A Q&A with personal trainers.
By Ariel Hammond
Illustrations by Jon Krause
Are you spending hours at the club fitness center, but not getting the results you want? Do you want to shape up, but aren’t sure what type of training program you need? Whether you want to lose a few pounds, train for a sport, or just need some motivation to step up your workout routine, a personal trainer can help you reach your fitness goals. Private Clubs talked to five ClubCorp athletic directors, who also are personal trainers, about the member experience, expectations, and the benefits of working with a personal trainer at the club. Here’s what they had to say.
How would you define personal training?
Frank Gerechter: Personal training involves matching the member’s goals and expectations with a trainer who provides the tools to devise a realistic fitness program. It’s about taking the lead and giving the member a timely method to accomplish his or her health goals. Personal training makes members feel good about who they are. It’s about working the mind, body, and soul. And it’s about positive growth.
What are the reasons people hire trainers?
Kellie Taylor: Lack of motivation, injuries, obesity, camaraderie and companionship, sports-specific goals, heart conditions, back problems, and others.
Who can benefit from using a personal trainer?
Gerechter: Anyone who is concerned about his or her health will benefit. In particular, we see members who want to see results or who may be training for an activity-specific program, such as skiing, as well as people who have been out of the exercise loop for some time and need ideas, a kick start, and want to be safe in their approach. We also work with teens who need direction and the challenge to try something new.
What services can a personal trainer offer?
Rhonda Haueter: Our personal trainers offer a wide range of tailored wellness services to meet the needs of our diverse membership — our youth population, our mature members, the conditioned athlete, and those with a sedentary lifestyle or disability. Our programs are designed to focus on the specific needs and goals of our clients.
Our individual and group training services include strength and cardiovascular training, weight-loss programs, speed and agility clinics, and sports-specific conditioning, such as tennis training, “golfability,” cardio boxing, and football clinics. We offer Pilates training, “Women on Weights,” and our “Heart Healthy” weight program, which incorporates nutritional counseling with a registered dietitian.
In each of these programs, our members are first given a thorough assessment in order to determine their specific goals and to review any limitations or health concerns. Our trainers also offer body-fat analysis, functional fitness assessments, and resting metabolic rate testing.
What should a member expect during the first meeting with a trainer?
Matt Bartz: The trainer will gather information, using various tools, such as health questionnaires, goal-setting methods, and fitness assessments. Most important, a member should expect a competent professional who will listen. I believe that a trainer’s job — first and foremost — is to help a member become comfortable in the environment in which the exercise is done, both physically and mentally. This is probably the most overlooked aspect of personal training. Too often, training is easily separated into its scientific components, and the “personal” aspect of the training is brushed aside. During the initial consultation with a trainer, a member should work with the trainer to develop a type of map for goal achievement.
What happens during a typical personal training session at the club?
Taylor: The client usually comes in 15 minutes to 30 minutes early to do a cardio warm-up before the actual training session begins. This helps prevent injury. The trainer then puts the member through a variety of different exercises incorporating all the major muscles in the body. They utilize resistance machines, functional equipment, free weights, floor work, etc. The last 15 minutes usually are spent stretching the member or cooling him or her down with slower floor movements. When the session is over, the next appointment is booked and the member is given a “Fond Farewell” until the next time.
What types of exercise programs do trainers use?
Judy Haynes: There are hundreds of programs to use depending on the member’s goals, fitness level, and preferences. Be honest with the trainer about your feelings about a particular exercise, but also try to be open to give something a chance. For example, you might have had a bad experience running because you were working at too high an intensity. With the trainer’s help, you might enjoy running at a lower intensity or in short intervals in a training session. I like weight training using water, as in water-sports conditioning. It looks so easy, but when done correctly, it can really give you a great low-impact, full-body workout.
How should you work out at the club on days you are not working with your trainer?
Bartz: When the member is comfortable, the trainer will give some “homework.” The trainer’s responsibility will include making sure the homework is both doable and appropriate, given the individual’s ability level. The goal is to make exercise a part of a person’s life. An important part of this is giving the member the tools to accomplish this in a safe, effective, and enjoyable manner.
How quickly can you expect to see results from personal training sessions?
Haynes: When working with a trainer two to three times a week and carefully following a plan, most members see changes within three weeks. Very noticeable changes occur by six weeks. Results will vary among people, of course. Men typically lose more fat more quickly than women because they have more muscle, and, therefore, a faster metabolism to burn more calories. Older participants tend to lose more slowly than younger members, since people tend to lose muscle as they age, particularly if they have been inactive. If you are working at the wrong intensity, you will not see the results that you want.
How do you work with a trainer to develop a program that meets your specific fitness goals?
Haueter: Define your goals. Decide if it’s for weight loss, serious sports training, etc. Training must be designed to meet your specific fitness goals. The fitness assessment process is an important step in determining what is best for the individual. This serves as the foundation for goal setting and establishes the training relationship. It is important to find a trainer with whom you can have open and honest communication and with whom you feel comfortable. Make sure to be clear to express your areas of concern, your desired results, and any pre-existing conditions that may affect your training. Your trainer will not only be your personal coach, but also will educate and motivate you. By providing the trainer with an open and accurate physical history, you will help the trainer help you achieve peak results.
FITNESS TEAM
Frank Gerechter, Porter Valley Country Club, Northridge, California
Kellie Taylor, Countryside Country Club, Clearwater, Florida
Rhonda Haueter, Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, Tampa, Florida
Matt Bartz, Le Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Judy Haynes, Aspen Glen Club, Carbondale, Colorado