Stacy: "Training for Personal Training."

Getting a personal trainer can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Employing the help and motivation of a fitness professional can certainly get you into better shape, assure that you execute each movement with correct form, motivate you to keep pushing further, and give you new workouts and ideas to avoid plateaus. Amazing right?! Not so fast...

While the benefits of working with a personal trainer are undeniable, choosing the right personal trainer for you is so very important: your success and health can depend on it.

If you're interested in purchasing personal training packages, make sure you consider the following:

1. Do you mesh well?

You'll probably be seeing your personal trainer at least once a week, so you want to make sure he/she is a person you like being around! If you like someone barking at you, a more militant trainer may be for you. If you're more of a laid back kind of a person, maybe a trainer who is a bit more at ease (yet still as effective) is a better fit for you.

Also consider how comfortable you are with your trainer. Anything "new" may feel uncomfortable at first, especially considering this person's attention is solely on you for the hour (or, at least it should be). While that's understandable, you want to make sure you feel comfortable enough the divulge the eat deets, tell them when something doesn't feel right, or talk about certain medical conditions. After all, this person is a fitness professional, and is there to help you attain your goals.

2. Are you being pushed to reach your potential?

Most personal trainers have a passion for fitness and the desire to help you (the client) succeed.

As your body gets stronger and more fit, your program/fitness regimen should change. If you are on a program, make sure it isn't the "same ol' thang," rather, a progression, that keeps your body guessing. After all, you're paying for a service, make sure your trainer is providing you with an optimal session and constantly pushing you to reach your potential.

In regards to reaching your potential, please make sure you are pushing YOURSELF and not just relying on an outside source for motivation. If you aren't experiencing positive results, first take a look at what you're doing before pointing the finger. Have you been consistant? Have you been working hard during your sessions as well as on your own? Have you been eating healthfully? If your answer to the above three questions was a resounding "YES!" that's when it may be time to move forward and employ the help of someone who may be able to connect better with you.

3. **** Does this person know their stuff?! *****

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, make sure your trainer holds a recognizable certification! Many people don't realize this, but personal trainers can change your life drastically for the better (healthy body, healthy mind) or for the worse (injury). Make sure your trainer emphasizes your safety before anything else, and assists you in performing each exercise properly. Furthermore, your trainer should know all the ins and outs: anatomy, kinesiology, a bit about nutrition, and biomechanics. If they know their stuff, it's more likely that you'll experience positive results and not get injured.

Questions? Feel free to ask me!
LifestyleFitnessConcepts@gmail.com

<3,

Stace