Having a little fun today, so here’s what we personal trainers would rather you leave in the car:
- “Eeeww, I don’t want to build muscle, just tone. I’m worried I’ll bulk up.” If losing fat and defining muscle isn’t what you want, you are in the wrong place. Women typically do not bulk up unless they are physically training for hours a day — and eating – to compete in weight lifting events.
- “I want to lose weight, but I hate to sweat.” This isn’t fairytopia, and most people sweat with hard work and calorie burn. You make sweat to cool you off when your body temperature climbs, and you heat up when you work out intensely. Here at O3, our goal is to work out intensely. (How much you sweat, however, is not directly related to how many calories you burn, and some people sweat more than others.)
- “Everybody at my house has the flu but I came anyway because I feel fine.” Or “Yesterday I had a fever but today I feel better.” Really? Your workout buddies don’t want to take that home to their families.
- “I have a month before my wedding, class reunion, or beach trip and I have to fit into my gown, bikini, jeans, etc. How long will it take if I eat like a bird and workout everyday?” How long will it take to what? Pass out? We’ll get you results in the first couple of weeks, but quick weight loss of more than 5 pounds is likely to be water weight. You need a good 2 to 3 months to lose weight that will stay off and increase your metabolism for long-term benefits.
- “I don’t have much time. Well, I suppose I can come in for a half hour twice a week, but next week my mother’s coming to town, and then we are going to the beach, and then….” The only way you will get into the gym on a regular basis is to MAKE time, not wait for it to show up.
- “I ate chips and cookies all weekend. Can we get them off of me?” A little backsliding now and then is just fine and won’t sabotage your noble efforts. But come on, a little willpower is still a good thing. We can’t fix things unless you do, too.
- “My accountant/boyfriend/old coach says to always do 12 reps.” Trust your trainer to know his business. If we suggest 8 reps, go with it.
- “I feel great” if your back feels less than amazing on a given day. It might be an important detail to share so we don’t spend the session straining it and immobilizing you for the rest of the week. We want to know what’s going on with your body.
- “I don’t have the right shoes.” While the complaint is legit, you have to help your trainer keep you from being injured. We are concerned about your form as we put you through exercises; we care about what you fuel your body with and how much you sleep. You have to make sure you have the shoes to support your frame as you do the metabolic conditioning phases. More expensive shoes have more guts, or technical components in them. The cheaper the shoe, the less technical the shoe and the more likely it is to allow issues such as foot, ankle, shin, hip, upper leg, lateral leg, knee, or back pain to come up. Help us make sure you don’t get injured. Buy the shoes.
- “The big gyms are a lot cheaper.” So are ramen noodles…and just as good for you.
Just saying…
