Personal Training - a client’s perspective
Is personal training really about tough fitness sessions? Is it as extreme as the media and our perceptions lead us to believe? Do you have to join a gym to see a specialist? What if it isn't just about the exercise?
Today's post below, is a contribution from a client who was very kind to share her own experience of personal training. It may not be what you expect to hear...
How did it all begin?
I have 3 sessions of personal training a week with Paul – and have done since last July. How did I get so motivated?!
Back to the beginning. At 54, piling headlong into a slightly overweight and unfit middle age, I found myself getting increasingly fed up with my complete inability to focus on losing weight and feeling well. I knew I needed to do something but couldn’t settle on exactly what. I had spent many years of my life horse riding and had taken strength and fitness for granted. Giving up horses was a big lifestyle change and I drifted from one keep fit fad to another. I fell while climbing and twisted my back and that made me slightly fearful of some exercise options, which didn’t help.
Last summer, having had to commit to buying trousers in a size 14 instead of my usual 12, I realised I had to do something – the old saying of ‘use it or lose it’ kept coming into my mind. I didn’t want to go running. I walk miles with my partner and friends, but once you’re able to happily walk 5 miles in an outing, to increase that just takes too much time out of the day. And I knew walking wasn’t enough. I didn't fancy going to the gym – I always get slightly intimidated by the equipment and some of the other clients – I’m also quite lazy and the effort of getting in the car, finding somewhere to park etc would eventually cause me to find excuses not to go. I know from experience that if something isn’t easy to manage in my routine, I’ll eventually find reasons not to do it.
I have a friend who lives in Yorkshire (same age as me) and she was using a personal trainer – and I could see a real difference in her weight and shape – she looked great – I felt positively dumpy beside her. So – maybe it would work for me?
Finding the right person
So – step 1. Find a PT that I liked. But how did it work? Were they all allied to a gym? I didn’t know anybody local using anyone so couldn’t get a personal recommendation – so I turned to google. I read quite a few sites from different trainers, but kept coming back to Paul’s. I used to row as a teenager so liked that aspect of his background. So one night, emboldened by a glass of wine, I filled in the form on his site and hit send. Next day he was in touch and we made an appointment to meet up – a chemistry meeting – would I like him? Would he like me? Was I a lost cause? How did it work? Lot’s of questions running through my mind when he arrived that first afternoon for a chat.
I was amazed to learn how it all worked. The fact that he comes to me, that we could easily work in the garden and the conservatory if wet, and the range of activities possible. I didn’t have to join a gym or invest in any expensive kit – just some suitable clothes and a decent pair of trainers. Easy.
Planning ahead
Step 2. Say yes and get some sessions booked in. I don’t want to go running I said. I need to lose a stone and I want to look more toned. So no pressure on Paul! Lesson 1 – exercise alone won’t help you lose weight – you need to pay attention to nutrition as well. Hmm. I’ve always tried to eat well – lots of veg and fruit, good quality meats and fish – no takeaways and minimal ready meals. But was I ready to exercise and cut down on all the lovely sweet things I so enjoy. Eek!
So – step 3. Decision time. I decided to try and achieve a level of fitness before thinking about food. One thing at a time, don’t bite off more than you can chew etc. So at the end of June we started. At that point I was 11st and pretty unfit.
I measured my waist and hips and vowed to weigh and measure myself no more than once a month. In the first few weeks we tried all the different options – rowing, boxing (great fun!), circuits, free weights, skipping, core work, stretching and resistance training.
We have a LOT of steps in our garden so that helps too. I was concerned that I would hurt my back again so Paul was really good at ensuring my technique was correct for every exercise, and could see when I was tiring – helping me know which ones to avoid and when to stop before any risk of straining muscles or damaging my back.
Enjoying the process?!
Astonishingly – I found myself not only enjoying it – but fitting in some more work in between his visits – and looking forward to it. It went from something to be endured, to something I really enjoyed. And still do.
In the September I started cutting out that glass of wine on weeknights that had turned into a habit, and keeping them to the weekends only. In January I started to really pay attention to nutrition – trying to reduce the refined sugar in my diet, and concentrate on good carbs not bad ones. I love cake (!) and sweet things generally, so found it hard to start with, but after a few weeks, and crucially – seeing a difference on the scales, it became easier. Oh – and I managed a completely dry January, playing no jokers – for the first time in my life.
Successful outcomes
Now – by mid February, I have lost 9lbs, 9cms off my waist and 7cms off my hips. Amazing. I feel so much better, and am a lot fitter. The difference is incredible – my rowing is much faster and easier, I can run 5/6kms without whinging (I know, I know, I said I didn’t want to run but once in a while sploshing through some puddles over the Nower is good fun). I get bored holding a plank long before I collapse, Paul has had to buy some better boxing pads to cope with my technique (I can dream) and I feel good. I look forward to my sessions – I don’t ache afterwards, I finish them energised – and it’s 3hrs of ‘me’ time a week which I really appreciate. I’m not there yet – I’d like to lose another 5/6lbs and get under 10st – and I might even make some of the parkruns at Denbies when they start.
Why didn’t I do this years ago? I hope some of you might recognise yourselves in what I’ve shared. If I can do it, you can too.
Final note
Since this has been written. The same person has since completed her first local Parkrun and is planning her second - despite saying she didn't want to do any running at the beginning... Despite saying she would rather wait until the dry summer weather would come in...
'OMG!! What have you created?'... her friend asked me recently.
In the words of Han Solo - 'it's not my fault'...I replied back. This came of her own volition.
The truth is - there is more to personal training than you might realise. Obviously it depends on who you decide to train with!
December 2021 - You should hear the latest update!
