What To Expect From Your First Personal Training Session
Thinking about working with a personal training might feel like an overwhelming experience. In this short post, I’m going to go through what a typical first session looks like for my clients, and how you should prepare to get the most from a conversation with a personal trainer. We’ll also talk about what’s appropriate for a personal trainer to offer as far as services and advice.
I like to start out by giving the client a very brief (less than 2 minutes) intro to my training philosophy, the organizations from which I hold certifications, and my educational background & continuing ed interests. I talk about how I’m focused on core and stability work, first and foremost, that we work on form and function so that we can progress steadily without injury, that weight training is an integral part of my programming, and that I never promise that I’ll get your to your goal weight. I am not dismissing weight loss or denying that it plays a role in our overall health, but I am saying it shouldn’t be the only thing we focus on when measuring your progress.
I can promise that from the time you start working out with me, you’ll notice that you’re feeling better, you’re moving easier, you’re paying more attention to certain aspects of your body and the way you feel on a daily basis. I can coach you through making good choices when we’re not together. I can promise that with consistency in your diet and exercise program, you’ll get to where you want to go, I’ll be here to support you. We’ll look at your health holistically, not just aesthetically.
After introducing myself, I like to have a pretty long conversation with the client about who they are and their lifestyle to understand goals and motivation. I’ll ask:
Why have you decided to reach out to a personal trainer?
Have you worked with a personal trainer previously?
What were the good and bad aspects of working with a prior trainer?
What are your goals and why did you choose those particular goals?
What are your favorite workouts? What workouts do you hate?
Do you have any health concerns related to wanting to start an exercise program?
Has this been recommended by a physician?
Do you need/have clearance from your physician to start an exercise program?
What are your expectations as far as how and when you’ll exercise?
What type of work do you do?
How often are you moving throughout the day that is not “exercise”?
From these, I tend to let the conversation flow organically, asking follow up questions as we go along. Usually, by the end of the conversation, both myself and the client will have a good feeling of whether we are a good fit. I never push a client to make a decision at that first meeting. We don’t workout during that first meeting. I don’t get their health history or collect any payment. After the conversation, I leave a New Client Package which includes a PAR-Q, a Health History Questionnaire, a Liability Waiver, a rate sheet, and my bio. I always let the client know that there is no pressure to make an immediate decision and that it’s all about fit and trust.
So what should you ask a personal trainer?
Through which organization are you certified? The most reputable are: NSCA, NASM, ACSM, ACE, and ISSA.
What type and how often do you engage in continuing education activities?
What is your educational background?
How long have you been a trainer?
What types of exercises do you program?
How do you program for “x” (arthritis, diabetes, etc is that’s a concern)?
How do you track progress?
Do you offer nutrition coaching (I wouldn’t recommend accepting meal plans from trainers; trainers are not registered dietitians. They can only offer general nutritional guidance that is outlined by the DHHS)?
Do you have relationships with other trainers in town?
Do you have relationships with the medical community?
Where do you get most of your referrals from (other clients, physicians, physical therapists)?
Was this article helpful? What else should you ask your potential trainer? What else would you like to know? Drop me a note!
In health,
CP