YOU SHOULD NOT GET A PERSONAL TRAINER…without asking these questions first.

Are you considering getting professional assistance to help you achieve your New Year’s resolution? Are you hesitant because you are unsure what to look for when hiring a trainer? You may already know to look for a certified trainer or one who holds a degree in kinesiology, to ask about the length of time they have been training or to give examples of clients who have achieved similar goals, and what the financial investment will be. However, the purpose of this article is to help you dig a little deeper. The Epic Fit Pro team is here to put your mind at ease and to help you with your decision with 5 questions to ask your trainer BEFORE you get started.

1. When should I expect to see results? By now you have seen numerous ads for fitness products or services that claim they can turn you from flab to fitness model in just 6 weeks (or any other unreasonable amount of time). As you may have come to know, those are get fit quick schemes that over promise and under deliver. Results don’t happen overnight but with the right plan, consistency, and effort most people will see an average of 1 to 2 pounds lost per week if weight loss if the primary goal (if your body fat percentage is over 15% for males and over 25% for females). For those with aspirations of adding weight, they may see an average of half a pound to 1 pound of muscle gained per week. However, if you are looking to do both, your weight could go up, down, or stay the same. Your body composition is the measurement we would primarily monitor. Your trainer should offer conservative expectations and not try to wow you with earth-shattering figures.
2. What kind of workouts will you have me do? Your trainer should subscribe to the keep it simple Learn the basics, master them, and gradually add the more complex and exciting exercises when you are prepared to do so. Beginning with movements without the proper prep work will lead to diminished returns at best and injury at worst, and both scenarios will impede your potential (results). Basic compound movements (ex. Squats & lunges, bench & overhead press, dead-lift, various pulling exercises, etc.) are movements that require multiple joints and muscle groups in order to perform them and typically they task the core muscles (muscles surrounding the spine) with keeping you from falling over. These exercises offer so many benefits that it would take much more time to cover all of them.
3. What workouts will I do on my own? Our Epic Trainers are available to offer 1, 2, or 3 supervised sessions per week but the job does not stop there. Your Epic trainer will assign additional workouts that you can do on your own. This may include recovery workouts, repeat workouts, mobility and flexibility exercises, cardio/conditioning training, or even training with an instructor lead Group Fit class such as yoga or cycle. Additional training may include swimming laps in the Epic Swim lap lane pool.
4. What type of diet do you recommend? A trainer can help you make healthy choices that are best suited for your goal. Some good advice would be to first visit with your doctor or a licensed dietician before making significant changes to your diet. Additionally, a trainer might recommend eating weight loss friendly foods that are low in calories but can be enjoyed in higher quantities to promote satiety. Such foods may include lean meats, fruits & veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Your trainer will devise a plan to keep track of your intake so you remain consistent and are held accountable to the game plan.
5. Should I take supplements? Once again, you will want to visit with your physician or a licensed dietician before adding supplements to your diet. There are lots of products out there that promise all kinds of amazing benefits with flashy packaging that are full of useless or low quality ingredients. Your trainer should be able to help you find high-quality, effective, and fairly priced products.

The Bottom Line. Our goal is to help you realize your goal. We have amazing trainers who are educated, experienced, and excited about the opportunity to work with you and to be a guide during your fitness journey. We have an amazing facility to work with which includes all the latest and greatest equipment, indoor tracks and outdoor workout spaces with inspiring views. To start your journey, please contact us at (972)339-3729 or by email at rserna@gptx.org to schedule your FREE Assessment Session.

Here at The Epic, we know that when you work hard, it pays off.

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