Ownership of the Outcome

Though there are similarities between keeping your body fit and keeping your teeth healthy, there are differences during your regularly scheduled appointments.  Whether it’s a few times a week or once every six months, it may seem like all you have to do is show up…but the truth is you have to work a lot harder when you show up to see your personal trainer than you do at the dentist.

Sounds kind of ominous, doesn’t it?  It makes you wonder why anyone would want to work with a trainer, right?

I happen to love working one-on-one with a personal trainer and getting my teeth cleaned (not at the same time), though I know not everyone feels that way.

Are you more worried about going to the dentist?  If so, good.  Let’s keep it that way.  🙂

When working with a trainer, appointments are your opportunity to get your exercise done.  If your trainer has assigned homework, she is encouraging you to increase your regular fitness activities as well as continue the progress you are making during your in-person sessions.  Workouts are designed with you in mind – taking into account your current fitness level and goals.  The process of figuring out what to do, when, and for how long has been handled prior to the start of your session and you can start and end your workout without a care, if you wish, knowing that your trainer has saved you time and effort.  Your sessions also provide a chance to talk with your trainer about questions you may have, and your trainer will likely check in with you about your physical activities during the time between your sessions.

For many services, sometimes all you need to do is show up.  If it’s a personal care appointment (e.g., teeth cleaning, haircut, pedicure, etc.), it’s possible to relax into a chair and the services will get done with minimal additional effort on your part.  However, with personal training, you need to show up prepared to work.  You need to take ownership – expect to see results, while ensuring that you are doing everything in your power to get those results.  If your heart isn’t in it, then the best trainer in the world won’t be able to help you achieve lasting results.

Unlike many other services we receive, personal fitness training requires an active approach (active commitment from both the trainer and client/student, active work from the trainer to build and lead effective workouts, and active participation from the client to complete those workouts and any homework that is assigned) and true ownership of the long-term outcome by the client.  It is up to you, as the client, to accept that your progress is dependent upon your willingness to actively participate in the improvement of your health.  Working with a trainer can make this process easier via the accountability inherent in the relationship, but there is no magic pill and it takes time to effect lasting change.  Further, there is the hope that you will become self-sufficient with exercise and no longer require the services that a great personal trainer provides.

No matter how self-sufficient you are with regard to caring for your teeth, good luck getting your dentist to recommend that you no longer need to come in for your regular check-ups.