5 tips to get the most out of personal training

Secrets from a personal trainer

A personal trainer can be a great way to get in shape with a program that’s right for you. But, it can also cost you a pretty penny. Marilyn Luis, a certified personal trainer and kinesiologist, gives us the insider scoop on her secrets to maximizing your experience and stretching your personal training dollars even further.

1. Set goals with your trainer before starting your routine

To avoid wasting time during the sessions that you pay for by the hour, Luis suggests setting up a meeting with your trainer beforehand. This is the time for you to tell your personal trainer exactly what you would like to do and what your limits are. He or she can help you set short-term, mid-term and long-term goals so you can be sure you’re moving in the right direction every session. It also helps the trainer prepare and come up with the exercise plan best for you.

2. Be on time

Personal trainers are usually booked solid each day, with back-to-back appointments. Unfortunately, if you’re late for your appointment, Luis says it cuts into your workout time. If you’ve paid for an hour of training, but show up 10 minutes late, you will only get 50 minutes of their time because they have other clients waiting. In fact, Luis says it’s an even better idea to show up early, so you get started as soon as your trainer arrives.

3. Warm up before your session

Once your personal trainer has showed you the proper stretching techniques and given you tips for good cardio activities, feel free to do those warm-ups before beginning your session. If you’re properly warmed up, that means there will be extra time in which your trainer can focus on more challenging or more important exercises. Paying for your trainer to watch you warm up on an exercise bike is not the best way to spend your hard-earned cash.

4. Communicate with your trainer if you have special needs

On occasion, you may require a more precise workout. Luis says a friendly email a couple of days before your session to let your trainer know you have hurt your back is very helpful. That way, she can adjust your routine to one that is ideal for your needs in advance, without having to come up with a new routine on the spot. “It’s not more work,” Luis says. So don’t feel bad about letting your trainer know your needs ahead of time. It just allows them to be more prepared for you.

5. Respect your trainer’s expertise

If you’ve hired someone as your personal trainer, it’s because you assume they are the professional. If you would like to try certain exercises, you should communicate that with your trainer. However, if he or she doesn’t feel that would work for you, you should respect their professional opinion. Remember, they are aware of your goals and they are working to help you achieve them. A bad attitude and snippy remarks are not only unnecessary but may cause you to lose a great personal trainer.

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• How to find the right personal trainer
• What I learned from personal training
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