In order to get the most out of your personal training sessions here are my suggestions on how to NOT show up for your next personal training session.
How NOT to show up for a personal training session:
1. Sick
Noone wants to be around you if you are sick. Additionally, if you aren’t feeling well, your workout will suffer. Typically if it’s above the neck, getting a cardio session in can be good for you to work out the sickness, if the congestion is in your chest, that’s a good signal to take a day off. Either way, talk to your trainer, most likely they won’t want you coming in to waste a session if you aren’t feeling your best, they may recommend getting in some moderate cardio to keep you moving but not to over-exert.
2. Dehydrated
Working out dehydrated is counterproductive. You won’t have any energy to get through the workout and you’re doing your body a disservice by dehydrating it further. Make sure the day of your workout you drink enough water throughout the day to best prepare.
3. Haven’t eaten all day
Similarly to coming in dehydrated, you won’t have any energy to get through the workout and you most likely will feel nauseous from lack of nutrition! If you don’t eat, or don’t eat nutritious food, your workout will be worthless. You will most likely need to take numerous breaks and get light-headed quickly. Pay attention to what your pre and post workout eats are on days you workout with a personal trainer so you won’t be slacking during the workout!
4. Hungover
Ok, so if you’re hungover, working out probably is a good thing to get the toxins out and your blood pumping, but don’t complain when 15 minute in you feel like you are going to vomit. Get yourself to the bathroom, take care of business and let’s get back out to lifting! If you do show up hungover, expect to be hurting during the workout. This one is usually easily avoided. Don’t schedule early weekend workouts if you know you enjoy going out late and having 1 too many drinks on Friday night.
It’s OK to show up:
1. In a bad mood
As a trainer I love when my clients come to their session in a bad mood. They are able to take that angry energy and channel it into an intense workout!
2. Stressed
Similar to being in a bad mood, coming to a workout stressed is a great way to relive your stress. You will walk out of the workout feeling as if you have a huge weight off your shoulders. You most likely won’t want to workout walking into the session due to whatever is stressing you out, but make yourself show up and let the endorphins released during your workout take over!
3. Not wanting to workout
Lets be serious, 85% of the time we don’t WANT to workout – we do it because we’ve committed to our health, we know it’s good for us and it has become routine. Don’t let yourself get lazy and skip a workout because you simply don’t want to workout. It’s OK to complain during the workout and not want to be there, as long as you show up!
You know your body best, listen to it – and don’t let your mind make excuses and talk you out of a good workout.