Building strong rapport with your trainer is key to achieving fitness goals. Your in-home or virtual personal trainer brings expertise, but it’s effective communication that ensures your needs are understood and met. Here are a few tips from the Nielsen Fitness team to make the most of your training sessions.

Set yourself up for success with personal training

TAILORED WORKOUTS

Our in-home personal trainers in Toronto, Collingwood, London, Hamilton, and Ottawa (and virtual personal trainers everywhere) are experts in designing workouts that match your fitness level, goals, and limitations, but only with the necessary information. Whether you’re training for a specific event, aiming to lose weight, or learning a new skill, clear communication helps us adjust programming to suit your needs.

INJURY PREVENTION

“Physical activity has many benefits, including a stronger heart, better mood, and improved quality of life. However, when starting a new exercise routine, it’s important to do it the right way to help prevent injury” (Very Well Health, 2024). In-home and virtual personal trainers rely on physical history to avoid exercises that might aggravate old injuries and to incorporate modifications when necessary. Without this knowledge, there is risk of re-injury or prolonged recovery. Openly discussing past injuries with our team ensures that your workouts support healing and strengthen vulnerable areas, keeping you safe and on track to reach your goals.

MOTIVATION

An in-home or virtual personal trainer is a fantastic source of support. “If you’re a seasoned gym-goer, an experienced trainer can breathe some life into your current fitness routine, which will both challenge and motivate you to push past your current fitness levels” (Healthline, 2023).

Expressing what kind of support helps you stay on track (whether it’s gentle encouragement, a highly structured plan, or constant feedback) allows us to adjust our coaching approach, ensuring you stay motivated and accountable.

PROGRESS

One of the most important elements of communicating with your trainer is feedback on how you’re feeling and whether you’re noticing improvements. This allows your in-home or virtual personal trainer to change strategy when necessary. You might not always see the changes you want, and communicating what you’re experiencing helps us tweak programming to enhance progress.

On top of this, a 2021 study from the National Library of Medicine found that “an athlete, client or patient-centred approach which means following the athlete’s, clients or patient’s wishes even if there are more effective interventions” is the best way to see workout results. In other words, even if your trainer is using the most effective, science-based method to design your program, you may not reach your goals if you’re not enjoying the process. This is because you’re much less likely to stick to a plan if you don’t like it.

OUR TIPS

  1. Make sure your trainer knows your long-term and short-term goals from the start.
  2. If you have any conditions, old injuries, or areas that cause discomfort, share this with your trainer.
  3. Let your trainer know how you feel after a workout. If something felt too easy, too challenging, or if you didn’t enjoy a particular exercise, speak up!
  4. Set clear boundaries around time, availability, and communication outside of sessions. Be clear about how much contact is reasonable and what types of messages (such as progress check-ins or motivational texts) you’re comfortable with.
  5. Don’t hesitate to ask your trainer questions if you’re unsure about an exercise, technique, or the reasoning behind a specific workout. A good trainer will be happy to explain why a certain approach works and help you understand the science behind it.
  6. Talk openly about what you expect from the trainer-client relationship. If you prefer a more structured approach or need more flexibility in your sessions, this should be discussed to avoid misunderstandings.

FINAL WORDS

Effective communication with your in-home or virtual personal trainer is key to getting the most out of your sessions. If you’re open, honest, and clear about your goals, limitations, and preferences, Nielsen Fitness can set you up for success. We’re here to help, and good communication ensures we can guide you in the right direction. To start setting fitness goals today, contact our team here.