Take notes and draw pictures. During the session, your trainer should
fill out a card listing each exercise in your program, how much weight to
lift, and how many sets and reps to do. But if you supplement this infor-
mation with your own notes, you may find it easier to remember what
to do when you work out alone. For example, if your trainer writes “lat
pull-down,” you can add, “pull bar down to chest; strengthens back
muscles; adjust seat to second notch.” You may even want to sketch
some of the machines so that when you work out by yourself, you won’t
spend ten minutes searching for the right contraption. Some facilities
number the machines to make them easier to remember and identify, too.
Your trainer simply notes the machine number and the seat height.
Ask lots of questions. Don’t be too intimidated to ask the trainer why he
picked a particular chest exercise or for a reminder of where your delts
are. No question is too stupid (unless you’re asking what time the 3 p.m.
boxing class starts).Don’t expect to absorb everything your trainer tells you on the first
day. Every time you work out, you’ll pick up more information, such as
how to adjust each machine and how to stretch each muscle group. You
can make things easier on yourself by scheduling a second training
appointment to reinforce what you learned on the first go-around. Some
gyms charge for a second appointment; some don’t. If you bring up the
issue when you join the gym, some clubs may throw in a few extra train-
ing sessions.
Don’t try to impress the trainer by lifting too much.The trainer doesn’t
expect you to be Arnold Schwarzenegger. One friend of ours lost any
such illusions during his first session with a trainer. “I sat down on this
machine and pulled the handles back, and the trainer said, ‘Do you feel
that?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s really pulling on my muscles.’ Then the trainer
said, ‘Oops, I forgot to put the weight on.’” When stuff like that happens,
just laugh and realize that it doesn’t take much time to get stronger.Being the Best Client You Can Be ................................................................
You have the right to demand a lot from your trainer, but your trainer can
also expect a certain level of courtesy, attention, and effort from you. Keep in
mind the following rules of client etiquette. Some of these tips apply just to
home trainers; others apply to trainers at a gym.Don’t show up at the door in your pajamas.Your trainer shouldn’t
have to serve as your alarm clock or wait a half-hour for you to get your
act together. Like you, the trainer has a schedule, and time is money. If
you’re late getting started, the trainer has every right to cut your ses-
sion short or charge you extra.Chapter 4: Hiring a Trainer 55