How to Get the Most Out of a Personal Trainer Session

Because the nation's waistline keeps growing, so does people's use of personal trainers. Prices range from $40 to $200 per session, depending on where you live and the experience of your trainer. Celebrity trainers may charge $400 or more per session. While using a trainer on a regular basis may be too expensive, doing one or two sessions to set up a workout routine and teach you proper form is worth the money. Make sure the trainer is certified by a reputable organization and has at least one year of experience. Good certifying bodies include the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your trainer to fill out your health information while you warm up on the treadmill or on a recumbent bike. Your trainer must be aware of your medical history before he can design your workout routine. For example, someone with high blood pressure or lower back pain will require a different program than someone without such issues. This consultation may be the most important part of your session, as it can help you stay injury-free when following your new program later, so do not rush through it.

    • 2

      Specify your fitness goals. The more specific you are about what you want, the better your program will be. Remember that certain things, such as losing fat from your thighs but not from your chest or getting a flat stomach only by doing crunches, are not possible---no matter what infomercials touting exercise equipment claim.

    • 3

      Ask questions when you do not understand an exercise. Most trainers are happy to explain why a certain exercise is done and how it can be modified when you get stronger. Listen carefully to make sure you do the exercise correctly. If you do not like a certain exercise, ask your trainer for a different one that exercises the same muscles.

    • 4

      Go for the basics and take notes. Unless you are very experienced in working out, focus on developing a program that incorporates simple, easy-to-remember exercises. While you may think you will remember how to do that fancy lunge with the overhead dumbbell press, most likely you will not.

    • 5

      Consider attending a second training session a month later to make sure you are doing everything correctly. Your brain can only process so much in one hour.