What to Expect from a Personal Trainer

It can be hard to know what to do as wellness trends come and go. This is particularly difficult if you want to start going to the gym. Do you start with cardio? How do you know which muscle groups to work on what days? What even is a muscle group? These are questions your fitness personal trainer can help you answer.

A trainer is your go-to resource for all things strength, conditioning, and weight-loss. Whatever you want to work on, they can help make the process easier. Here are a few things to expect when hiring a fitness personal trainer.

1. Goal Setting

Before you start working on physical changes, you have to make a mental commitment. Talk to your fitness personal trainer about the kind of goals you want for your body, and be specific. Tell them how much weight you want to lose or if you’re trying to improve your athletic performance for an upcoming season. He or she will help you break down these long-term goals into a step by step process.

Your personal trainer will know where to start, and they’ll be looking for feedback to determine what’s working for you. Together, you’ll establish a unique, carefully-crafted workout plan.

2. New Habits

As you go through your workout plan, expect new habits to pop up in and out of the gym. A good fitness personal trainer will help you see the big picture effects of working out. These look like, but aren’t limited to…

A Steady Routine

Noticeable workout results happen over time, which means you have to be consistent. Consistency is more than showing up at the gym every day. It involves taking advantage of your body clock to workout when you’re at your peak. Try to set your training appointments up at the same time of day every day. Your body will adjust to this level of activity, and it can help you mentally prepare, too.

A Diet Plan

There’s no use in keeping a consistent gym routine if you can’t get your diet under control. What you eat affects the amount of energy you have throughout the day, your mood, and muscle recovery. As such, expect your fitness personal trainer to bring up what you currently eat and what you should be eating. If you’re interested in learning more, ask your trainer about a nutritionist you can talk to.

Better Rest Days

Another habit that is easy to forget about is the importance of rest days. Some new gym-goers are all in – they want to workout every day in an effort to speed up results. Others take rest days too far and binge on bad foods or sit on the couch all day. Your personal trainer can help you find the happy medium.

Take rest days as a chance to go for a short walk or do yoga. Enjoy your cheat meals and balance them with the regular good foods you start to eat, too.

3. Accountability

These new habits might sound like too much to take on. Don’t throw in the towel yet, though. Remember, your fitness personal trainer is on this journey with you. They are more than a workout plan and a motivation for another rep in the gym. This person is your go-to person for support and accountability.

The best results happen when you can share your struggles with your personal trainer. Talk to them about the days you just aren’t feeling a workout, and what foods you can’t seem to stop eating. Let your trainer know what kind of communication style works best for you, and how you want to be pushed. This helps them keep you on track as best as possible.

4. Results

At the end of the day, the combined efforts of you and your personal trainer are worth it. All the time, money, sweat, and skipped desserts will show. No matter if you’re on the road to losing a big amount of weight or if you’re taking on an 8-week transformation, trainers make sure you are well on your way.

At the end of your program, your trainer should provide a summary of how to stay on track. They can refer you to new workout styles to try, or offer to do another program to build on what you’ve already learned.

Whatever you decide to do, you owe it to yourself to keep your fitness journey going. The best fitness results are long-term life improvements, not just what you see in the mirror.

 Take Your Health to the Next Level with a Fitness Personal Trainer

Big changes start with small steps. If you’re looking to transform how you take care of yourself, a fitness personal trainer can help you get started. Find the trainer that works for you and keep them close. Their tips and encouragement will matter long after your contract is up.

The secret is to hold up your end of the deal, too.

The Arena District Athletic Club is more than just a gym, it’s a premier fitness facility located in the heart of the Arena District in downtown Columbus. We provide convenience and quality, featuring top-of-the-line equipment, top-notch personal trainers, spa-like locker rooms and a wide variety of free group fitness classes daily including Cardio, Spinning, Barre Fusion, Yoga, Boot Camp and more. We offer free 2-hour parking and convenient contract-free memberships, to fit your healthy lifestyle needs. Don’t just join, belong.