Choosing a Personal Trainer

Choosing a good Personal Trainer can be a bit like choosing a husband.
It’s important that you click with them, enjoy spending
lots of time with them and share the same goal – ie,
your fitness. If you’re going to be investing your time
and money into this long-term commitment, it’s important that
you shop around thoroughly before settling for the right one.
Here are some very important factors to take into consideration:
personality
If you click with someone initially this is a fairly good indicator
that you will work well together. If, after a few meetings, you feel
as though there is something not right, this isn’t the person for
you. You will be spending a good amount of time with your PT so
having a good working relationship will be important for you to
want to attend your sessions.
your personal programme
A “client-centred” programme is one of the most important
features you can look for when shopping around. This means
that the PT will do their utmost to assess your current fitness
condition, and formulate a programme exclusively for your
needs. A good PT with a client-centred programme will:
• offer a lifestyle assessment all about you
• have you fill out a PAR-Q form (Pre-participation questionnaire)
• ask you about specific goals and discuss how best to attain them
• do fitness and lifestyle tests with you, eg, blood pressure
reading, strength and/or cardiovascular testing,
measurements (All of these monitor your progress and can
help motivate you to see results and reach your goals)
• ask you what activities you like or dislike. Are they then
making you do activities you dislike? This will not help you to
adhere to a programme
• offer to set up programmes for you when you are away from
the gym or on holiday/business trips
• look at you as a whole person; eg, lifestyle, foods and
exercise
• offer to speak with other practitioners in your life, such as
your physiotherapist, GP, osteopath, massage therapist, etc
• communicate well with you and show up on time
location
If you already belong to a gym, look at the PT board and read about
each professional. The ones who have experience in the areas
you need help with will be a good start. If you don’t have gym
membership you may want a trainer who visits your home. A
good place to start is on the Register of Exercise Professionals
website in the UK or in your country a fitness association or register. You can also look on the net generally or find
advertisements in health and fitness magazines, but keep in mind
all of the above qualifications mentioned when shopping around.
education
Tertiary education is probably the most important box to tick. A
PT with a sports science or physical education degree means you
have someone with advanced training in anatomy, physiology and
other human studies essential for creating a safe and effective
programme. Having said this, there are many great trainers who
have taken other forms of professional qualifications.
training
Professional qualifications are shorter-term courses than tertiary
education degrees. If you choose a trainer with this type of
background, ensure the qualifications are the equivalent to an
NVQ Level 2 or above. Professional qualifications can come
from around the world. Some of the best are from America. The
NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) offers a
certified strength and conditioning specialist diploma as well as
other levels of certification. To take this course a trainer must
already have a degree. The ACSM (American College of Sports
Medicine) is another highly recommended certification.
cost
Ask about prices before you start, and make sure you’re
comfortable with what’s on offer. If you can only buy 30
sessions up front and there are no other choices, you may want
to look elsewhere. If they offer you different packages to suit
your needs then they are offering a good service.
Overall, you want someone with strong qualifications, a
personality that works well with yours, a convenient location
and an affordable cost scheme. If you choose carefully and
know exactly what to look for, you and your PT can achieve
excellent results, together.

Good luck with it and have fun on your new adventure.

Charlene

Athena Talk

To my amazing Athena girls,

What a day yesterday. I fell into bed at 10pm totally blissfully exhausted after sharing my knowledge and passions on fitness and health with all of you! My sincerest hope is that with the tools you have now for your own tool boxes you can make a fresh start on a healthier lifestyle.
Here are some points to ponder in follow up:

-Be easy on yourself, changes take time, enjoy the journey and discovering new feelings, emotions etc
-Plan ahead on things like purchasing food, slotting in activities etc
-Start slowly with the movements. This will keep you injury free and give you a feeling of success!
-Again, slowly slowly......All or nothing does not work in fitness!
-Believe you can do things you have never tried.
-If you need help in certain areas, seek out a professional. There is so much support in the world, find it and use it!
-Start TODAY, not Monday!!!
-Health is "just a part of your life." Meaning: Once you find what you like to do with fitness/activity and your food, just let it happen. Sort of like how nike says, "Just do it!"
-Let go of the neurosis over food. Many women give themselves a hard time and feel alot of guilt. Imagine the freedom you are going to feel once you let this go. Very empowering and it IS in your power to do this.

Again, girls, enjoy the journey! Embrace every moment of your life as this is all we have.

Charlene

First Entry

Well, it's time for me to start writing my first blog entry on my new blog. I have seen so many other wonderful and creative blogs over the past few months. One woman from my hometown wrote about how she is proud to be Canadian, another is writing about her escapades with food and yet another about her personal life and her children. I am going to write little bits about myself and Positively Slim. It seems a lovely combination to speak about one's self and their love for their chosen career.
I am one of those lucky people who loves what they do on a daily basis. Oh, of course I have a day or two when I get tired but that is because there are just so many exciting prospects in my business. Fitness, health, great nutrition and wellness are such an important part of every human being's life. I have gotten beyond the point of not understanding how so many of us can walk through life without taking care of our own body, psyche, emotions etc. I just get on with it and help people now as it seems a better way to use my energy. And you know what, it really works.
I am now keeping track of five lovely women who have found Positively Slim's online starter package. They are all going through similar ups and downs in the first month. As they say, "on the wagon, off the wagon, oh, back on the wagon, and off again!" I tell them to approach their food and movement in such a way that it just happens once they have done a small amount of planning. And if it happens that it doesn't happen on a particular day, they pick themselves up and do it again the next and the next and the next.
Fitness, health, great nutrition and wellness are choices. Some of us have blocks to feeling better but if they are discovered, embraced and realized feeling better in one's body can be a reality. Thankfully there are caring people like myself out there to guide people along. I just hope I can find all those who want the help.
More on my next entry about planning how to be active and where you can fit some activity into your schedule.
Take care today and be good to yourselves.

Fitness, health,