What's involved in a personal training programme?

[Thequeenisdeadboys]

Hoping to get something booked but just looking at what's on offer in my area. What would an hours session entail? And is an hour a week enough? Thanks in advance.

I've been seeing a PT weekly for a few years (and have periods of going fortnightly instead). They'll discuss your goals and then create a plan to achieve those goals. They should take measurements before you do anything, so you will have measurable means of seeing that you're making improvements.

Whether once a week is enough is up to you. For me, going weekly means I get a really good work out at least once a week, and the knowledge that I need to do other stuff in between, otherwise I'm wasting money and everyone's time. If you're not sure if you'll be able to do the work in between sessions, then maybe consider more frequent sessions.

A typical sessions for me is a quick warm up, dynamic stretches, then a series of circuits of 3 to 4 exercises, usually using some form of weights (weights machines, dumbbells, kettlebells, body weight), repeated 3-4 times, before then starting a new circuit. I'm usually exhausted (but exhilarated) by the end.

It depends what your goals are and it's important to be really honest about that. If you want to look buff in a bikini or lose xlbs, don't tell him/her you want to be able to bench your bodyweight or run a 10k (or vice versa). I'm not sure I necessarily agree that they should take measurements as that kind of assumes the goals are body comp related, whereas if you do want to bench bodyweight then (s)he should test your bench and use that as a starting point. But yes, they should benchmark you at the outset depending on what your goals are.

Also decide if you want the PT to programme for you or if you plan to do your own thing outside the session. Some PTs programme as standard. Others charge extra. I programme for myself outside the sessions but I often incorporate things he's advised me to work on into my own workouts (at the moment I'm working on handstands, planks and hip flexors)

Don't be afraid to change PT if it isn't working. Some just aren't very good at some goal sets vs. others or have particular passions that might not align with yours.

I warm up beforehand so I get the whole hour but again, depends what your programme is. I struggle with mobility so I like a good 30 min warm up/ stretching etc.

Typical session would be some sort of big compound movement (bench/squats/deadlift etc), some accessory work (overhead press work/pull ups/ cable work/lunges etc) and then a conditioning piece (circuit). Then do a bit of ab work at the end.

Thankyou so much for your info. That's great and helps alot. Ideally I want to lower BMI and learn to run properly. Goal is to run a 10K easily. Done lots of 5k fun runs but feel I would like to train more seriously ..and know what I'm doing. Know what each stretch actually does. Thanks again.