Chicago Personal Training

7 Questions  You Should Ask Before You Get Started

You’ve found the perfect Chicago gym, and you’re ready to get started on your fitness regimen with your personal trainer (what is a personal trainer?). Before you grab the weights, however, grab a seat … with your trainer! Turns out, chatting with him or her prior to exercising can help you get the most out of your workouts every time. These questions will start you off on the right foot with your Chicago personal training program:

1. How did you get into personal training?

Every trainer has a different story regarding how they got into personal training, and this question allows you to get to know them and their training style. Their back story could shed some light on what makes them tick and why fitness is important to them.

2. Do you specialize in any training styles?

Because many trainers have diverse fitness backgrounds, they’re all going to boast specific skills that make them unique to the industry. Here at CrossTown Fitness, for instance, you’ll find trainers who have backgrounds in kickboxing, dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics. So if you have specific goals such as mastering a right hook or conquering a muscle up, those specialized training styles become especially important.

3. How many times per week should I train? And for how long?

Discussing the frequency of your workouts with your trainer is essential. The number of times you hit the gym per week will depend on your fitness experience as well as your personal goals. Your trainer will be able to tell you how often you should be working out in order to see the results you’re looking to achieve.

4. What are some easy changes I can make to my diet?

Kettlebell swings and mountain climbers aren’t the only topics you and your trainer should talk about. Take some time to chat about your diet, and ask if there are any easy changes you can make in your eating habits that will make your workouts more effective.

5. What can I do to stay on track, even on my days off?

You and your trainer ensure that you work as hard as you can in the gym, but what happens when you go home? If you’re headed off on vacation or you’re planning on taking the weekend off to relax, ask your trainer what you can do to stay on track with your fitness goals. After all, you don’t want to negate all of that hard work you’ve done!

6. How quickly will I see results?

It’s important to get a realistic vision of how quickly a personal training program will produce those results you’re looking for, whether it’s shredded shoulders or dropping a few pounds. Your trainer will be able to give you an idea of what to expect, based on the fitness plan they have created for you. Oftentimes, you’ll start to feel results before you see them, and having this discussion with your trainer can prevent you from feeling discouraged along the way.

7. How do I deal with aches, pains, and injuries during my workouts?

Have a discussion with your trainer about how to safely work out with injuries or pains, whether you’re dealing with a sore ankle or shin splints. When you tell the trainer e xactly where you’re hurting, or where you’ve had problems in the past, they can help you determine how to exercise without further injuring yourself.

Are you ready to get started on a Chicago personal training program? We’re here to answer any questions you have!