84A - Fit and Well Column for August 22nd, 2004
84A - TITLE: "Choosing a Trainer!"
Dear David and Trish,
I've been engaged in a fitness program for over a year now. One of the main parts is going to the gym three times a week, and having a Personal Trainer for every workout. I feel I've made great progress, but lately I've been confused, and frustrated.
I do a lot of reading, and I am exposed to many different ideas about different exercise programs, and different diet programs. I discuss these with my Trainer during our workout.
He listens, but doesn't seem interested in using this new knowledge that I have to my benefit. As a result, I have begun to resist my trainer's direction, and make decisions about how I should be exercising that are different than his.
Have I "outgrown" my trainer? Is it time for me to be working out on my own? Help!
Sincerely,
Warren in Eastport.
Dear Warren,
Your honesty, insight, and motivation impress me! And the questions that you pose are very real, and relevant. The answers are complex. But, as usual, we'll try to at least begin addressing them here.
What IS a Personal Trainer?
Why do people use a personal trainer? And what should they be doing?
Here is a short list of what I call the "core functions" of a Personal Trainer…
OK… it's only Trish and I who are magicians and miracle workers!
Know Your Goals
People engage in a formal physical fitness program for a veritable plethora of different reasons. Some people want to get stronger, some thinner, some shapelier, some faster, and some bigger! Before you can work effectively with a trainer, you need to define your goal(s), and communicate them clearly to your trainer.
Know Your Trainer
In a perfect world, any Certified Trainer (there are over 50 certifying organizations, by the way) would be effective in getting you what you want. But, unfortunately, in real life it just doesn't work that way.
Every trainer has specific experience, training, education, areas of expertise, and a unique personality!
If you are relatively healthy, with no history of injury, and no specific fitness goal, most trainers will work fine for you. However, if you are like the rest of us… with an injury here and a weakness there, with good days and bad days, and with specific needs, you need someone who is capable of working with you, and growing with you.
Both Trish and I feel that the personality of the trainer is of utmost importance if you are to succeed.
How can you be motivated towards your goals when you don't have a rapport with your trainer? When you first meet your potential trainer, ask yourself some questions. Is it easy to have a fun conversation? Do I feel comfortable with this trainer? Can I trust this person? Do they wear tie-dye shirts and eat Dairy Queen ice cream (we just sneaked that one in!)
The more up front you are about your goals, needs and expectations, the better off you'll be. More than likely, you'll be spending a lot of time together, so here's a hint: If your trainer can make you laugh, and laugh at themselves, you're off to a great start!
Putting It All Together
Well, now that you know what you want, and what kind of person can help you get it, it should be easy. Of course, it's not.
To get back to Warren's question… there needs to be a good chemistry, AND a willingness on the Trainee's part to defer to the Trainer. If there is a problem with credibility, communication, ability, experience, or otherwise, it may be time to consider changing trainers.
If, however, it's just a question of non-compliance, and unwillingness to take advise and direction, the correction needs to come from within. There is a valid presumption that the trainer knows more about exercise than you do. And, if that's so, listen and learn! If he doesn’t, find a new one!
Caveat Emptor!
Many people read magazine articles and assume the information is totally true, and applicable. Though your trainer should keep up with modern trends and "new fitness discoveries", much of this information is useless, and could actually hold you back in your progress.
It is a great idea to discuss your information with your trainer! It is possible that he or she missed a particular article that, if applied in your program, might be of significant benefit. This is a nice topic of conversation between sets, but should not be the basis for contention.
In the twenty years that I have been doing Personal Training, I can't tell you how many different styles of exercise and nutrition have come into "vogue", and then disappeared just as quickly. We are left with the essential fact that to become for fit you need to use your body, and to lose excess weight you need to somehow burn more calories than you consume. Give it a different name, or label, or make a movement out of it… it's still the same process!
FITNESS TIP
Starting this week, we will have a "fitness tip" at the end of our column. Please be on the lookout for them.
The fitness tip for today is:
For effective weight loss, NEVER eat after 7 PM. Even a light snack eaten close to bedtime becomes part of your wardrobe for the next day (in other words, you'll WEAR that bag of potato chips). If you MUST have a snack, try for high protein, low carb. foods. The less processed, the better!
END