What to Know Before Working Out with a Personal Trainer at the Gym
Finding a personal trainer at a gym near you
Whether you’re a gym newcomer or a long-time fitness enthusiast, working out with a personal trainer can help you maximize your time at the gym and reach your goals faster. If you’re thinking about hiring a gym personal trainer for the first time, here’s what you should know.
Why personal training makes a difference
First, what makes personal training different from other fitness activities? Let us explain.
Even though all kinds of exercise – including solo workouts and group fitness classes – are beneficial for your body and mind, working out with a personal trainer has a few extra advantages. That’s because trainers know how to develop a plan that’s customized specifically for you and takes into account your goals, experience, lifestyle, and injury history.
Personal trainers are accredited and certified professionals who are there to help you find long-term success. During your sessions, you’ll get expert advice on health and fitness, including what types of exercises will benefit you most and how to work out safely and maintain proper form. Not only can you apply these lessons during your training session, but you can also keep them in mind any time you hit the gym – whether you’re alone or with a trainer.
When you hire a personal trainer, you’re making a commitment – not just to your health but also to your trainer. If someone is counting on you to show up and give it your all, you’re more likely to stick to your fitness program and accomplish your goals. If you’ve struggled with accountability or motivation in the past, working with a gym personal trainer is an excellent way to improve in those areas.
Membership Has Its Advantages!
Members can get access to our gyms, tennis courts, golf courses, pools, ice skating rink, pickleball courts, and much more! Use the form below to have a member advocate get in touch with you about becoming a member.
How to find a gym for personal training
Before meeting with any personal fitness trainers, your first step is to consider your fitness goals. Are you looking to lose weight, get back into the gym after an injury, or simply maintain your current fitness level? Whatever your goals are, your personal trainer will help you create a plan to get there – but first, you need to know what you’re hoping to achieve with your training sessions.
Once you’ve defined your goals, it’s time to find your trainer. A great way to start is by researching the major gyms and fitness clubs in your area, where you’ll find knowledgeable trainers with different areas of specialization and expertise. At Columbia Association (CA), for example, we have a fantastic team of certified personal, professional, and elite trainers, each of whom has years of experience in diverse areas of physical fitness.
If you’ve found a gym that you like but aren’t sure which personal trainer is best for you, ask the staff for their recommendations. Many fitness centers – including CA – can match you with a trainer based on your goals, schedule, and interests.
Next, reach out to the club and ask about setting up a consultation with one of their personal trainers. For this initial meeting, your objective is to introduce yourself and explain what you’re looking to get out of personal training while also getting to know them and understanding how they can help you achieve your fitness goals.
Not sure what to ask? Use these questions as a starting point:
- What are your credentials and qualifications?
- Do you specialize in any areas?
- What’s your coaching style?
- How have you helped clients like me in the past?
- What are your expectations of me?
- How do you like to motivate your clients?
By having these types of conversations with trainers in advance, you can find out whether you’re on the same page and feel more comfortable about working together. Everyone approaches training differently, so don’t feel discouraged if it takes a few tries to find the right fit.
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Personal training options at CA
If you’re ready to take the next step in your fitness journey and start working with a fitness personal trainer, CA is happy to help. We have three fitness clubs across Columbia, with a friendly team of certified trainers who can create a fitness program that’s customized just for you.
We offer one-on-one personalized coaching and training, including virtual personal training and 30-minute express training sessions. If you prefer to work out as part of a group, we also have group personal training programs to keep you moving and motivated in a community setting.
You don’t need to live in Columbia or be a CA member to sign up for personal training, but sessions are discounted if you have a membership. To get started, give us a call or submit your information through our online form.
