The Best Ways to Communicate Your Fitness Goals to Your Trainer

By Your Health Magazine

Walking into that first session with a personal trainer might feel a lot like a blind date. You want to make a really good first impression, say all the right things, and you hope your trainer “gets” you. But if you aren’t clear about your goals, both of you might end up feeling frustrated. Here’s how you can clearly communicate your goals without rambling or underselling yourself;

1. Be Specific

Don’t just tell your personal trainer you “want to get in shape.” That’s like saying “I want to eat healthy.” It’s vague, subjective, and almost impossible to measure. Instead, say something like “I want to be able to do 10 real push-ups in two months” or “I want to lose 5 pounds and be able to move around without getting out of breath.

This gives your trainer a target to work towards and a guidance they can use to build a plan. It’s also a measurable goal that you can check off the list once you cross that milestone.

2. Explain the Motivation

This one can be as powerful as you make it. Are you hoping to lose a few pounds before a big event? Have you been recovering after pregnancy? Do you want to focus on getting your stress levels down?

When your trainer asks the “why,” tell them honestly. It gives them context and often influences your entire plan a lot more than you might assume. If you are mainly complaining about aching joints, for example, your trainer may add in a few stretches that might help target that area.

Everyone has a certain learning style. Tough love doesn’t work with all clients, and unless you communicate that to your trainer, you might be in for a rough ride.

If you have tried home workouts, group fitness, or 5 a.m. gym runs before and hated them, speak up. Let them know all the bad experiences you’ve had with previous programs (perhaps they were too rigid, or too difficult too fast). They’re not here to judge. They’re here to build a better system for you.

4. Tell Them All About Your Schedule

You might be tempted to say “I can totally work out seven days a week!” when you’re feeling particularly good about yourself. But if your reality includes longer work hours, toddlers, or night classes, your trainer must know that so they can create a plan that fits your real life.

5. Checkpoints Can Change

Feel free to add as many checkpoints as you want, but don’t be too rigid about it. Perhaps you started out wanting fat loss but discovered you love strength training. Communicate that to your personal trainer as the realization hits you. The more you communicate, the better your experience.

Communication is a Muscle Too; Exercise It!

Being completely honest, open, and specific with your trainer helps both of you agree on a training plan that actually works for you. Don’t worry too much about sounding picky or complicated. Trainers are used to translating normal words into training strategy!

Personal training works when you ditch the vague goals and communicate the real “you.” It’s the best way to meet all your milestones.