She changed how I think about fitness and myself.
Then earlier this year, I was bored of the gym, but didnt know what to do.
Something clearing wasnt workingI felt unmotivatedand wasn’t progressing the way I wanted.
Photo:Jamie Grill/Getty Images
So I decided to hire a fitness coach who could help me out of my rut.
I foundMaddie Danza, a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS).
More importantly, I feel more confident at the gym and have developed a healthier relationship with fitness.
Lesson 1: My old workouts weren’t supporting my goals.
I get a major case of “gymxiety” when I walk into a typical fitness club.
Theres a lot to think about: What exercises should I do?
Am I doing them correctly?
How much weight can I lift?
Which machines should I try (and how do they even work)?
I never questioned if it was the right workout for me.
(I literally flopped down the first few times I lowered my body to the ground.)
My new program includesdoing actual push upsand exercises that target smaller muscles I wasnt working before.
Lesson 2: Agonizing workouts dont equal better gains.
I kind of hate using a barbell.
But for some reason, I believed they made resistance training more effective than dumbbells or cable machines.
Thats why I practiced Olympic lifting and Powerlifting for several years.
After a lot of experimentation, weve landed on a program that I dont hate.
Thats not to say I love every minute because exercise is uncomfortable at times.
(Unsurprisingly,numerous studiesshow enjoyment greatly affects whether someone sticks to an exercise routine.)
Lesson 3: Warmups aren’t pointless.
Before working with Maddie, I jumped right into my workouts.
I figured my body was warm enough from walking to the gym.
But she patiently explained that warmups alert the specific muscles youre targeting that theyre about to get to work!
Lesson 4: I don’t have to be good at everything.
I remember the exact moment Maddie blew my mind and changed all that.
I was complaining to her about barely surviving a HIIT class that included an obscene amount of burpees.
Well, how often are you doing burpees?
(The answer: Um, never.)
(Wise words that apply to every aspect of life!)
And I needed energy for my weight-training sessions to maximize muscle growth, she explained.
Lesson 5: Fitness is a long game.
Working with a trainer who stresses the importance of making realistic goals helps put things in perspective.
Its so important to keep in mind that fitness is a long game, she always says.
How Much Does Personal Training Cost?
Of course, price is a big factor in deciding to work with a personal trainer.
There are numerous types of personal training certifications, and they all may have different criteria.
A few popular ones include, NASM-CPT and the American Council on Exercise (ACE)-CPT.
