Oklahoma City Personal Training Services - Best Personal Trainers In Oklahoma

When you are ready to lose weight, get healthy and/or build lean muscle, hiring a professional personal trainer can be the best way to reach your goals. A good trainer can help you set up a program that meets your goals and will teach you the best and safest way to exercise.  Below are a few things you should know before you decide which trainer you are going to hire. 

What is a Personal Trainer: 

A personal trainer should be professional, educated and have hands on experience helping real clients. Being a "gym rat" that enjoys exercising themselves does not make for a qualified personal trainer.  A personal trainers job is to assess your fitness level, learn what your physical limitations are and work around those. Your trainer should set up an efficient program for you. A personal trainers job is also to keep you focused, motivated and accountable in all aspects of your program including your diet, cardio regimen and training sessions. A good personal trainer will push you past your comfort level in a safe and dynamic progression to help you continue to see results --something difficult to do on your own for most people. A trainer also provides: 

•Professional guidance on reaching your health and fitness goals 
•Continual education; the importance of strength training, cardiovascular health and basic nutrition 
•Accountability and a reason to show up for each and every session
•Track your progress 

What is a personal training session like: 

Most personal training sessions are either 30 minutes or 60 minutes in length. Your session will include a variety of cardiovascular and resistance training depending on your fitness goals. Your trainer will help you decide which one will serve you best for your needs and goals. Your first meeting should be devoted to assessing fitness level, body measurements, exercise, health history and goals. Your personal trainer should also address and answer specific questions about your goals. After that first session, you'll spend most of your time on your actual training and cardio. 

What to look for in a Personal Trainer:

•CPR: Your trainer should have an up to date certification in CPR and/or first aid.
•Experience: Make sure your trainer has several years of experience, especially in relation to your goals. 
•Specifics: If you have a specific medical problem, injury or condition (such as being pregnant, heart problems, diabetes, etc.) make sure your trainer has education in these areas and will work with your doctor to ensure your safety.
•A good listener: A good trainer will listen closely to what you say and make sure he understands your goals.
•Attention: A good trainer will be focused only on you during your sessions. If your trainer is texting or talking on their cell phone during your session they are not focused on you.
•Tracking progress: A good trainer will regularly assess your progress and change your program as necessary.

Personality is important too since you'll be working very closely with this person. Make sure you get along with your trainer and feel comfortable asking questions.

How to Find a Personal Trainer:

Most gyms have personal trainers on staff or have independent personal trainers to choose from. A professional personal trainer, just like any other professional that is keeping up with the most current trends, will have a professional website to allow you to learn more about their services. The cost for training will vary depending on where you live and your trainer's experience and education. Typically, the cost will be anywhere from $35 to $70 per session.

At some gyms, you may get assigned a trainer. However, be very careful because not every person that says they are a trainer will have your best interest at heart. Below are a few important things to think about to get the most from your search for a personal trainer. 

•Get a referral from a friend who's had success in reaching their goals with a personal trainer. Ask your friend if their trainer devotes all his / her time to them during their session or do they walk off and talk to others? Do they answer their phones during your paid sessions? Does their trainer answer all their questions without making them feel silly for asking?
•If you are already a member of a gym, watch a few trainers with their clients and see how they interact during their session. Keep a note of which trainers seem fully involved in their workouts and spend more time pushing their clients than resting and talking. 
•Make sure when you choose a personal trainer that you know if you are comfortable with a male or female trainer. If you have specific goals (getting in shape before your wedding or getting ready for a marathon) make sure you ask your potential personal trainer if they have experience in this area and what that experience is.

Learn how to avoid getting the wrong personal trainer:

Like all professions, personal training has its share of under qualified people. It may be a personality conflict or you may wonder if you're getting the best advice. Either way, here are some warning signs that it's time to switch to a different trainer.

Beware if your trainer does any of the following: 

•Ignores or dismisses your questions. Every question deserves an answer. A personal trainer may not have all the answers and in that case they should be honest and say " I don't know but let me look into that question and get back to you" and make sure they do answer you clearly and concisely.
•Works you so hard you're in pain for days. Soreness is normal, but you should still be able to get out of bed. When starting a new workout program you will be more sore than normal but each and every workout should not leave you unable to move. This is a sign of a personal trainer that thinks if they hurt you they are doing their job.
•Neglects any part of a complete program or recommends a level of training that's too hard for you. Pushing you to your limits and beyond is your trainers job but they should not have you doing overly heavy exercises that you obviously can't handle just to boost your or their ego.
•Recommends questionable supplements or herbs. Always talk to your doctor before taking anything! Supplements are not the key, good diet is your best method of staying healthy.
•Diagnoses injuries or illnesses instead of referring you to a doctor. A personal trainer is not a doctor and should never diagnosis symptoms outside the spectrum of their knowledge i.e. telling you how to deal with a strained muscle is within the realm of a personal trainers knowledge.
•Interrupts your session to talk to friends or take phone calls (unless it's an emergency or can't be avoided). THIS IS 100% UNPROFESSIONAL!
•Doesn't return phone calls or emails. Your calls and emails should be answered in a timely fashion. Just like any other customer service type business your trainer should be available to you for your questions anytime.

A personal trainer should watch you during your whole training session, correct your form, and explain what you're doing, what muscles are being used and why you are doing that particular exercise. If you're having concerns, talk to them as they may not be aware there's an issue. It's your money and your health, so don't feel like you are out of line asking your trainer to pay attention to you since that is what you are paying for.

How to help your trainer help you get the most out of your training sessions: 

•Save the small talk for after your session.
•Always bring your own towel and a water bottle to save time running back and forth to the water fountain.
•If you have questions, write them down and bring them to your session or email at least a day ahead if possible so you'll spend less time talking and more time working out. 
•If you have a problem with your trainer or something you are doing, address it immediately so corrections or a resolution to the issue can be addressed.
•Don't interrupt your trainer when he or she is with another client. Wait until they have finished before approaching them, others should give you the same courtesy.
•Remember your trainer is there to guide and help you... The work still must be done by you

Personal Training Oklahoma City

Personal Trainer OKC