By Jason Nelson. NASM – MT, CPT, CES, PES, SFS.
When it comes to fitness getting a trainer or a coach is important, but it doesn’t stop there. At the end of the day we provide the tools, but to cut a tree you’ve got to swing the axe. Read on to evaluate which “client profile” fits better to understand where you may fall short and how to avoid it.
Which “client type” are you?
If you’re “Client A” you’re super motivated! You show up religiously for your training sessions, take classes and is very active on your off time. You crush it every day and hardly ever miss a day to sweat or get pumped. You’re finished with your workout and have to rush to get to work or go home to your family. You’re probably paying little to no attention to the recovery aspect of your programming because you used all your time training. This will eventually lead to plateaus and overuse injuries.
The fix is in
- Reduce workout time by at least 10 – 15 minutes by decreasing rest time between sets or decreasing total volume overall to incorporate flexibility and trigger point release pre workout to increase mobility and tissue perfusion (increased blood flow) When the body moves optimally overall caloric expenditure increases as a result of increased strength and cardiovascular capacity. Don’t sweat it, your workout intensity will increase due to shortened rest periods.
- Sleep and Recovery are very important. Supplementation such as BCAA, ZMA, L-glutamine, tart cherry extract and multivitamins can augment your nutrition to reduce soreness, improve sleep quality and decrease inflammation.
Let’s look at “Client B”.
If you fall into this category you are probably a better listener and a lot easier to coach. You’re a sponge and a great coach or trainer would definitely change your life. You need step by step guidance and that can often come across as being “needy’. You may have gotten OK results in the past, but you need to be regularly motivated to stay on track and take ownership of your fitness. The fix is in.
- Work on finding a great coach or trainer that is focused on the results you want. You need a “plan ” to follow and you have to be held accountable. Regular check ins with your coach will keep you on track to get better results which in turn will increase your motivation and decrease the chances of you “falling off’. A diet higher in protein, nuts and green leafy vegetables will increase tyrosine, choline and folate levels naturally, and is great to boost dopamine, acetylcholine and energy levels needed to get you to the gym.
- The social circle that is conducive to your journey will be very beneficial to you. You’ve heard it “Birds of a feather”, right? Hang with people who are into fitness and understand why you are not drinking or eating yourself to an early grave. Social pressure is tough man, I know. Surround yourself with active people that give a s#!t about how they move, feel and look.
Take time to evaluate the weaker or missing links because if you don’t you will only widen the gap between what makes you better and what eventually becomes your Achilles heel. Respectfully, Jason Nelson.- NASM MT, CPT, PES, CES, SFS