As a personal trainer, my clients will ask me, “How often should we meet?” This is a good question and one that takes some careful consideration because everybody’s needs and wants are different. Most of what personal training is about is instruction, support, and accountability. Here are some things to consider when deciding how often to see your trainer: How experienced are you? How fit are you right now? Do you tend to fall off your exercise schedule? What can you afford?
If you are new to exercise I suggest meeting with a trainer 2 or 3 times a week. I realize this adds up quickly but the beginning stages of a new exercise regiment are a critical time. For example people with great intentions of getting in shape often injure themselves quickly because they don’t really know what they’re doing. The supervision by a trainer in the beginning will get you off to a great start by learning the basics about good form. This will help to prevent injuries down the road. Also, most people fall off course during the first 3 weeks of a new attempt at exercise. By having several training appointments early on you will gain the momentum you need in order to hang on through this tough period.
Working with a trainer frequently in the beginning will help to create the momentum you need to get you over the ’stage 1′ hurdle. Also, if you’re a beginner you have a lot to learn. A trainer will show you how to do things correctly so you don’t end up with an injury. As you feel more comfortable with the exercises and as your trainer becomes confident that you are doing everything correctly, you can expect that you will become more confident and be able to work out on your own.
If you’ve been working out on your own and following the same routine for a long time I suggest meeting with a trainer once a month to change things up a bit. Maybe you’ve heard about ‘confusing your body’? In exercise, one of the most ineffective things you can do is repeat the same thing day in day out for weeks, months or even years. It’s not as uncommon as you might think for someone to do the same exercises for 10 years or more! Don’t fall into this. By changing your routine frequently you are confusing your body, challenging it and forcing it to adjust its response. This is a good thing. If you find yourself falling into a rut, getting bored or too comfortable have a trainer give you some new exercises and mix it up once a month.
Of course when you’re trying to figure out how often to see a trainer budget is going to come up. The two of you can talk about what you have to spend and they will help you to get the most out of your money. It’s the trainer’s job to assess the situation and make suggestions about what they think will be helpful. The two of you can then decide together how you will move forward.
Remember you don’t have to sign on for a package of sessions right away. Take your time in deciding if you have picked the right person and if you want to keep working with them. It may seem like a lot of money but if you re lucky enough to find a trainer you enjoy and you’re getting results, I am confident that it will be worth every dime!
Picking the right Denver Personal Trainer will make or break your resolution to get in shape. We can be your fitness confidant and sketch a individual workout plan that is best for you. Visit www.filettifitness.com today for more information.