4 Things Your Personal Trainer Wants You To Know
When it comes to personal trainers we all hold high hopes and have expectations of the wonder men and women that will whip us into shape. But as with all relationships, it takes care and dedication from both parties involved. So before you turn up to your first training session, all guns blazing, here is what a personal trainer wants you to know. We turned to Adelaide based qualified nutritionist and personal trainer, Katie Kiosses of @a_way_of and F45 Henley Beach to let us in on all the secrets.
What is the biggest misconception about personal trainers?
‘Fitness professionals all look like magazine models’ – fitness professionals are still normal people, we still have ups and downs like you do and sometimes we still need to re-focus and find our motivation again or find someone to be accountable to like you do as well. Magazine covers and photoshoots take weeks fo preparing for, with tans, makeup, hair, lighting, editing, that’s not what every day people look like.
“They work out every day so are really fit and shredded” also “they are paid to workout”- Often we are training people from 5am onwards and perhaps won’t finish until 8pm some nights, we might get a couple hours off in the middle of the day but this is spent working behind the scenes, we are just as busy as you are and most trainers will sometimes struggle to fit in their own training in between clients. Yes our jobs are physical but 90% of that time is spent correcting technique and coaching rather than ‘working out’ and being physical.
‘They do it for the money’ – trainers often work split shifts, so very early mornings and late nights and most of the money earnt goes straight into paying rent for the space and equipment they are using in a gym. A lot of trainers really do do it to help you become the best version of you, you need to be passionate about helping and love what you do as a trainer to be able to survive the hours and rent!
As a personal trainer, what is one thing you would want all clients to do?
Be present in every single session and make ‘reasons’ as to why you ‘CAN’ do something rather than why you ‘can’t’. That means being open to what the session will involve, trusting your personal trainer to be able to provide you with accurate knowledge and skill set and putting in 110% every single session. It’s also very important to remember to be physically active and grasp good control over your diet in between sessions – it’s about a lifestyle change and bettering you as a person in all ways of life.
What one should never do during a class?
Complain – haha, there’s two types, one where you are complaining about how tough the session is but you are still participating properly (this is awesome), or two where you are just complaining in general and making both yourself and your trainer feel inadequate, number two is a no no. Your trainer spends a lot of time planning sessions and program writing and there’s always a reason behind why you are doing what you are doing. Turn your negativity into positivity and choose your attitude every single time you rock up to a session, to work, to a meeting etc. It’s all about the choices you make and the mindset you decide to bring with you J - also, no phone zone!
Parting thought
Everyone is different, with unique goals, body types and starting positions so most of the information provided is quite general. A good personal trainer can help you change your life, it’s not just about a session in the gym, it’s about using the tools your trainer has provided for you to go and live your best life in all areas of who you are. A good personal trainer will be able to help you pin point your realistic goals and be someone who can support you in achieving those. I also say to my clients; “I put the fuel in the tank, but you need to drive the vehicle”. I’m here to push you and support you but ultimately you need to want to make the changes yourself and actively pursue those. Anyone can achieve their goals. Live your life with a positive attitude, choose variety, fresh and real foods more often, move your body at least 30 mins a day and believe in yourself and you will be on the path to living up to your fullest potential.