Ok, so you have been with a great trainer for some time and have seen some sort of results. Now it is time that you are wondering if you should get rid of your trainer all together or change trainers. There are some very basic ground rules that you need to ask yourself.
1. Am I disciplined enough?
Let me define discipline-forced obedience. That means you will force yourself to go even when you don't necessarily feel like it. If you going to the gym when you feel like it, is still negotiable then you may still need a trainer to hold you accountable for showing up.
2. Do I have a basic understanding of what I should be eating?
What we should be eating is really pretty basic, it really doesn't change. For example, fiber is always going to be good for us and refined sugar is always going to be bad for us. There may always be some debate on how much, how good or bad, or what foods are best, but common sense is common sense. If you don't have a clue, consider either visiting with a nutritionist or keep your trainer to guide you.
3. Do I know how to use the equipment, weights, etc correctly?
Although new equipment may come out on a regular basis, it is all pretty self explanatory. No matter which gym you go to in the country, it is going to have roughly the same stuff with very little variation. You have to determine whether or not you still need that physical demonstration of how to do something. If once your trainer shows you how to do something, if you can say "I already knew how to do that" then you may not need a trainer anymore. However, if you look at something and have absolutely no clue then keep your trainer.
4. Do I know the proper form for the various exercises?
This goes with #3, good form is good form. You have to ask, do you already know if you are doing something correctly? If you still have to ask, then keep your trainer. If you can already tell if you are doing wrong and make the correction(s), then you may not.
5. Do you know various exercises and routines?
Nothing is worse that doing the exact same routine over and over again. When it is time to change your routine, do you have to rely on your trainer to show you or do you know enough exercises to change it yourself. If you have no idea on how to make up a routine, definitely keep your trainer.
6. Are you noticing improvements?
This is obvious, if you are noticing improvements determine whether or not you can get them without your trainer and can accomplish the same thing yourself or if you still need them for that extra push. If you are not noticing any type of improvement, it may be time to either go on your own or get a new trainer that can better meet your needs.
7. Is your trainer helping me make unrealistic or realistic goals?
The job of a trainer is to help you determine the goals that you have for yourself. They should give you direction on how to reach your goal(s), but they should not be making them for you. Ask yourself, "Does my trainer keep me focused on realistic goals and let me know when my goals are too unrealistic?" If they don't give you any feedback or give direction on how to reach your goals, it may be time for a new trainer. However, if they keep you properly focused on the right goals you may want to keep them.
These are just a few questions to ask yourself when you are deciding whether or not you want to keep your trainer or not. Consider each question carefully. You are the only one that can make the decision, do not let your trainer make it for you. Remember although they may geniuinely care about you, they are still getting a check.
No comments:
Post a Comment