Working out while on holiday

So....what's your excuse?

How not to communicate to your overweight, sensitive, client...Personal Trainer Dont's

It is true that staying with a program aimed to change one's lifestyle to a more healthier one is challenging. Many make resolutions that do not make it past month 1. Many more keep the resolution as a thought only. It's difficult enough as it is, without we personal trainers making it harder by shredding you to pieces when you cannot perform that last rep. Shame on us. 

Motivation is over half our work. Our knowledge, experience and attention to you does not matter as much as keeping you interested and inspired to continue with your program. 

Seeing the TV trainers do their thing, you would be mistaken to think that this is a day to day in our lives. Shouting at the contestants in those shows meant to inspire you into changing your own lives - Never mind that the contestants are cocooned and given all the tools they need...and have signed contracts. This is not the same in real life. Real life needs some empathy, real life needs you to consider your revenue streams and whether putting a person who is already down into the pits will give you a positive revenue stream...chances are it will not.

Motivational strategies for each client differ, here are some things I have observed, sometimes to my disgust, during sessions with clients.

1. Comments meant to insult and that impune on poor character on the part of the client when the client states that they are tired, sore, or feel beaten by life, the workout...anything. What about this will spur the person into action? Especially when dealing with fragile egos, this is more likely to make one a little or a lot depressed and not follow through with their program.

2. Walking away, taking more interest in your phone, leaving the training area numerous times, making every exercise seem like an afterthought....you're just not interested in your client! You're also giving them an excuse to say that you do not make an effort and thus they are not seeing any changes...no other factors will be taken into account.

3. Not imparting knowledge. Personal training today has become a life coaching job. Nothing can be done in isolation. I take pride in explaining to my clients exactly why I prescribe something to them and why proper form is important e.t.c. I also never design a program that does not include some tips on eating. There is always a caveat, I am not a nutritionist, but when I want results for myself I do this. That is enough.

4. Asking...so what did we do last time....Really?

5. Calling your client fat. - Yes it happens. There are some who believe that using such terms will make your client realise that they need to make a change. They are with you, they already know that. Rubbing it in their face will not make them affirm this decision, it only benefits you the trainer, and how that is, I am not sure.

I actually wrote this post after a close friend who used to be a client confessed she felt demeaned by treatment she received from a trainer. So much so that she chose to continue her journey at home as she waits for my calendar to clear up so that we could begin training together again.

Shame on you for putting her down....I wonder how far up the ladder that has taken you. In my books, you're lower than a worm.

Have an active day!

Lose Forty (40%) More Fat This way!

That got you here didn't it? I bet in a little while this post is going to be the most visited on this blog...even more than the weight loss supplement post (the supplements which I'm against?)

I have met a few cardio queens in my day, but one impressed me most. She ran on an incline on the treadmill, left that and took up the skipping rope, left that and cooled off on the bike. Her shirt was dripping, she had a smile on her face, that was a terrific workout. Why dear lady don't you pick up some iron...I don't want to grow masculine she said...I told her, they have been lying to you. (this actually happened...not as romanticized as this but yeah, I do approach sweaty people at the gym. It's a hobby :-) )

So, you want to look like this...

Then you're going to have to do a lot of this

Both are one and the same woman. Nicole Wilkins (the lady with a banging body above) is a figure competitor.

Not convinced?

Let's go back to the fat burning issue. Research has shown that those who exercise using resistance exercise lost 40% more fat than those who did pure cardio or diet only. Who doesn't want less fat? Less fat means you look better with your clothes off. Who doesn't want that?

So, dear dieter and cardio believer. Cardio is great when you want to build endurance and when you have a lot of weight to lose. But, you lose muscle also, which makes you jump up and down when you step on a scale BUT you will burn less calories overall when you're lazing around at home, because muscle burns more at rest. Your clothes will not fit better, because one pound of fat occupies around 18% more space than muscle.

We're walking on water already, do you still have doubt? Take my hand....

You will get fitter, faster, with weights.

Yes, you can get the same endurance training with weights as you do running a marathon. Try circuit training. It elevates your heart rate much the same as running does. Try HIIT training using your own body weight. Don't believe this can be difficult? Do the insanity fitness test, your own body weight will give you a butt whopping. Don't know what the insanity fitness test is? Google Shaun T.

Forget the light weight high repetitions you have been fed through out the years. The light weight used is usually too light to challenge your body.

Lift something heavy today, you will feel powerful. That, you can take to the bank.