As a personal trainer for 10 years, I have worked with clients as infrequently as once a month and as frequently as 6 times a week. A good rule of thumb is the less experience and knowledge you have about exercise, the more necessary it is to meet frequently especially in the beginning. Maybe you have been working out a long time but you still need that accountability so one weekly appointment is enough. Some people are motivated to workout on their own and just want to ‘check-in’ once a month to get some new material. There is no right answer because it depends on your particular needs and wants. Below are my recommendations:
If you are totally new to exercise, schedule 2 or 3 appointments a week for at least 3 weeks. The beginning of a new attempt to start exercising is a critical time. Most people fall off in the first month due to injury or lack of motivation. Think of all of the people who make new years resolutions to get in shape. You know as well as I know that the odds are not with them that it will last. If this sounds familiar, you have to break the pattern!
If falling off your exercise schedule is a pattern for you then I suggest having once or twice weekly appointments with your trainer indefinitely. Here’s why: An appointment with your trainer once a week makes you accountable and that’s good. I have clients that I’ve worked with once or twice a week for 9 years and counting! Before they started working with me, their exercise came in waves. Not now. I keep them on track. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients say to me “I never would have worked out today if we didn’t have this appointment.” Be honest with yourself, there’s no shame in admitting that you just won’t do it on your own but then do something about it. Trainers understand.
Lots of people know what to do at the gym but they can’t seem to get to the gym. If you know you have a hard time making it happen I suggest maintaining a weekly appointment with a trainer. So often my clients will say to me “I never would have come today if we didn’t have this appointment.” Accountability is a perfectly fine reason to have a trainer. Keeping that appointment on the calendar ensures that weeks and months aren’t going to go by without working out. It’s easy to blow off a workout we schedule with ourselves it’s a lot harder to blow off a workout scheduled with you trainer.
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 correct Denver Personal Trainer can make or break your resolution to get in shape. Let us be your fitness confidant and create a individual workout plan that is best for you. Visit www.filettifitness.com right now for more information.