Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I hire a personal trainer?
Working with a qualified trainer with whom you have a good rapport is the best way to get started. Developing a safe, effective fitness program is challenging. A good trainer will consider a client’s health and exercise history, physical and time limitations, preferences, and goals before putting a weight in someone’s hand. After a program has been developed, the trainer will teach the client to perform each exercise properly, since correct form is crucial to positive results and injury prevention.
How are you different from other personal trainers?
Training is a very intimate relationship, and some people may initially feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. Making an appointment with me may be one of the hardest things they’ve ever done, so I do my best to show clients right away that our time together will be a collaborative effort, where I can help them achieve their goals. I also like to regularly introduce new exercises into a routine, as this keeps both the client’s mind and muscles alert.
I strongly believe that the time I spend with clients is their time to feel good, not my time to be the boss. Listening to what a client says and then watching for nonverbal cues helps me develop a program that’s fun, safe, and effective.
Do you have a specialty?
My teaching experience includes pre- and post-natal, seniors, teens, people who’ve never exercised, and ex-athletes. I enjoy it all.
What advice do you give to clients beginning an exercise program?
Two things: First, be consistent with training. A busy life sometimes gets in the way of our exercise goals. The key is to not let it happen all the time, to learn to work around obstacles when possible, and to realize that making fitness a priority is a continued effort and a gift we give ourselves.
Second, find activities you enjoy doing and you’re more likely to stay with them. It’s human nature to avoid things we find unpleasant, and exercise is no exception. Helping clients discover what they like and what they don’t is one of the most important parts of my job.
Do you offer nutritional counseling?
Understanding nutrition and the role diet plays in fitness is very important to my job, but I’m not a dietician. I encourage clients to think of food in terms of nutrition – fuel for the body – instead of dieting. For anything beyond general advice on healthy food choices, it’s best to consult a registered dietician.
How soon until I see results from my exercise program?
Results depend on the frequency and type of exercise and quality of diet.