The Basics of Personal Fitness Training

You heard the names: Tony Horton from the p90x fitness phenomenon, Jillian Michaels from Biggest Loser televison show, Jackie Warner on Workout Bravo TV hit show, and the list goes on and on. What do they have in common, they are all brands images bolstered from the fitness industry onto your television screens and dominating the internet, while shining light on the importance of personal training.

Who are we?

Personal trainers are the link to revolutionizing the total package: mind, body and soul. We are your closest ally, motivational support and your body's peak performance keeper. Education and training is merely not enough to describe our function. Personal Fitness Trainers are mobilizers; we impel our clients to become better versions of themselves, ensure clients are aware about their physical capabilities and aid in pushing past individuals' status quo. We are counselors, advising to use discretion and savvy in a billion dollar market flooded with fad diets, fat-loss gimmicks and unhealthy eating habits. Finally, Certified Personal Fitness Trainers are professionals; the finest trainers are those that practice what they preach, lead by example and are certified by a distinguished and reputable association.

Why is Personal Training important?

Anyone can walk into a health club and read the directions to operate machinery, particularly gym equipment. Anyone can follow diagram directives and mimic illustrations sometimes provided. However, comprehending the purpose of an exercise, its physical benefits and the use of proper form in appropriate timing and conditioning periods takes a professional. Sure, would it be easy to ask the "big guy" at the gym for his advice on exercise, nutrition and supplementation? Absolutely. But what works for him, may not necessarily work for you. This is the core principle of Individual Differences. A qualifed and certified personal trainer would be able to assess an individual needs succinctly and cater the appropriate exercise, nutrition and supplements to their requirement, totally different than the resident "gym rat" or in house "body builder".

Americans are quoted to be spending $600 billion dollars each year on healthcare alone. There is a bevy of reasons, illnesses,and ailments that are costing Americans to be spending this enormous amount of disposable money on their health. But among all of them, the common denominator stems from a lack of proactive and age appropriate upkeep such as proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and an active lifestyle. Think about it: most wake up from less than 8 hours sleep to be alert and aware by a stimulant like coffee to begin their day. Most bypass a balanced breakfast for an oversized bagel and butter or even cream cheese, which is loaded with high glycemic carbohydrates and fat. No wonder a second cup of coffee is necessary by the time 10 am rolls around. Corporate offices sit employees in a cubicle or at a desk with limited space to stretch and activate muscles. Lunch, often skipped, may be filled with fast food or skipped altogether. To compensate for the lost "high" by mid-afternoon, most resort to a sugar rush, like Snickers and Milky Ways. The evening drive can leave one mentally and physically catatonic after sitting for hours in traffic just trying to make it home. And by dinner time, once again, its highly processed foods loaded with salt and trans-fat. Or a dinner so heavy that it compensates as the bulk of daily nutrition for the day, ingested just a few short hours before returning to bed. Light activity like walking, typing and sitting consumes the day, physical activites are limited and the unhealthy diet packs on the pounds. So what does this have to with personal training? Everything.

As aforementioned, Personal Trainers are catalyst for change, for those who really want it. It is highly individualized; so maybe you can't just ditch your current job to become a forest tour guide to get some form of physical activity, but we can set aside 30 minutes to an hour afterwork to dedicate towards reducing body fat, or lowering blood pressure, alleviate arthritic joints or relieving stress to help sleep better at night. The benefits of training with a Certified Personal Trainer are almost immediate and the investment pays with dividends. Remember a Personal Trainer always has the client in mind. We must continue educating ourselves, refreshing on the basics and learning the newer technologies. Fortunately we are more accesible than most highly qualified physicians. In fact, we work with these physicians to optimize peak performance.

So how do I choose a Personal Trainer?

Alot of times, its much like choosing a doctor or an attorney. They come recommended by people you trust: your friends, your family, your current physician. Other times, you find them at your local gym or YMCA. But at all times, no matter how they come, the difference is how they make you feel; are they are all about you? Like aforementioned, it's highly individualized to fit your goals. Sure, your goals may be in common with another client of theirs, but your disability or illness or physical performance may not be. After your initial consultation you should feel comfortable with the exercise programming, your trainer's knowledge of the human body and how it moves, your physical condition, nutrition and weight management, safety and emergency procedures like CPR, and most of all, motivation. If a trainer is not motivated or excited to be taking the journey with you to accomplish your goals, move on. This is just a job for them, not a career. Personal Trainers are passionate about what they do, and really seek to help others, not by delivering the status quo but by pushing past it.

Don't be surprised if your Personal Trainer offers to mobile train, meaning in home training? Don't be shocked if your trainer asks to train one on one, as well in a group or a bootcamp for additional cardio or strength training? And certainly don't think differently if your trainer asks to maintain contact online with online diet management, online training or even decides to join you grocery shopping one day! Its part of the job and its not for every client but its there for those who may need the extra guidance or discipline.

Red Flags

Many choose to work in this industry for various reasons. I have witnessed many and endured many different types of training and coaching styles through out my physical career. I have learned some hard lessons that I wish someone would have given me a heads-up about. So to ensure you don't fall for the same, here are some red flags to take note of when its time to cut your relationship short with your trainer. First, not being treated with respect, common courtesy or integrity. I have trained with people who felt it was okay to count my reps while watching television or chatting with the cutie on the elliptical. No, that's not alright. Trainers are to motivate by being involved and ever-present. They are supervising your body's movement, not the latest and greatest in the gym, and certainly not on your time.

Second thing to look out for are trainers who do not provide you with a copy of their certification upfront. Most do not do this; until asked, they will provide. Or if they are resident trainers of a particular gym like New York Sports Club or Planet Fitness or Gold's gym, the business will retain such copies. But for independent personal trainers, this only shows that you are a professional with pride and integrity. I trust someone more who is willing to give me the facts upfront, than to ask for it or never know. Besides there are many gym buffs who trained themselves but haven't a clue about training others. Or who are not certified or are not emergency services trained but they train others. Big mistake because the wrong move, weight, technique or form can risk serious injury.

Third, personal trainers do not take the place of doctors. A professional trainer would never prescribe medication or diagnose an injury or any health related conditions. That's why its important to consult with your physician first before attempting to seek services of a trainer. Likewise, it is just as important for the trainer to understand fully your physical capacity before bringing you to a gym. This includes an initial consultation, medical clearance and a fitness test.

Fourth is confidentiality. I remember training for a particular event one year where my coach decided to discuss with another coach my exact regimen, my nutrition, my training schedule. Initially, I thought it was no big deal, but what if shared with them something even more personal; they probably would have blabbed that as well. Training is intimate; its based on trust and that's easy to violate. So ensure you get a confidentiality agreement with your trainer because its professional to do so.

The last is not necessarily a red flag but could be: you get what you pay for. Its hard, as a trainer, to commensurate your passion into a price tag, but its not hard to know your worth as a trainer and understand that you bring value to the table. With that said, as a client, know exactly what you are paying for by having it documented. My trainers' (yes, I am a trainer and I have trainers too) documented what I am paying for before my first session. Most trainers have a package deal, outlining the specifics. Make sure you have a signed copy as well as your trainer for clear and concise understanding.