At Maiden Resistance, we offer classes, but the size of each class is so small that it almost feels like personal training. This type of environment works for many of my clients because they wanted a personal trainer, but maybe didn’t know where to find one, or they may not have had the means to pay for one. When they first came to me, their journeys through fitness were very different but also had a similar tone. They wanted to be strong but they didn’t know how to weight train. Like any other discipline, when you don’t know how to do something, you hire a professional. I know it takes a lot of courage to admit that you need help, let alone reach out to a fitness professional. You can be uncertain that you even need a fitness professional or that you can even afford one. Here is a list of reasons you may need a personal trainer.
You want to start working out but you don’t know where to begin.
You are not sure what type of exercise to do in order to reach your goal.
You’re burnt out on cherry picking YouTube workouts, hoping they will make a difference.
You understand how to workout and the basics, but you’re looking for a challenge.
You have no sense of accountability.
Your goal is to complete workouts at home or on your own in the gym.
If you identify with a statement above, you need a personal trainer. The beautiful thing about a personal trainer is that it is their job to educate you, so a personal trainer can be a short term solution to your problem. Once you have learned enough, or feel comfortable going out on your own, you no longer have a need to meet with a trainer. This is how my journey got started. I had no idea what to do in the gym, but I knew I needed to make a change. My job offered 12 hours of free personal training, so I took full advantage of it. I met with a trainer for one half hour per week in order to learn how to workout. For six months we met once a week and after our time together, I was ready to be on my own.
Because the market is saturated with a lot of fitness professionals, who are not all good, it can be hard to find someone you trust. Here are a few things to look for in a trainer:
1. Are they certified?
In some states, personal trainers are not required to have any type of certification in order to train people. My recommendation is that you find a trainer with credentials. There are many certifications out there and some are harder to obtain than others. For instance, NASM makes students take their final exam in a closed book proctored setting, where ISSA allows their students to use their book during their final exam. One certification holds more weight than the other in my opinion. As you advance, the type of certification your trainer has can be something to consider in the long run. For now, just make sure they are certified.
2. Do they seem like someone you can trust?
Because you are partnering with someone else on your health journey, the person you decide to train with should seem like someone you can trust. There are a lot of trainers out there who are just looking to make a sale. They sign you up and don’t really care about your goals. They see dollar signs when a new client walks in the door, not a person that they can help. Be sure you get good vibes from the person you decide to train with. Your trainer should care about your goals and seem excited for you to reach them.
3. Do you feel comfortable with them?
This is probably the most important point I will make. Beginning a fitness journey is hard and it is vulnerable. Hire someone you feel comfortable with. As a woman, it can be hard to find a trainer you feel comfortable with, especially if you do not feel comfortable being trained by a man. The fitness industry is male dominated, so it can be hard to find a woman who trains, but I promise they are out there. When meeting with the trainer for the first time, ask what their coaching style is. Ask how they motivate clients and what forms of accountability they provide. Be sure these answers align with what you are looking for in a trainer. This person works for you. You don’t workout for them. Just like you’d shop around for a trusted contractor to do a house repair, shop around until you find a trainer you like.
4. After training with them for a few sessions, ask yourself, is the value of the service worth my time and what I’m paying for it?
Review your sessions with your trainer and decide if what you are paying for the sessions is worth it. Do you feel the value matches the cost? Other things to consider are if your trainer is always prepared for the session or are they flying by the seat of their pants. Do they begin and end sessions on time? Do you feel like they really care about you?
I cannot express enough that the trainer you work with should make you feel excited to go into your sessions and not dread them. If you feel dread, you may want to find a different trainer. Always use your gut when choosing a fitness professional to partner with. There is someone out there that will help you succeed.
To you, my Maiden Friend,
- Coach CoJo
Maiden Resistance is focused on equipping women+ with weight training knowledge designed by the belief that the weight you lift holds more value than the weight on the scale. We specialize in fitness for women. We strive to create an environment that is comfortable and safe for all women+ to experience fitness. Our services include strength training, interval training, and nutrition coaching. Courtney Jonsson, the owner and founder, is a
NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach.
If you are interested in becoming a Maiden please email us at maiden.resistance@gmail.com or visit maidenresistance.com to schedule an intake session.