If you plan to be a short-timer, inform your trainer of your intentions so that
he can cover more in a shorter period of time. And think specifically about
your goals for these few sessions. Do you want to learn a routine you can
take on business trips? Do you want training advice for a summer cycling
vacation? Do you want a program to help you lose fat? Act like you’re taking a
crash course in Italian two weeks before you move to Rome: Be prepared to
soak up a lot of information. Arm yourself with questions and take notes. By
the end of your session(s), make sure you know how to adjust each machine,
grip each handle the right way, and perform each exercise using the correct
technique. And consider scheduling follow-up sessions once a month or so to
check your progress, stay up-to-date, and continue to improve your skills.
Also find out whether your trainer is willing to answer quick questions via
e-mail as part of the overall cost.A Massage
Okay, you’ve been exercising for a solid month. You deserve a reward, and
besides, your legs feel a little sore. What better way to treat yourself than
with a rubdown?Massage loosens up kinks in your muscles, relieves stress, and helps you
relax. Research suggests it may even speed your body’s recovery from a
workout or injury by increasing blood flow and, therefore, delivering more
oxygen and nutrients to your muscle cells and restoring muscle and joint
mobility. Massage may also make you more mentally alert. In one study,
subjects who had been massaged were able to do math problems in half
the time, and with half as many errors, as subjects who weren’t touched.Although we’re not all that motivated to improve our algebra skills, we like
massage for a more important reason: It feels soooogood. Depending on
where you live, an hour-long massage can run you between $35 and $100.
Sessions in your home usually cost a little more, to compensate for the
driving time and the fact that the therapist has to lug a big, heavy table to
your door.In most states, massage therapists are required to pass a certification exam.
Chances are, any therapist who works at a club or spa is fully licensed and
certified, but it never hurts to ask. For a home massage, get a recommenda-
tion from a doctor, trainer, or friend you trust. You may think “bad massage”
is an oxymoron, but you can get rubbed the wrong way. A rock-climber friend
of Liz’s had his arms massaged by someone who practically mauled him. The
guy was so bruised and in pain that he couldn’t climb for two weeks.372 Part VIII: The Part of Tens