Are you thinking of hiring a personal trainer to help you lose unwanted fat or improve your fitness? Working with a personal trainer, even if only for a few sessions to get you started, is a great way to achieve goals that can be pretty tough to achieve on your own. The right fitness coach can guide your efforts safely and effectively and re-design your program as your body evolves. How many successful business owners and athletes do you know that have coaches to propel them further in their business or sport? Many successful business owners and athletes have solid coaching behind them. Why shouldn’t YOU have a fitness coach to achieve your goals?
One of the most important things to do at the start is select the right personal trainer for the job. The personal training situation is just that—personal. Make sure that you pick a personal trainer with whom you feel comfortable. Having a good rapport and good communication with your coach is vital.
Another important aspect when choosing a personal trainer is experience and education. I’ll be honest, though, I’ve been a personal trainer in San Jose for many, many years, and only a few people have asked for my credentials when I interview them. Experience has made me a better trainer, but a formal education in kinesiology was a great foundation. I don’t think a college degree is necessary to be a great trainer, but I do believe it’s a great foundation.
Before signing on with a personal trainer, interview them a bit and ask questions. Find out if you’d be comfortable with this person for 2-3 hours a week. Find out if they’ve worked with people like you before. Some trainers specialize in certain types of clients (e.g., women only, seniors, high level athletes, figure competitors, etc). The more they’ve worked with people like YOU, the better they will be able to help you get results.
Once you’ve decided on the personal trainer that fits your needs the most, have a frank discussion with him or her about your goals. This is the only way to ensure that you get the most appropriate training. The more specific your goals, the more specific your training program can be.
Once your training with your new coach has started, make sure that you are doing all that is required of you outside of your coached sessions. In order to see results you may need to exercise outside of your personal training sessions. You may need to modify your eating habits or your sleep habits. Be fully transparent with your trainer regarding your food intake, additional exercise and hydration outside of your personal training sessions. Hydration and rest are exceedingly important because they help the muscles rest after the exercise.
As you can see, getting the most from your personal trainer isn’t just about the workout he/she gives you. It’s about what you do the other 165+ hours a week outside of your sessions 😉
Here’s an easy check list to follow as you begin your search for a personal trainer in San Jose:
- Establish what you want a personal trainer for. Healthy weight loss, building muscle mass, or becoming a faster runner will all require different expertise.
- Interview potential trainers to make sure you connect well and have good rapport before signing on with someone
- Find out if a trainer has the right qualifications and experience to help you with your specific goals
- Make sure a trainer you’re interested in is available during the timeframe that is convenient for you to work out.
- Ask for references
- Be very specific when communicating your goals
- Ask about rates, cancellation policies and any contracts that might need to be signed
If you’re interested in interviewing lifeSport Fitness to see if we’re a good match, please give us a call at 408-265-1540 to set up a complimentary consultation!
We currently offer on-site/in-home personal training in most areas of San Jose (Willow Glen, Cambrian and Almaden), and 8-week small group training programs in the Cambrian area of San Jose.