When do you work out? Do you ever exercise with clients? If so, how does this affect your own workout schedule?

I like to swim in the morning or catch a personal session before lunch. Sometimes I get a workout inadvertently while working with my clients but I never make it my intention. Its their time, their money, and their session. Even if I do an entire circuit with a client, My mind is focused in them and my motivation is projected towards them.

Exercising in the evening was becoming too difficult; that's prime time for my clients. Working out in the morning took some getting used to, but I do it regularly now. (I generally train around 7 AM or 8 AM.) For the last 5 years, I've been working out with a boxing trainer 3 to 4 days a week. I also manage 2 to 3 days of weight training per week on my own, in my studio. This schedule has worked out well for me. I often exercise with a few of my clients. We get tired of being indoors, but, thankfully, I have found much to do outdoors to break up the monotony. For example, I use a huge park behind my studio to do something different. We go on bike rides there and stop at the area built for circuits to do sit-ups and push-ups before riding on. I also use cones, jump ropes and a medicine ball for great drills and cardiovascular exercises. Of course, the time of day dictates whether or not we go outside. Outdoor training is a lot of fun on a nice day; the clients love it! However, here in Arizona, the days can reach 110 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. No one wants to be outside then. Working out with these few clients really does not affect my workout schedule. (I can always use a little extra exercise!) I imagine that having to work out with all of my clients probably would get to be too much. Luckily, at this point, only these few enjoy exercising outside.

Ensuring that I get an effective workout is one of my biggest challenges. After many overuse injuries, I have had to plan my activity thoroughly in and around my training sessions. I often complete the cardio portion of my workout with my clients, who come individually or in small groups. Sessions may involve teaching step or floor aerobics, leading a boot camp-type session or taking clients out for a power walk. When I have several training sessions in a day, I tend to restrain my physical output so I don't over train. Consequently, I require a more intense cardio session on my own to maintain my fitness level. I often do my own session at the beginning of the day so I know how much I have left to give in terms of energy output for my training sessions. Often, from the end of my workout to the end of the day, I have little or no energy left. Nonetheless, I prefer to complete my workout at the end of my day; I use it to unwind. I recommend that trainers watch their scheduling of high-energy, high-impact sessions. I plan my sessions to alternate high and low impacts and build in strength-only or cardio-machine sessions to give my body a break. My heaviest training days are Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are lighter in terms of the energy required, so I plan my personal workouts for those days and at least one weekend day. When I was young and foolish, I thought I could train clients all day and then complete my workout. Now that I am older and wiser, I plan better to keep my injuries to a minimum. I encourage young trainers to plan now to prevent injuries tomorrow. I also advise trainers to see a physiotherapist or chiropractor and a massage therapist on a regular basis for preventive maintenance.

Like many personal trainers, I begin my client appointments early in the morning. Depending on the day, my first appointment is at 7 AM or 8 AM, and I usually try to get to the fitness center 1 1?2 to 2 hours beforehand to fit in my personal workout. That means that I work out, shower and prepare for my day between 5 AM and 7AM. I have one client with whom I occasionally exercise. This gentleman has been a loyal client for several years and is always open to innovative ideas; he welcomes the chance to be the first to experiment with new techniques. On days when I exercise with this client, I look at the goal of that day's session and simply adjust my own morning workout accordingly, knowing that I will work on certain areas later with him.

A fellow presenter at a conference once said that a trainer should at least experiment with exercising only as much as his average client does. The typical person looks at personal trainers and thinks, “I could never look like that. I can't spend hours in the gym every day.” Sure, some clients come to us because they are impressed by our physiques, but many more are intimidated by a body sculpted through draconian diets and countless hours in the gym. That presenter's advice forced me to find ways to make my (and my clients') workouts as productive and efficient as possible. On the other hand, as consultant Bob Esquerre likes to say, your body is your business card in this industry. Studies have shown that trainers are more concerned with clients' bodies than clients are with trainers' bodies, but we have to find time to exercise, even if only to set an example. If we don't exercise enough ourselves, it's impossible to convince clients that exercise is important enough to pay for. From this perspective, finding time for my own workout becomes an important part of doing business, and thinking of it that way automatically makes it a priority. One of my daily objectives is to dedicate at least an hour to working on my mind or my body. Obviously, it is most time-effective to do both simultaneously. Often, while resting between sets, I skim a kinesiology or biomechanics book. Sometimes, I go over the PowerPoint “Handout View” from one of my presentations. For example, in learning innervations, I would study a diagram showing muscles and their respective innervations and then do an exercise while concentrating on those muscles. Adding a kinesthetic element enhanced my learning. The increased alpha-gamma coactivation probably helped the workout, too. Furthermore, while working out, instead of listening to music, I listen to audiotapes on sales, goal setting, time management, physiology, psychology, presentation skills or anything else that can help me advance my business. Ultimately, as we tell our clients, we have to make exercise a priority. The best way to do this is to make an appointment in a daily planner and treat it as you would treat an appointment with a paying client. Use this time wisely, and it will pay off-figuratively and literally-in the long run.

Part of why I became a personal trainer was because I loved the thrill and challenge of physical movement and wanted to help others achieve their own version of bliss.

I rarely work out with clients during a pt session. I strongly believe that's their time, and I owe it to them to give my full energy and attention to their form, performance, comfort and exertion patterns, etc.. That said, it can be a great motivator for them to have me get on the floor with them and squeeze out the last few push ups, or run the final distance with them.

These days I probably have maybe 3 days where I have time and access to gym equipment, and I'll make good use of it:) Other days, I may do a DVD, or just a collection of moves I put together. Plus, I'm lucky enough to be able to walk to work, about 20-25 minutes each way. Overall, it's such a part of my life that I just sometimes launch into a set of squats, 1 leg balancers, or blast the radio for a dance party!

I have two young children, 3 and 5.5 years, so there is a fair bit of running around, but I find the more organized time is still a necessity for my mental health:).

I never work out with my clients because that would take away some of the attention that I need to pay to them. I believe that I could not do that If I worked out with them.

For my own workouts: my very favorite piece of cardiovascular equipment is my dog. If the weather permits at al, we are out for about an hour. And while I am fully aware that I am probably not in my ideal heart rate zone, this hour does more for my mental health than anything else.

My strength workouts vary. I have my own studio and love to experiment with equipment and modalities. I have a few 'must-dos' because I had shoulder probelms in the past and don't want those to come back. Ever since I have become a MELT instructor, I use those techniques very often. The MELT Strength module is great because it works on precise movement and little repetition.

My workout times vary but I have the advantage of having my studio in the basement of my house and can easily use 30 minutes between clients.

I work out right after my first bout of sessions and sometimes right after my last session of the day and I never workout in my own studio. I did that when I first started my own business and it completely robbed me of my motivation because I would never get away from my studio. I find it important to keep a balance between work and play so that I can be refreshed and motivated in both.

I often workout with my girl and women athlete clients. Oftentimes, the drills and exercises that I have them perform are "partner" type exercises. Also, I will challenge them from time-to-time in a game-like atmosphere. They love it, it motivates them to "beat" the trainer, and they mimic what and how they see me perform which helps them with their own execution. I will also do challenges with them from time to time which of course also involves my working out with them. It's all in fun, they love it and because they never know what to expect from workout to workout ("will I have to face a challenge...") they ALWAYS come prepared!

Because my philosophy is to train my GENERAL FITNESS CLIENTS the same (well, not exactly the same but you get the idea) as my athletes, I will often workout with these clients as well. As I always tell my clients, "I will never ask you to do something that I don't think you're ready for, or that you can't do" So, with that in mind, I would never workout with a beginning client who requires my full and undivided attention. I reserve these "partner" workouts for those clients who have gained my trust in being able to perform without my micromanaging them. Every client IS an individual and so you as the trainer need to feel comfortable with, and know the client that you try this method with.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I always find the time to workout. There is a saying, if you really want something, you will find time for it. I always block out times during the day to workout and in a way where I am not going to living at work.

Working out with clients for me is a tricky situation. I see trainers work out with their clients all the time. On one hand, you push each other, and that gives the client an added incentive because of that extra attention. On the other hand, even though we have our favorite clients, it may give other clients the impression that you are favoring one client over the other. I never work out with my clients solely because of that, because it may give that wrong impression. I may from time to time, see if clients want to come and join me for a run, either outside or on the treadmill, but I make sure I ask all my clients that to make sure they feel included.

Nelson Chen
http://www.pugetsoundarearunningcamp.com

I work out alone or with friends. I suppose working out with your client is fine if THEY ask you to.