How often you meet with your trainer is probably going to change over time based on things like schedule, your needs at a particular time and finances. As a personal trainer for 10 years, I have clients that I meet with as little as once a month and clients that I see as often as 4 times a week. Sometimes people have an idea of how often they want to meet with me and other times they are looking to me for guidance in making this decision. I will make suggestions and usually we end up figuring it out together. While you’re trying to figure out what’s right for you, it’s important to consider things like your level of experience and your patterns of success and failure.
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.
Lots of people are very well aware of what to do at the gym but just can’t seem to get to the gym. If this sounds familiar, it’s probably a good idea to always have a weekly appointment on the calendar. Accountability is a very legitimate reason to have a trainer. My clients say to me all the time: “If I didn’t have this appointment, I wouldn’t have exercised today.” Be honest with yourself and if you know you won’t do it on your own then some accountability might be just what you need.
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 another big part of this decision is how much you can afford. I suggest figuring out your budget and telling your trainer what you can spend. Then ask your trainer what they think would be the best way to spread out the sessions. I always encourage my beginner clients to do more sessions in the begging and then start spreading the gap. So, let’s say my beginner client can do 10 sessions. I would do 3 appointments the first 2 weeks, 2 appointments the following week and 1 appointment for the last 2 weeks. Here’s why: Practicing repeatedly with your trainer will ensure that you know the correct way to exercise using good form so that you won’t hurt yourself. Also, it’s very important in the beginning of any exercise program to get off to a good start. Meeting your trainer frequently will help you gain the momentum you need to carry you through a successful long-term program.
I think it’s safe to say that if it were free, we would all love to have a trainer to work with several times a week. Even trainers would love to have a trainer! Unfortunately, most people just can’t afford it, not for the long term anyway. The good news is that having a trainer doesn’t have to break you bank. Trainers charge different rates so look for someone in your budget. Don’t be shy about asking if their rates are negotiable, many trainers offer sliding scales and discounts. If you talk to them about what you can afford, they can help you so that you get the most out of your money. My #1 suggestion is to not try to stretch a dollar in the beginning. Start out with several sessions in the beginning and eventually distance the time between sessions. It may seem like a lot of money but if you re lucky enough to find a trainer you enjoy and if 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 goal to get fit. We can be your fitness confidant and create a individual workout plan that is best for you. Visit www.filettifitness.com today for more information.