fitness or body shape can be a challenging task especially when you don't know what to do. There is so much information available and it can be pretty confusing for anyone who's looking for help. Getting the right help may require investing in a fitness professional and the support from a Personal Trainer could ultimately be the difference between achieving your goals or not.
The fitness industry has become very popular over recent years which has resulted in a rapid increase of fitness professionals. With so many to choose from and so much information just figuring out where to start can be a challenge. Even though there are more Personal Trainers than ever before, the question is, can they actually help you?
So, what makes one Personal Trainer stand out from the other? Here are some things that you should look for in your Personal Trainer.
Your Trainer can guarantee your results
After all, it's the reason why you've invested in a Personal Trainer. You want results for your money and effort so look for a Trainer that can guarantee yours. They should be able to as long as they can provide you with the knowledge and tools to do so. There are so many other factors that can greatly affect your results such as your nutrition, emotions and your circle of influence, so look for a trainer who understands that there's more to results then just exercise.
Your Trainer understands that it's about you and not them
People differ in many ways, they have different personalities, goals, values, likes and dislikes and not all people are motivated the same way. Look for a Trainer who listens and understands that it's about you and your goals and not about them and their ego. Your Trainer should be providing you with a tailored plan which is specific to your body type, your goals and one that will benefit you long term and not put you off in the short term. Look for a Trainer that helps you to identify your "Why", that is your reason for wanting to achieve your goal. Identifying your "Why" will emotionally and personally connect you to your goal and become a powerful motivational tool.
Your Trainer cares about your goals and understands your emotions
Often setting goals can expose negative feelings or thoughts about oneself which can be extremely hard to do and finding someone who makes you feel comfortable enough to expose such things can be even harder. Your Trainer should be excited to help you and genuinely care about your progress no matter what your goal is by providing you with the knowledge, support, accountability, tools and action steps required to achieve your success. As your emotions can heavily dictate your results look for a Trainer that helps you to better understand your own. Emotions often become barriers so identifying and understanding why you act or feel a certain way can help you to overcome any challenges you might be facing. Sometimes achieving a goal may be a long journey with many ups and downs, some people will have better days than others so look for a Trainer who takes the time to understand your emotions and they should know when to challenge you or hold back if needed. Maybe that extra set today isn't as important as a conversation to ask if things are ok.
Your Trainer keeps you accountable
More often than not someone will seek the help of a Personal Trainer because they need somebody to keep them accountable. Look for a trainer that keeps you accountable to your goals by keeping you accountable to the things that you said you would do. If your Trainer sits back and watches you sabotage your progress without asking the hard questions or doesn't challenge you when it's needed, then what are you paying them for? Accountability isn't about making you feel bad about yourself or guilty about any so called bad habits, it's about helping you to face and overcome challenges that might be holding you back so you can move forward. Success often requires creating new habits and breaking old habits, however many people enjoy engaging in things that have unfavourable effects on the body. For most people the challenge is around food, alcohol and breaking habits which result in negative feelings, often this is where accountability is needed the most.
Your Trainer cares about your safety
Safety should always be paramount so look for a Trainer that pays close attention to yours. The gym floor can sometimes be a dangerous place and the risk of injury is much higher for those being ignored or put in a position that they are not ready for. Ensure your Trainer pays close attention to you and your technique. If they are paying attention, then they are engaged in the session and if they are engaged then they are showing that they care. Getting injured is only going to set you back, so make sure your technique is a focus.
Your Trainer focuses on your nutrition, not just exercise
Look for a Trainer who understands and also helps you to understand that when it comes to results, more often than not nutrition will play a far more important role than exercise will. Education should be a focus and your Trainer should be helping you to improve your eating habits by providing you with the knowledge and tools to do so. Make sure your nutrition requirements are specific to you and your goals. Your Trainer should be educating you so you can adapt your requirements to your lifestyle and learn how to overcome conflicting habits. If your Trainer isn't paying attention to the things you are eating, then how much are they actually caring about your results?
Your Trainer empowers you to take control of your life
Empowerment comes from knowledge and self-belief so you want someone who educates you and encourages you to believe in yourself. Look for a Trainer who educates you so you can do all of the right things when you're away from them. The time you spend away from your Trainer will have a far greater effect on your results compared to the time you actually spend with them so understanding what to do when you're on your own is crucial. Nutrition, exercise, alcohol and your circle of influence are just a few of the things that can affect your results so you want to know how to make the best food choices, understand food labels, know how much you should be eating and training, know what to do if you slip up and have a bad meal or day and learn how to say no to destructive habits that might be holding you back.
Your Trainer contacts you outside of your training sessions
Often the weekend is when people fall off the wagon but it also happens during the week. People generally have good intentions and will try to implement good eating and exercise habits but it's our emotions, poor habits and even our circle of influence that can impact our results in a negative way. Stress for example is a major barrier for many people and might be the reason for emotional eating. The contact from your Trainer outside of your sessions could be that little bit of extra motivation you need when the stress and temptation is at its peak. So whether it's to ask if you need any help or some positive words to keep you on track, knowing you've got the support from your Trainer can make all the difference.
Your Trainer cares about you and takes an interest in your life
Theodore Roosevelt once said "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care". Look for a Trainer that asks you questions and wants to know things about you. A Trainer's ability to listen and show they are genuinely interested in your life will allow you to build great rapport. It will also make you feel comfortable enough to open up about personal things that you may not feel confident telling others such as your friends or partners. Remember, it's all about you.
Need help? At Vision Personal Training Camberwell we provide you with the support, knowledge and tools to ensure your success. We empower you to take control of your life so you can achieve and maintain amazing results long-term. Contact us today to start the beginning of your new life.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
