by Travis Wade
A good personal trainer? Man, they’re like your fitness GPS. They’re not just there to show you how to do a squat—they’re there to make sure you actually do it! A great trainer’s like that voice in your head when you’re thinking, “I don’t feel like working out today,” and they hit you with, “Oh, but you’re going to work out today!” They’ll have you showing up to the gym like it’s church.
And listen, they don’t just motivate you once. Oh no, they’re like your personal hype man! They keep you motivated the whole way through. Every time you want to quit, they’re there like, “Oh, you thought this was Netflix?! Nah, this is sweatflix, baby!”
So yeah, a great trainer’s got your back… and your arms, and your legs, and your soul. And you’ll be thanking them—after you stop crying from leg day!
Personal Trainers Are Great
Personal trainers? Oh, they’re the real MVPs. They help you reach your fitness goals like they’re guiding you through life’s toughest challenges—like that time you tried to cut carbs. They keep you accountable when you want to quit, motivate you when you’re crying inside, and remind you of why you signed up in the first place when you’re questioning your entire existence during a squat. But hold up, before you go hire one, let’s make sure you’re getting the right kind of trainer for you.
I mean, you don’t want a trainer yelling at you like you’re in boot camp when all you needed was a yoga mat and a soft voice telling you, “Breathe, baby, breathe.”
1. What Type of Trainer?
So first off, ask yourself, “Do I want a drill sergeant or a life coach?” Do you want someone who’s gonna yell at you like, “C’mon! One more rep! You got this!” like they’re auditioning for a Rocky movie? Or you want that gentle, soft-spoken trainer who’s all like, “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll do one more when you’re ready.” You know, the type of trainer that hands you a towel with love, like it’s a warm hug for your soul.
But be careful—you pick the wrong one, you’re gonna be halfway through the workout like, “I didn’t sign up for this. I thought we were stretching, not going to war!”
2. Experience Matters
Next, you gotta ask about their experience. How long have they been in the game? ‘Cause you don’t want a rookie trainer. You know, that trainer who just started last Tuesday, out here googling workouts between sets. Nah, you want someone who’s been in the trenches, worked with all types of bodies—big, small, tall, short—someone who’s seen some things! The kind of trainer that knows how to tweak your workout just right so you don’t end up lookin’ like you need an ambulance.
But real talk, if your trainer’s experience level is “I used to be an Instagram fitness influencer,” run! They’ll have you doing burpees while they’re fixing their selfie lighting.
3. Certifications and Licenses
Now, this one’s important—check their certifications! You need to know if they’ve got the paperwork, man. I’m talkin’ licenses, certificates, something official that says, “I know what I’m doing.” You don’t wanna be that person who hired some dude who watched a YouTube video and thought, “I can be a trainer.” Nope. That’s how you end up in the emergency room ‘cause your “trainer” thought jumping off the treadmill while holding weights was a good idea.
Look, if your trainer’s only qualification is “I lift, bro,” you’re in trouble. You need to run like you’re late for leg day.
4. Location, Location, Location
And finally, let’s talk about location. Yeah, where is this gym? Is it in the same city or is it in the next time zone? ‘Cause if your trainer’s gym is an hour away, guess what? You’re never going! I’m just being real. You start off all motivated like, “I’m gonna make that drive every day!” Then two weeks in, you’re like, “You know what? These abs can wait.”
If your gym is further than your favorite pizza place, your fitness goals are in jeopardy. I mean, if it’s between gym or pizza and pizza’s closer… well, let’s just say your six-pack is gonna be covered by a whole lotta cheese.
So there you go! Personal trainers are amazing, but you gotta do your homework. And remember, if your trainer ever says, “Let’s do a few more reps for fun,” you should start questioning their sanity. Nobody does extra reps for fun! For more on how to choose a personal trainer, see my article here.
People also ask how do I maximize exercise?
Get ready for some truth bombs, served with humor.
1. Nutrition
Listen, nutrition is like your momma when you were a kid—you need it for everything! Without it, you ain’t going nowhere. You think you’re gonna build muscle without protein? That’s like trying to build a house with no bricks. You’re just out here with a blueprint, no tools, lookin’ crazy. You want to lose fat? You better get those good fats. Eat a bag of fries, though, and your body’s like, “Nah, fam, that ain’t it.” And don’t even get me started on vitamins and minerals. They’re the unsung heroes. You’re out here lifting weights, talking ’bout “I’m strong,” but inside, your bones are like, “Help!”
2. Hydration
Water! Look, you need to drink water like your life depends on it—’cause it does! You ever see someone at the gym trying to work out dehydrated? They’re over there lookin’ like a raisin on a treadmill, gasping for air like they ran a marathon just by putting on their shoes. Water keeps you alive, keeps your muscles from cramping, and let’s be real—it’s the only thing that tastes good after a workout.
But let’s not act like we all don’t hate drinking a gallon a day. “How much water should I drink?” Just drink till your pee looks like lemonade and not iced tea, alright?
3. Sleep
If you don’t get enough sleep, you might as well take a siesta. You’re out here with bags under your eyes, trying to lift weights, looking like you belong in a zombie movie. You can’t get gains when you’re half-dead. Sleep is just as important as hitting the gym. You wanna stay up all night binge-watching Netflix and then wonder why you can’t lift that 20-pound dumbbell? Your muscles are just as tired as your brain. They’re like, “Nah, I’m clocked out.”
But hey, if all else fails, just tell yourself, “Nap time is part of the workout.”
4. Stress Management
Man, stress will mess you up! You can’t focus on your workout if your brain’s out here doing laps around your problems. Your heart’s racing, blood pressure’s high, and cortisol? That’s just your body throwing shade at your whole life. It’s like, “Oh, you’re stressed? Let me make you gain weight just for fun.” And then you wonder why you can’t focus in the gym?
But exercise helps with stress too! So, technically, your workout is also therapy. So next time someone asks why you’re in the gym so much, just say, “I’m dodging therapy bills, man.”
5. Cardio Training
Cardio. Look, I don’t care what anybody says—nobody likes cardio. You ever notice how people always talk about “I’m a runner” with a side of guilt? Like, just admit it—you hate it, but you do it ‘cause you have to. You want that heart pumping, lungs burning, but deep down you’re like, “Man, I could’ve just walked to the fridge and called it a day.”
But hey, at least when you’re running, you can pretend you’re escaping all your responsibilities.
6. Strength Training
Lifting weights is where it’s at! You wanna feel like you’re doing something in life? Hit the weights. Lifting makes you feel invincible—like you can pick up anything. Until you try to move a couch by yourself. Then you remember, “Nah, I’m only strong in the gym.” But still, it builds lean muscle, burns calories, and makes you look good in the mirror. Let’s be honest, we ain’t lifting for strength; we’re lifting for selfies. Don’t lie!
And listen, if the weights feel too heavy, just drop ‘em. Blame it on gravity. “Gravity’s extra strong today, man!”
7. Flexibility Training
Stretching is important, but let’s keep it real: nobody stretches until they hurt themselves. You ever pull a muscle and suddenly remember, “Oh yeah, I’m supposed to stretch.” Flexibility training is like flossing; you know you should do it, but you don’t—until it’s too late. But it’s important! Yoga, Pilates, all that stuff keeps you from walkin’ around like a robot. You want to touch your toes when you’re 70? Better start now!
But for real, stretching after a workout is like apologizing after an argument. You don’t wanna do it, but you know it’s necessary.
In conclusion, you need a solid plan with nutrition, hydration, sleep, and all that good stuff. Your personal trainer is like your fitness life coach. They’ll push you, motivate you, and sometimes annoy you. But hey, if they’re good at their job, you’ll end up thanking them—after you’re done cursing them out under your breath.
And remember: If all else fails, just post a gym selfie. That’s half the battle right there. For the top 5 best facilities in Edmonton see this article.
I wish you lots of health, love and happiness!
Travis Wade
The only holistic personal trainer in Edmonton.
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