Personal trainers love to share their experience and dedication with their clients. Helping people to reach their goals is what gives them the satisfaction and a love for going to work every day. Here are a few tips to get the best out of your personal training or workout experience:

1. A personal trainer cannot immediately undo a week of poor food choices. Before hiring a trainer, ask yourself: “Am I really ready to commit and make a permanent lifestyle change?” Even though you spend an hour at the gym, the remaining 23 hours must be filled with good, healthy habits because weight loss does not just happen in the gym. It consists of 80 per cent diet, sleep, stress and, lastly, exercise.

2. Personal trainers often get blamed for their clients’ lack of results. While a personal trainer should offer guidance that will empower their clients to make good decisions outside of the gym, the client must be willing to listen to and adhere the instructions of the trainer. He/she should also look at his/her overall lifestyle and start implementing small changes on a daily basis that can help to improve overall health and boost energy levels.

3. A one-hour personal training session or class may not be needed for everyone. The length of your workout depends on a wide variety of factors such as your body type, goals, experience, and intensity of training. If you are doing any additional physical activities outside of personal training, be sure to mention it to your trainer to ensure that you are not hindering your goals.

4. Soreness after weight training is not an accurate way to determine an effective workout. Your body will be sore when you perform an activity that is new to your workout regime. For example, if you are lifting weights for the first time or training at a higher intensity, you may feel sore. However, in time your body will adapt to these challenges and your soreness should gradually decrease.

5. Open communication is a must. Your personal trainer normally knows when you are adhering to the plan set for you. If you are struggling with something, please let the trainer know. This week a client mentioned her struggle of balancing work and meal planning. She was also concerned about her overall fitness. I appreciated her openness and we are now working out a plan to help her move forward.

6. Hydration and proper nutrition is essential. If your progress stagnates, don’t think that you need to eat less. As your fitness level and physical strength increases, so do your caloric needs. Keep a food diary and share it with your personal trainer or nutritionist if you find yourself at a standstill. Sharing this information can help to formulate a positive solution.

Whatever you choose to do, don’t wait too long. Make a commitment and B-Active For Life!

Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than eight years of experience. Check her out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/B.ActiveForLife