They have muscles for days and always seem to have a new exercise you wish you never knew existed. Personal trainers can be your coach, your friend, and some days, they might seem like your worst nightmare.
But personal trainers have more going on in their heads than plotting a wickedly tough workout for you. Here are five personal trainer tips they wish you knew:
Pre-workout Snacks
It’s easy to think that it might be counteractive to eat before a workout. But working out on an empty stomach is like trying to get a car to work without putting any gas in it. Two to four hours before your workout, eat something like a hardboiled egg, cup of Greek yogurt, ¼ C of almonds or a green apple.
Digestive Health Is Everything
Probably one of the strangest questions a trainer will ask you is about your bowel movements. Digestion can tell you about your diet, stress and activity levels. Men need 30-39g of fiber per day and women need 25g. Drinking enough water, drinking bone broth and reducing stress can also help promote healthy digestion. When your digestive system works more efficiently, your workouts and weight loss efforts will too.
Sleep Is a Practice
If you’re not getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you won’t have enough energy to last the day and through your workouts. Sleep also is the time your muscles repair from previous workouts. Sleepless nights can also increase hunger levels and leave you eating more than normal. Practice quality sleep and everything will sync.
Your Workout Is the Focus
Since many trainers see the same clients multiple times each week, sometimes over several years, it’s easy to get to know each other. Talking during training isn’t an issue as long as it doesn’t interfere with the workout itself. Trainers want you to work your hardest every time. Long conversations can wait.
Don’t Be Late
While you can’t always help it, probably the most important personal trainer tip is to be on time. You’ve hired a trainer so you can stay accountable. Do everything you can to be there. If not, you could risk of losing a session to a 24-hour cancellation policy.
Personal trainers want you to do more than just show up. They want you to make changes to your lifestyle so that your workouts and your overall well-being improve. Do you follow these personal training tips?
