Personal Training From the Client's Perspective

Training from the Inside

Part 2: Starting Out With a Personal Trainer

So where were we? Oh, that's right, I had been training for several years and had gone from being a 90lb weakling to being in decidedly average shape. A major upgrade! I had long since hit a plateau and decided that I should try working out with a personal trainer. I wanted to be able to write on dating websites that I was 'athletic' not 'average.' Who aspires to be average?

I had just moved from London to New York and was more than a little intimidated by these huge gyms that were stacked with guys that looked as though they started lifting in the crib and woman who all seemed to be underwear models for Victoria's Secret. Did these people eat, like ever?

Reassuring myself that my new trainer was going to get me in great shape within a few weeks, I decided that I could at least look the part. My training gear from the UK comprised of a brown baggy t-shirt and similar shorts which meant that I looked like an English version of Elmer Fudd. This had to change. So, along I went to one of these athletic superstores to be presented with a dizzying array of clothing, from lacrosse to diving. Finding the running section I picked out a selection of things and headed home.

Changing into my new attire right before my first appointment with my new trainer, Darren, I was regretting my decision to not try my gym kit on earlier. The shirt had some lycra in it yet was baggy, not a good look. In my haste, I had selected items from the same section. Everything matched. Everything. If I had been wearing leg warmers I would have been a dead ringer for Olivia Newton John in her 1980's heyday, except she had bigger arms. I now realize that nobody cares what you wear to the gym, people are busy with their own lives, you just need to wear comfortable clothing that fits and is appropriate for a public place.

I was impressed by my trainer right away when, rather than laughing loudly at my hideous ensemble, his pupils merely dilated ever so slightly and he shook my hand. We headed into the office and he chatted through what my goals were. To lose fat? To build muscle? To improve my cardiovascular conditioning? To feel just a little better about myself? Was it greedy to want all four I asked and he set about scribbling notes and asking me about my training regime. How long had I been training? Five years. Again that pupil dilation. How many times a week? Three. Consistently? Err, no. How often on average then? Maybe two, when I go. I take months off, several months off at a time... It seemed to be a familiar story. Full of enthusiasm, people go to the gym and last a few weeks, maybe months, before commitment wanes and life gets in the way. Finally you skip a workout, and then a few more and before you know it, you are paying for a gym membership you never use.

Darren suggested we take some measurements; my waist, arms, shoulders, chest, thighs and calves. It is easy to become discouraged as you fail to notice differences in yourself from day to day. By taking measurements, you see real changes each and every month, building enthusiasm for the positive effects training is having. Taking your weight is a useful indicator too, but only that, an indicator. As you lose fat and build muscle your body composition is changing. What may appear to be only a 1lb weight loss, might be 4lbs of fat lost but 3lbs of muscle gained.

He then had me do a few basic exercises to assess my strength. How many push ups could I do in a minute? About 10 seconds in he told me that moving my belly up and down while not bending my arms was not push-up. He demonstrated the proper form and I tried again. Just 10 in a minute and I was sucking wind. Crunches, which protect your lower back unlike sit ups, were next and I squeaked out a few. How could I be in such lousy shape having been training all these years? Finally, he had me use the stationary bike while wearing a heart monitor, and my cardiovascular fitness proved to be no better than my strength.

We agreed upon a three day a week schedule. Two days a week is inadequate as there are simply too many days between sessions. While I could do a third on my own, it was clear my form was horrible and the best way to exercise efficiently and safely is to use good form with controlled motions (not letting gravity or momentum assist you). I was going to need my new trainer to teach me how to exercise properly. I was also very aware of my tendency to blow the gym off if my day became hectic, which I would be less likely to do if I had a trainer waiting for me.

My job often meant I worked long hours and it was difficult to get away at any resemblance of a decent hour in the evening. We agreed that I would train with him at 7am, before I headed into the office, to provide the best chance of consistency. Darren didn't usually train clients until mid-morning but kindly offered to get up early for me.

And suddenly we were done. No training 'proper' that day, he would put together a training schedule and we were to begin the following Monday. Heading off to the changing room, I stripped out of my training clothes, which were dripping from sweat with just the few exercises we had done. I had a good feeling about this, it was going to be fun.

Back to Part 1: Time to Shape Up

On to Part 3: Training Trials and Tribulations

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