Fitness Together Brecksville

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

What questions are important for clients to be completely honest about so that you can help them reach their goals?

Trainer Tuesdays

Welcome back to the weekly edition on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check in at our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff. Aside from being fantastic exercise coaches, they are also extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness; so, it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.

What questions are important for clients to be completely honest about so that you can help them reach their goals?

Monika Cotter: Honesty is the best policy! Especially when it comes to talking with your trainer. Questions are asked not to be nosey or to embarrass anyone, but it is to help clients reach their goals. Some of the questions that your trainer may ask you about is the reasons you are setting specific goals, injuries, limitations, medications, water intake, eating habits and family history. The trainers here at FT care about our clients and want to do everything we can to help, but it is a two-way street of honesty.

Adam Teplitz: As a personal trainer, I make it a priority to emphasize the 'personal ' aspect. It's important for my clients to be completely honest when it comes to certain questions.
These questions include nutrition related ones. It's always been said that you can't out train a bad diet. A client could give 110 percent in their workouts, but then compromise their results with their diet. My clients and I must be on the same page when it comes to nutrition.
Other important questions include ones about how active they are outside of the studio as well as how committed and motivated they are. You get out of it what you put into it.
Open and honest answers to these questions will lead to a more effective and efficient routine.

Maria Kolodziej: I believe whole-heartedly in exercise! I've seen the positive effects of it time and time again on mind and body. However, exercise will only take you so far. Nutrition is a huge contributing factor to not only weight loss, but muscle tone and overall body performance. If you put garbage in your body it will run like garage during your workout as well as daily tasks. For these reasons I believe it is very important for clients to be honest with their trainer and themselves about what they are putting into their bodies. I know that I eat way better when I have someone to be accountable to. Sometimes it is hard to be completely honest about this; especially if you've had a bad week. Don't ever feel judged; instead just accounted for. Through this approach we can reach our goals together!

Steven Madden: As fitness professionals, one of the most effective tools we have to train clients is information. The more we know about the client, the more we can help them attain their goals. Unfortunately, some times, either by design or neglect, we don't get all the information. It's important for a clients health that we have to most honest answers to certain questions.

We often ask if there are any injuries or surgeries that might impede movement. You would be surprised how often we are told no, only to find out after one disastrous rep of over head presses that the new client just has shoulder surgery. I'm not accusing the client of doing it on purpose, but we never would have even attempted the movement had we known. Along with this is asking if an exercise feels alright when a client is in the middle of it. Again, sometimes I don't get told until after the last set that an exercise is causing pain or strain where it shouldn't. I promise you that I ask about this because I want to know right away.

Then there is healthy diet. I don't like to bring it up often, but when I'm asked by a client why they are not losing weight, I invariably end up asking if they are eating healthy. When I see you coming in three times a week leaving a pool of sweat behind, I am left to wonder if the problem is diet. Too often, I get the sense that I'm only get half truths on this issue. I want to help in anyway I can, but if I don't have all the data, I only guessing.

Lisa Clark: As a personal trainer, there are many things we need to know about our clients in order to help them meet their fitness goals. One of the most important things to know about our clients are any limitations they may have including any previous injuries, so we can devise a program tailored to helping them and not run the risk of injuring them. Also along those same lines, anything that may be hurting them at the moment, no matter how insignificant it may feel, may keep us as trainers from having our clients perform an exercise that could unintentionally cause them pain.

Justin Traft: So the question always is asked what do client need to be honest about to share to help

www.fitnesstogether.com/brecksville/nutrition

Justin Traft wants to know if you're doing extra cardio??

them reach their goals. Well there are a couple thoughts that will help. Always be honest about your goals. If you’re asked are you doing anything outside of the gym on your own and you say yes but you really aren't then you’re really not being honest with your trainer or yourself. Clients need to be up front on their nutrition currently and how they plan to change their old habits. Also, are they currently doing any cardio outside of the gym. If so, how many times per week; or if no, then how are they going to change that? Also, how many days per week is a client going to commit to strength training? It’s also very important to be up front if you have any limitations that may stop you or road block you during your workouts. Reason being you ask is because it helps the trainer gauge what he or she needs to make sure is happening when you see them if you aren't doing those things outside of the gym. Also, help you steer you in the right direction and keep you on track and accountable for your goal you are working towards whatever it may be.

Kelly Bailey: If a client wants to see results, it's important that they not only be honest with themselves, but also with their trainer. Furthermore, not being totally honest can lead to injury!

The first and foremost thing I want a client to be honest about is their health history, and any current or past injuries that we need to be careful about during exercise. The only way I can help to keep you safe during exercise is if you tell me about known health problems. As a trainer, my code of ethics dictates that I keep your health information confidential, and that I create a supportive and friendly environment so that you feel safe telling me about past and/or current health concerns.

It's unanimous...you have to be honest about nutrition!!

The second thing I want clients to be honest about is what they are eating. What happens at home in the kitchen dictates how successful you'll be at achieving your goals. Ninety percent of the time, if a client is not reaching a goal, it has to do with nutrition. I often find that clients are not being dishonest about what they eat, but just don't understand portion sizes, or how all those little bites of this or that add up. This is why it's important to keep track of your food intake (for at least a little while) and share that information with your trainer. It's often an eye opening experience!

Jessica Regula: Its very important that when working with a trainer, you are completely honest in answering questions and asking questions. This helps to build your relationship with your trainer and helps us to plan ways to best fit your goals and needs! Here are some questions that you need to be 100% honest about:
1. "How active are you currently?"- Some people get embarrassed by answering that they're sedentary, however as a
trainer we need to know how conditioned you are to exercising (or deconditioned) so we can create plans that best fit your abilities. And we don't judge if you're sedentary- that's why you're seeing us!
2. "How does this weight feel?"- Finding the appropriate weight is vital in working out. If you're getting towards the end of your set and feel like you can keep going, then you need to let us know! On the flip side, if you're struggling by the 5th rep and have quite a ways to go, we need to know! Forcing yourself to lift too heavy can lead to injury. Trust me, we don't care about how much you're lifting, we care about proper technique and muscle fatigue, whether you're curling 5s or 55s.
3. "How are you doing/feeling?"- Throughout the workout, I like to check in frequently with my clients, to see how they're responding to the workout. If you are ever feeling dizzy, light headed, nauseous, or uncomfortable, we need to know, don't tell us that you're doing good when you feel yucky. If you need a longer break, just tell us.
Of course there are many other questions that help us to ensure that you're reaching your goals. The main thing to remember is that honesty is key when talking with your trainer so we can help you achieve success!

Taylor Burns: Important questions to discuss when reaching a health or fitness goal should be about nutrition. Speaking from past experiences, you can go to the gym just about every day and spend a lot of time working out. But what's going to help you reach your goal whether it's gaining muscle or losing weight comes down to how you fuel your body consistently!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

How can I help someone I care about get started in a fitness routine without offending them?

Trainer Tuesdays

How can you help someone you care about get started in a fitness routine without offending them?

Lisa Clark: I think we all know people who would benefit from being on an exercise program, but how can you say something without offending them, sounding like you are putting them down, or hurting their feelings? This is a difficult position to be in however I have approached this issue from a couple of different ways. I think it's important to come from experience. Share your story with them and how you feel better when you exercise, have more energy, feel more positive about things in life, gone down on medication, etc. Or ask them to start doing things with you! Invite them to the gym with you, or to go for a run. Make it seem like it's a fun activity for you to do together and once they start exercising with them hopefully they will feel better and want to continue it on their own. Just the most important thing I keep in mind is not to make it about weight or about how they look. I try to impress the positive benefits that exercise can have on your health!!

Kelly Bailey: Helping those you love get more fit and healthy can be a touchy subject. You likely have the best intentions, but sometimes your advice may be taken as an insult or you may be seen as overly critical. I live this story every day: my husband is my polar opposite. He smokes, doesn't exercise, drinks coke and other sugary drinks, and refuses to eat anything resembling a whole grain. (Don't even get me started on the argument over whether iceberg lettuce drowned in French dressing counts as a healthy vegetable.)

My only concern is for his health. Truly. I'm not interested in having a husband with six-pack abs, huge pecs, or biceps with their own GPS coordinates. I just want him to remain functionally fit as we age so that we can participate in those things we love to do (camping, kayaking, hiking, etc). That being said, in my personal experience, it has been best to leave this subject alone unless a loved one is specifically asking for your help or advice. This doesn't mean my husband and I don't have discussions about health, but I don't make it about him. Our conversations about health and fitness usually arise because I will tell him about something I read or saw on TV. Amazingly, over time, I have noticed that he is making little shifts in his thinking. He'll ask me questions about foods, and I've even seen him looking at nutrition labels! He has started taking evening walks with the dog, and is considering buying a treadmill desk for his office.

Bottom line (for me) is that when it comes to loved ones, the most important thing is to love them no matter their fitness level or weight. You cannot make someone change, and the best thing to do is live YOUR life as healthfully as possible. Your loved ones will see the positive changes in you and will become much more inquisitive and receptive to information about health and fitness.

Try having a workout partner to exercise with you!

Taylor Burns: I believe that one of the best ways to encourage a fitness routine for someone you care about is to try to do exercises together to help promote the positives of fitness both mentally and physically. Starting out with something small such as going on a 20-30 minute walk two days a week or even encouraging the person to come with you to the gym one day a week. We all start somewhere, whether we are all in or take baby steps towards exercise. Having a partner can help influence us to exercise as it holds us accountable and can make fitness more appealing!

Justin Traft: So the question is how can you get someone you care for to start a fitness routine without offending them? Well, I actually went through this a couple years ago with my own mother who I love to death. See, she had been gaining weight and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Hit hard for both of us. After we found out, I went to my mom and asked “what do you think about getting on a fitness routine? Nothing crazy, but something I can guide you through.” At first she wasn't really interested. Then, I continued “look I am not saying all this because I think you’re overweight. I am saying all this because I love you and care about you. I want you to be around for a long time to see my kids someday. And to be healthy enough to live a long happy life.” See sometimes it’s all in the approach letting them know you care enough about them to take time to make sure that their health is important to you as well. That alone speaks volumes. Then, when they finally agree do it on their terms, ease into don't rush it. First starting off you are going to need to be a cheerleader to start because they're going to want to change their mind and make up excuses. But feed them with positive encouragement and be their support system when they need it. Remember we were all there at one time or another. Even offer to workout with them to help them stay motivated. Like a training buddy system. ACTION WILL ALWAYS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS.

Adam Teplitz: Motivation is a powerful weight loss tool that can help individuals reach their goals more quickly. The key to helping a loved one lose weight is by motivating them. Support and encouragement can help a loved one reach their weight loss goals. Sit down with your loved one and help them outline their goals. Let them know you are willing to help them take action to become a healthier person and adapt a healthier lifestyle. Take it a step further and exercise with your loved one. They are more likely to be motivated to exercise if they have an exercise partner.
It can also be beneficial to cook with your loved one. Plan meals ahead of time with them. Set aside time to cook at least a few meals together each week. Lastly, encourage your loved one to keep a journal about their weight loss journey. A journal can help your loved one to stay motivated. They can record their exercise routine, what they eat , and how they feel once their done eating. Encouraging them to keep a journal can be a powerful motivational tool. Always make it known to your loved one that their health should be a priority and that it's the key reason behind you encouraging them to start a fitness routine.

Monika Cotter: There are so many people in this world that I love and care about and as a trainer I want to see all of them healthy, happy and for them to feel confident in their selves. I want them to love working out as much as I do but I know that is not always the case. I understand that it can be

A workout buddy can always bring extra motivation!

hard to start a fitness program and stay with it. I want to give the people I care about a push in the right direction but I don't ever want to hurt their feelings. Some of the ways I can help them get started on their way to a healthier lifestyle is by simply asking them if they want to join me either at the gym or just by doing something active. There are many activities we can do outside together. Walking, biking, jogging, jumping on a trampoline, the possibilities are endless. If my loved ones prefer to try doing it on their own I will help them set small, attainable goals and help keep them accountable. It can be frustrating trying to help someone, but it is all about them not about me and I cannot force anyone to start their own fitness journey, but I will always be there for them and will always lend a helping hand or a listening ear.

Jessica Regula: Once you begin working out and noticing all of the wonderful benefits being active has on your body and mind, you'll want everyone to join in! However, sometimes talking about fitness to those you care about can be a sensitive subject, so you have to tread lightly. If your friend or family member has expressed interest in starting a fitness plan before, the easiest way to get them started would be to bring them with you to the gym sometime or recommend that they get a personal trainer. Having a buddy to encourage them and help them stay motivated while working out goes a long way. Another way that you can help someone get started with being active, is to ask them to join you in a group fitness class, possibly one that you've never been to before either. This way, they'll feel more comfortable since you'll also be new at it and group fitness tends to be less intimidating. If they have absolutely no interest in fitness, then continue what you are doing with your training. You can share with them how much better you've been feeling as well as other benefits, plus they'll see you making progress and will soon want to know what you're doing and how they can get started. Be patient and don't push, people have to want to workout for themselves first, so stay encouraging!

Maria Kolodziej: Personally, I think being a rock-solid example of wellness is the best way to go about this. When you look well and feel well it shows through in everything you do. Making strategic comments about wellness, your nutritional choices, and your time exercising around the person you are trying to motivate might be all it takes. There is a lot to be said for just "planting the seed."

Steven Madden: Getting someone you care about to start working out can be tricky. There are a lot of implications to that idea. I think it's best to approach it from a healthy lifestyle point of view. Make it clear that you are speaking about overall health. Then, you have to start small, and find something you'll do together. It could be taking a spinning class, martial arts, or even something as simple taking a walk together. Bottom line, you need to be willing to support them by actually doing it with them.

Then, when things get comfortable, you have to find the right way to increase frequency and intensity. My wife as asked me to train her several times. I first tried treating her like a client, that didn't end well, there were tears. Then I tried a softer approach that just didn't work hard enough. The truth is that while my wife is a dancer, she just doesn't like to work out, she hates the actual exercising portion of the whole thing. I tried lots of different approaches, short intense workouts, longer with more rest periods, nothing worked; apart from walking together. Finally, the solution came when she asked me why do I work out.

Personal Trainer Steven Madden as Captain America

See, I didn't realize she was looking at progress on a daily basis. If the scale didn't move or she didn't look better after 3 days, she didn't want to continue. When I explained that I view every workout as an individual challenge for me to conquer, her whole attitude changed. Don't get me wrong, I want to weigh a little less and have a little more muscle mass, but if my goal is to look like Chris Evens in Captain America, that has to be the end result of daily challenges I set for myself in the form of intense workouts. When my wife started looking at her health like that, it all became easier. She still hates doing it, but now she will at least do it, with me right by her.