When most clients come in to train with me, the first or second thing they tell me is, “I don’t want to look like a bodybuilder.” Oddly, when I look at how most people are training at the gym, they are training like bodybuilders and following a bodybuilding workout routine!
As I mentioned in a previous blog on workout frequency, when you are doing a bodybuilding workout routine, you are basically training individual muscle groups one by one, cutting up the body into pieces—what I refer to as the “Frankenstein workout.”
Why are people doing the Frankenstein workout? Some folks find these types of workouts in magazines or online, while others do them because their trainer is training them that way. It is crucial to do the type of workout routine that will help you reach the fitness goals you want to achieve. You wouldn’t go to law school if you wanted to become a medical doctor . . . similarly, you shouldn’t train like a bodybuilder if you are trying to run a marathon, lose fat, or just get in better shape to face the challenges of everyday life.
A good personal trainer can help guide you toward the best fitness program for you—one that meets your individual goals, whatever they may be. There are a number of things to keep in mind when selecting a personal trainer:
– Be sure to find out your trainer’s areas of specialization or expertise. If you aren’t trying to be a bodybuilder, your trainer shouldn’t be giving you bodybuilding workouts.
– Make sure you find a trainer with a personality that will support your workout goals. If you know that the key to staying consistent with your workouts requires a great deal of external motivation and encouragement, for example, find a trainer who has a “coach” personality type.
– Use your first workout with the trainer as an opportunity to do a test run. Pay attention to how the experience fits into your own personal set of reasons for getting fit and that it is personalized to meet your goals. If you find that things are not working out, do not settle for a cookie-cutter training experience that does not suit you or address your individual concerns.
If you decide to use inerTRAIN’s diverse community of personal trainers, for instance, look through their profiles. Find out what their specializations and certifications are. Make sure you know their areas of expertise so that you can find the person that will help you address your individual needs. Look at their personality type, experience, and training style. Picking the right trainer for your personal fitness goals is essential for success!