Client Spotlight: Personal Training
I started training in May. The plan was to do a weekly programme consisting of one personal training session with Aine and then two home training sessions.
My motivation for hiring a trainer was I really wanted to tone up and get fit. For some years I’d swapped working out for lounging around on the sofa and eating way too many ‘comfort’ foods. I was feeling old before my time, as well as rather flabby. I have a range of exercise DVDs, but I didn’t really push myself – it’s too easy to do the lower impact versions when you’re on your own. I considered joining a gym, but I prefer to exercise privately and I knew the same rules would apply, I wouldn’t push myself very much, or potentially I’d try to show off and then do myself an injury!
Despite the fact I was determined, I approached our first session with some trepidation. It had been a long time since I’d run for a bus, let alone done a star jump. But Aine is totally unlike the stereotypical trainer I had in my head. She was professional, warm and friendly which put me at ease. She took me through some exercises to assess my level of fitness and took measurements and photos so we could track my progress. The testing session was good. I enjoyed seeing where I was physically, even if it wasn’t very impressive, because I knew it could only get better.
Aine developed a programme for me which consisted of a meal plan and a home exercise plan. Some of the earlier sessions were challenging as my fitness was just so far from where it should have been, but Aine always kept an eye on my heart-rate (we wear a special watch and monitor that you totally forget about when exercising) and she adjusted the exercise accordingly. She also encouraged me to take rests when I needed and to just let her know if anything felt too challenging. I knew I had to do some sweating in order to get fit so I did try to do as much as I could. I felt motivated because she was there, praising me as I went along. I thought I’d get annoyed with the countdowns: ‘Just three more!’ etc. But it’s really helpful – and now I rely on them!
I’ve ended up extending my sessions as I’ve enjoyed them so much and seen real improvements: I’m so much fitter and stronger; my heart-rate is lower; my right wrist which had been strained for years (due to a lot of typing/mouse use) has recovered and I’ve pulled in all over. I compared measurements of myself from several years ago when I was a lot slimmer and I’m even more toned/tighter than I was back then, even though my weight is actually more on the scales. I know not to judge too much by weight now, particularly as muscles weigh more than fat. I focus instead on how great I feel and, of course, how confident I am in form-fitting clothes.
I never get bored, Aine mixes up the sessions and increases reps and weights so that my body is always being challenged, without being strained. She always gives me sound advice and meal ideas, beyond what I pay for – and brings me in samples of her healthy cooking which I always appreciate!
I’m going to keep doing it for as long as I can, it’s become my new favourite thing – and it feels great.
