How often you meet with your trainer is probably going to change over time based on things like schedule, your needs at a particular time and finances. As a personal trainer for 10 years, I have clients that I meet with as little as once a month and clients that I see as often as 4 times a week. Sometimes people have an idea of how often they want to meet with me and other times they are looking to me for guidance in making this decision. I will make suggestions and usually we end up figuring it out together. While you’re trying to figure out what’s right for you, it’s important to consider things like your level of experience and your patterns of success and failure.
The less experienced you are, the more often I recommend meeting with a trainer especially in the beginning. Maybe three times a week for 4 weeks. After you’ve learned enough of the basics you could start to see the trainer less frequently. Here’s why: People that don’t know much about exercise and form have a lot to learn and that’s what the trainer is there for. In the beginning I suggest doing all of your weight workouts supervised by a trainer until your form is really good. I call it my ‘high five of approval’. I will not send a client off to do weight lifting exercises on their own until I am 100% confident that their form is great. Otherwise, the result is that they may do it wrong and end up with an injury. Exercising on your own is a decision that you and your trainer should make together. Create momentum in the beginning.
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.
If you are at a pretty good level of fitness but you do the same exercises all the time, having an appointment once a month to spice up your routine is a great idea. Here’s why: Have you heard people talk about the need to ‘confuse your body’? What it basically means is that you don’t want you body to become too comfortable. This happens when you do the same thing all the time. Ideally, you should be challenging your body and ‘confusing’ it by doing different exercises with different levels of exertion. This is the best way to optimize your exercise. So, if you find yourself bored in your routine or not challenged but motivated enough to do it on your own, you would greatly benefit from a once a month appointment. The new material will keep you challenged and engaged.
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.
Remember that the frequency of your training is not set in stone. Sometimes it may be more frequently, other times less frequently depending on what’s going on in your life. Your trainer will always work with you to do what is appropriate at any given time. If you’re lucky enough to have a trainer that you really enjoy and that’s helping you to get the results you want, they’re probably going to be in your life for a long time!
Choosing the right Denver Personal Trainer will make or break your resolution to get fit. Let us be your fitness confidant and sketch a individual workout plan that is best for you. Visit www.filettifitness.com today for more information.