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PERSONAL TRAINING

Personal Training: What is it?

To keep things simple, a personal trainer is a person who works one-on-one with a client to plan or implement an exercise or fitness regimen (there will be times when that changes to suit client team provisions). In this case, the one-on-one would become (one-on-two). The one thing about personal training is that it amounts to so much more than just client training! A personal trainer is a coach mentor, listener, and so much more. We are there to get you through the challenging times. We motivate you when you’re down, instill pride in yourself and set you on a transformation journey. We build you up so that your future grows around you and your new chosen passions. As personal trainers, it is our job to help you build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that extends past everyday encounters.

The relationship between trainer and client can take many forms; this will depend on your goals. For the professional athlete, the exercise program prescribed by their coach is going to look vastly different than that of the everyday person who enters a health and well-being resume. It will be more specific to their sport and what they must do to achieve results. For the public, things look different.

At  Results Australia online services, we primarily work with everyday people working on everyday goals, with the exception of selected competitors in sport. Training under the support of a personal trainer can vary in its’ frequency from 1 to 6 times per week, depending on the individual, time, budget, etc. But at the end of the day, personal training is a road map to guiding you through your goals; you are the client, and we are the providers!

Where It All Started:

The earliest forms of fitness training were seen in ancient Greek times. In my Encyclopedia on Health and Fitness (Beyond Your Limits), I mention that dating back to as early as 776 B.C., the ancient Greeks were known for holding athletic events, most notably the Olympic game, which we still have to this day.

They had to train for each event in the hopes that they would bring their country honor by being the best.

Although the ancient Greeks were familiar with training for fitness, training throughout history has been tied to both religious and military groups, where the goal of training was most likely to be ready for an event or, in many cases, war.

Onto Today:

Fast-forward to present times, more specifically from the 1990s. This is when personal training really began to pick up steam. Stemming from the popularity of bodybuilding and fitness icons like Frank Zane, Lee Haney, Andrea Shaw, and Julie Lohre, the hiring of a fitness coach soon became popular with the public. The personal trainer would be able to individualise a program for you, take you through that program, and eventually help you reach your goals.

The Benefits:

So, why would you ever want to think about paying someone to take you through a format of exercise, a format of movement using force and cardio that is usually uncomfortable, one that comes with a lot of sweat, and one that will have you questioning why you do this to yourself? Well, there are multiple reasons to investigate personal training. 

It Provides You with Direction and stability.

The most important reason for employing a coach, is having a direction in your training routine, which can be beneficial in so many ways. Many times, when somebody walks into the gym, smiling, and ready to crush those New Year’s goals they set, they are immediately overcome with fear and intimidation once they see all of the equipment and all the “gym users”. So, what often happens?

They turn around and quickly walk out or take on board the information only to trash it later.

As a personal trainer part of my job is to help prospective clients to be comfortable in a gym setting and empower you. I want you to feel like you belong. Everyone has a right to be in the best shape of their life!

It Provides You with Your Own Team

Just imagine what you could do with a team around you. It has been seen in the workplace. It has been seen in sports fields. Having a team around you can help you take on any challenge in any situation. By committing to personal training, you begin to build your team for achieving fitness goals. There is no better feeling than to know you have someone in your corner. Daily, I go to work knowing that I am part of my clients’ team. Together, we will be able to pave the way to their goals. We may not know everything and what the process will look like, but it is our job to navigate the way for you.

However, let’s not limit the idea of community between you and your personal trainer. Other clients working with the same coach should also become part of your fitness team. All of you are working on your own goals, but collectively, it’s great if you are all able to push and motivate each other. This is one of the unique and my Favorite aspect of being a personal trainer. If you have ever had the chance to be with your trainer during one of his busy training times, then you have experienced the high energy and fun that training around similar minded people has created. We all begin to motivate each other to be better!

Accountability

The most important aspect of having a personal trainer or coach is that it provides you with a level of accountability to not only yourself, but to that coach as well! As the day gets busy, it becomes easier and easier to admit defeat on your workout for the day. But, if you have something scheduled ahead of time that you may have already paid for, that can serve as the extra little push to get you there.

Once you get to the gym and get going into your workout, you’ve already won 50% of the battle. Training gives you a person that will push you to that last rep; that last set; the final minute.

My Club:

Sometimes overlooked, choosing a Health Club  that you vibe well with should be your first step. The gym you choose should reflect your personality, shouldn’t feel “scary” and should feel at home. You will be spending a lot of time there, so you should feel comfortable.  Look for a gym with friendly staff, people that ask how your day was, and an environment that puts you, the client, first. This does not mean that your choice of a club will have a personal trainer to suit your training intentions or level. But at least it is a start.

Watch out for the Personal Trainer who walks up to you then tells you what you are doing is wrong rather than advising that they would like to help correct your technique or the one who stands around watching with a smile and the trainer who chews gum while training clients or talking to members, this is the ruddiest thing any trainer should do and one I would not recommend.

Location to Home and Work:

Another important aspect to consider is how close your personal training sessions will be to your home and work. Is the gym right in your commute from home to work? Is it within a reasonable time from home? If not, are you willing to make that commute to the gym? Making your sessions with your coach shouldn’t feel like you must go out of your way to make it there or as an inconvenience to you! If this is something you want to commit to, then finding somewhere that fits your lifestyle should be considered!

Knowing your Budget and What You’re Looking For:

As with any service, there are always cheaper and more expensive options. When choosing a personal trainer, think about this as an investment in yourself. Now, not everyone has the same budget.

But does that gym or those trainers have options to make training budget friendly for you, while not compromising the results you can get?

Finally, do a check list:

Your personal trainer should be someone that you feel you can fully entrust to help you reach your goals! Sometimes, you can  complain to your coach when a workout is tough for you. So, your personalities should complement each other.

You are going to be creating a relationship together that is built on trust and communication, so make sure before you sign a contract with a trainer, that it will be the right fit for you! If it isn’t, that doesn’t mean they are a poor trainer, it just means that there is another one out there that is better suited for you! If they offer a free consultation like we do at Rapid Results Australia online services, utilize it as a time to evaluate if this will be a good fit for the both of you. It will be a fantastic opportunity to talk through your goals, what your history has been, and what your visions are going forward. It also allows the trainer to give you an idea of what a game plan could be going forward.

Online Coaching:

This may be the only option if you find that the health club is perfect, but the trainers just don’t have that ideal package you are looking for. That’s ok, because there are times when the old 70/30 system may need to be brought into play:

• Seventy percent leans towards a great Health Club, and
• Thirty percent leans towards sourcing your training online.

Don’t feel you are insulting the Health Club when doing this. Your personal direction and desired results can come from many areas and, as I say… always be open minded because you may not need the hands-on approach if you have more than two years as an exerciser.

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