When you think of “personal training”, what do you think of? One client, one trainer and a high price tag? Well, think again because this San Jose Coach does personal training differently!
The concept of personal training has changed a lot over the years.
Personal Training in the Past
Ten or twenty years ago, a personal trainer was someone at a big box gym who walked the floor looking for people who’d be willing to spend extra money to basically have their workout supervised.
A personal training session was basically an appointment where you had someone tell you what exercises to do and what order to do them, who pretty much thought it up on the fly (or directed you to the next machine that was available). That doesn’t sound very personal to me. Does it to you??
Personal Training Now
Two things have changed in the last 10-15 years that I believe have completely changed the personal training experience (and the amount of money one spends for it!): 1) Program design and 2) The “Semi-Private Training” modelProgram Design
With “program design”, an experienced coach writes out a program of exercises based on your goals (sets, reps and resistance). They then set up that program as a series of sessions over a period of time (typical time frames are 4-12 weeks).
Each week, the resistance or repetitions change as the coach works to progress the client to more challenging work using the same exercises (which the client gets VERY good at executing, by the way!).
Program design can be a time consuming approach for the coach, but the results to the client can be phenomenal! Creating a planned, step-wise approach to getting stronger, toning up muscles, or losing body fat is an exceptional way to train someone to get results as opposed to random workouts every week.
I switched to “program design” about 14 years ago and have never looked back. Yes — it does take me more time to write 4-6 week program plans for each client, but WOW. Just WOW. They provide much better results for the client.
Semi-Private Training
And what is Semi-Private Training, you ask? Well, it’s not 4 people going into a studio and doing the workout of the day together. AND it’s not doing whatever is written on the white board (or at least it’s not here at lifeSport Fitness).
In a nutshell — A Semi-Private Training model provides a person with all that 1-on-1 Private Personal Training provides, without the price tag of 1-on-1 training. Clients come to people like me for accountability, a plan that is appropriate for them, proper cueing/feedback on form, and safety (many of our clients come to us after getting injured in larger group workouts).
I test drove a Semi-Private Training model about 10 years ago with a few beta testers. I honestly didn’t think they’d like it or even that I would like it. But, they LOVED it, and I found that I could coach up to 4 people at a time on completely different programs. The coolest part (aside from happy clients) was the energy and camaraderie the 4 people created. Not only did they love the group setting, they also loved the 40% drop in price from our 1-on-1 personal training ;-).
If you are struggling to get the fitness results you want and you have not experienced the difference of “Program Design” (as opposed to random workouts that might not even be appropriate for you) nor have you tried a lower cost Semi-Private Personal Training model — I encourage you to consider it!
TAKEAWAY
Yes — personal training has changed a lot compared to what it was 15 years ago. In fact, I’d say it’s a lot better. But, not every gym or trainer is up with the times. Luckily, this San Jose coach does personal training differently! LifeSport Fitness uses a modern approach that has proven time and time again over the past 14 years to be the most beneficial to our clients!
If you are interested in learning more out Personal Training at lifeSport Fitness, click here!
Committed to your success,
Coach Becky