Maximizing Your Personal Training Experience
A fitness professional provides guidance, accountability, and expertise - but you’ll get more from them by bringing your best attitude.
Photo Credit: Becca Heuer
Introduction
You have many excellent options for personal trainers in Evanston. As a wellness-focused community, you can find experts with many different specialties. These include areas ranging from online strength coaching to mobility.
Some also serve special populations, such as pre-natal women or special needs.
Many trainers work out of personal training studios in Evanston so that you can choose your vibe and community.
I've written another article about finding the best personal trainer for you (click here for access), so this piece is slightly different.
The following guide shows the mindsets and behaviors you can practice to get the most from your training experience.
That doesn’t mean you have to fake enthusiasm or always push yourself to 10/10. Instead, align your expectations with the background and role of your trainer while being communicative and coachable.
Understand the Background of Your Personal Trainer
Every fitness professional brings a unique philosophy, background, and set of skills. While the best ones adapt to their clients, shopping around is worthwhile.
You want their services to match their expectations.
Ask for referrals and consultations, and try 1-2 sessions before committing.
Here are just a few examples of different styles among Evanston personal trainers.
Large boot camp classes. The instructor brings high energy to their sessions, creating a dynamic environment that makes you want to push yourself. Part of the fun is that you're part of a community.
Small group classes or semi-private training. This format allows for more personalization while still working with others in a supportive, challenging environment.
Mobility specialists. They often focus on creating precise movement patterns to reduce pain or restore daily function. Many give clients access to an online library of exercises. Part of your training program could include doing some homework between sessions.
Powerlifting coaches or sports performance coaches. They develop personalized training programs to improve athletic performance. You will typically execute these independently with the option for in-person sessions.
Online powerlifting coaches. They rely on technology and individual motivation. You will likely work exclusively within a coaching app to execute your program.
Understand the Role of Your Fitness Professional
Imagine that you're walking down a dark path at night. You're taking one careful step at a time because you have no idea where you're going.
Now, assume that you're handed a powerful flashlight. It can illuminate your immediate next steps and show you different paths further in the distance.
As a result, you're empowered to make a decision. Do you want to take the long but steady course? Or do you prefer the more arduous trail that gets you to your destination sooner?
Personal trainers or coaches are your fitness flashlight. They cut through the darkness of myth and misinformation, giving you clear next steps. They also show you different ways of reaching your fitness goals, whether building more muscle for sports performance or improving cardiovascular capacity for longevity.
However, a personal trainer will not drag you along the path while you kick back. You must still put in the effort and the attitude to keep walking.
Be Coachable
Once you have clear expectations of your trainer and their expertise, ensure you come with the right attitude.
Practice a Growth Mindset
Training offers an excellent venue for shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. As with anything else worth having, you can develop this skill with intentional practice.
Whether you fail a PR or fall out of your workout routine, you will have many setbacks. With these comes the chance to reframe these as opportunities.
Thankfully, trainers excel in guiding you through this part of your journey.
Focus on Consistency Over Max Effort
The evidence is overwhelming: successful fitness plans are ones that you'll stick to. That's true whether your goal is to compete at a high level in powerlifting or live longer.
You will be amazed how much progress you can make with regular attendance. You'll supercharge your gains if you pair consistency with giving your best effort on any given day.
Note that your trainer will help gauge your best effort at any given moment. They might recommend holding back on the intensity if you're struggling with work and family stress.
But they'll also push you if they think you'll benefit from overcoming a mental hurdle.
Hear their recommendations while actively communicating your needs. Collaboration is at the heart of the training relationship.
Training offers a chance to practice key skills like growth mindset and active breathing. These translate into other parts of your life if done with intention.
Keep an Open Mind
If you're seeking a personal trainer, it's likely because you want to change something. It could be your strength for the Crossfit games, the ability to sustain bench press PRs, or your general fitness.
Here's the reality: change comes when you embrace uncertainty and try new things. The best way to try new things is with professional guidance.
Pursuing change will still be daunting.
Our brains crave easy patterns and the path of least resistance. You may feel fear and anxiety before attempting your first barbell deadlift or box jump or changing from a program that brought you past gains.
Your trainer is there to help you acknowledge those feelings - but you need to be the one to push yourself past any self-imposed mental limitations.
become a mindful athlete
A good trainer will create a focused but fun environment. They should commit to giving you 100% of their physical and mental energy (and if they don't, you should pursue other options).
Match their attention by putting your phone away. This is your time - and an excellent opportunity to practice your boundaries.
In addition, being in the moment lets you get in tune with your body, which means you'll internalize cues better and provide clearer feedback.
You can learn more about mindful athletics by reading my article at this link.
Respect the Time of Your Trainer
Nothing sours the personal training relationship as quickly as ignoring this rule.
If you're paying your trainer for hourly sessions, skipping without notice affects their livelihood. You're taking sessions away from another paying client or the ability to use the hour more productively.
While trainers understand that issues arise, do everything possible to communicate absences far in advance.
And be willing to accept accountability if you fail to follow this rule. Most will charge you for the entire session or, at the least, a cancelation fee.
Conclusion
Your personal training experience is a partnership that thrives on collaboration, communication, and commitment. Focus on building a relationship that enhances trust; you'll see better, more sustainable results.
Chris Van Nostrand offers personal training in Evanston and online strength and conditioning coaching. He specializes in barbell lifting for athletes over 40.
