Getting the best from PT session
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jon2412
Posts: 61 Member
Hey all,
I’ve booked a PT session tomorrow for an hour - looking forward to it and want to make sure I’m putting in the right things to get the best from it. As this will be a first session it’s all about discovery and what my goals are. Below is my thinking, is this reasonable..?
I’m fairly good in steady state cardio - I can run continuous 5k in about 36mins. I tend to run about twice per week and I average maybe 8k steps per day but otherwise fairly sedentary (I have a desk job).
My goals are to continue with weight loss, improve my running both for distance and 5k times and sort out imbalances in leg muscles. Thinking the PT sessions can give me some structured approach to weights and help with analysis of gait and improvements for running. Is this reasonable or should those with more experience of going to / being at PT advise differently?? Thanks!
I’ve booked a PT session tomorrow for an hour - looking forward to it and want to make sure I’m putting in the right things to get the best from it. As this will be a first session it’s all about discovery and what my goals are. Below is my thinking, is this reasonable..?
I’m fairly good in steady state cardio - I can run continuous 5k in about 36mins. I tend to run about twice per week and I average maybe 8k steps per day but otherwise fairly sedentary (I have a desk job).
My goals are to continue with weight loss, improve my running both for distance and 5k times and sort out imbalances in leg muscles. Thinking the PT sessions can give me some structured approach to weights and help with analysis of gait and improvements for running. Is this reasonable or should those with more experience of going to / being at PT advise differently?? Thanks!
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Replies
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Sounds like you need a running coach rather than a PT, or do they specialise in running?1
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I'm not sure its in the remit of a pt to be able to analyse your gait. Like the above poster says, does this PT specialise in running and have qualifications which enable him to teach it?0
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TavistockToad wrote: »Sounds like you need a running coach rather than a PT, or do they specialise in running?
In this case they do specialise in running - that’s their thing which was a reason I thought I’d have a session with them. I haven’t block booked yet as want to make sure it’s a ‘good fit’.
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You're being completely reasonable, however be open to what he/she suggests and think just keep it simple, if you want to suss out if it's right for you'll need about a month of working with the trainer in my experience. I would also suggest not to emphasise the running too much at the start, allow the PT to guide you. If you find it's not for you or you don't feel like you're making progress etc, then crack on yourself0
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Hey all,
I’ve booked a PT session tomorrow for an hour - looking forward to it and want to make sure I’m putting in the right things to get the best from it. As this will be a first session it’s all about discovery and what my goals are. Below is my thinking, is this reasonable..?
I’m fairly good in steady state cardio - I can run continuous 5k in about 36mins. I tend to run about twice per week and I average maybe 8k steps per day but otherwise fairly sedentary (I have a desk job).
My goals are to continue with weight loss, improve my running both for distance and 5k times and sort out imbalances in leg muscles. Thinking the PT sessions can give me some structured approach to weights and help with analysis of gait and improvements for running. Is this reasonable or should those with more experience of going to / being at PT advise differently?? Thanks!
Weight training is very different than running. I specialize in endurance sports but for weights I would refer. Just know than fitness is multi faceted and being good at one aspect could mean good at many. But in general do not blindly trust, PT is expensive and you can get a certificate from taking at test. No additional schooling required. The standard for practice is low. Don't get me wrong, tons of amazing PTs but also a bunch of cracks....I know one who takes all there athletes off carbs...all of them. It's sad. Ask for some references in both running and weights/resistance training.0 -
Be wary of woo-spewing... "Special" diets, shakes, supplements are all red flags.1
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TavistockToad wrote: »
And they will retain 0 clients if so, because nearly all will be asked for nutritional advice. It's pretty easy to give sound (yet basic) advice, hundreds of people do it here every day. It's when "specialized and specific" advice is given that plays on people's emotions, psuedo-science and half truths that things get messy quickly.3 -
Is this personal trainer or physical therapist?2
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Hey all,
I’ve booked a PT session tomorrow for an hour - looking forward to it and want to make sure I’m putting in the right things to get the best from it. As this will be a first session it’s all about discovery and what my goals are. Below is my thinking, is this reasonable..?
I’m fairly good in steady state cardio - I can run continuous 5k in about 36mins. I tend to run about twice per week and I average maybe 8k steps per day but otherwise fairly sedentary (I have a desk job).
My goals are to continue with weight loss, improve my running both for distance and 5k times and sort out imbalances in leg muscles. Thinking the PT sessions can give me some structured approach to weights and help with analysis of gait and improvements for running. Is this reasonable or should those with more experience of going to / being at PT advise differently?? Thanks!
Given what you describe as your current situation a PT, even one also qualified as a running coach, is likely to give fairly generic advice.
Continuing with weight loss is about your diet, rather than anything else and as above if they give you any woo then walk away.
The gist is likely to be; eat at a deficit, increase your running volume both in terms of frequency and distance and add some resistance training. Personally I'd pull a canned 10K plan, you don't require anything more sophisticated to be designed for you. The resistance training very much depends on your preferences, but personally I veer towards bodyweight as it's easy to integrate into running training. For free weights of point someone at a gym and get them to use the intro sessions to learn how to use the weights for a fairly basic set of full body movements. Again, no need for anything more sophisticated, so save the money.
The very practical observation is make is that a good coach should probably spend much of the session having you talk, rather than taking to you. It's about eliciting what's important to you, what your preferences are, and where you might just need a bit of a push to try something. Anyone who starts getting One True Way (TM) on you isn't worth it.
I'd add, check where the running qualification is from. Here in the UK the authority for choosing us UK Athletics, who franchise the Trail Running Association and the Fell Running Association to verify coaches who specialise in those disciplines. A TRA or FRA coach wouldn't generally work with a track runner, but the coaching and technical skills are the same across all three. Trail and fell running have additional technical, navigation and first responder considerations.1 -
I’ve been seeing two separate PTs (one since April for plantar fasciitis which is slowly progressing) and another since October for the kinds of things you describe—more related to form and preventing future injury. We haven’t talked about nutrition but her form analysis, strength exercises, and scraping of tight muscles and fascia all around the top of my injured leg made a huge difference to me. She specializes in running work and that has made a big difference in how much I’ve been able to progress— from about 12 miles a week in September to about 25 miles a week for the last month or so without moving backwards.0
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TavistockToad wrote: »Sounds like you need a running coach rather than a PT, or do they specialise in running?
In this case they do specialise in running - that’s their thing which was a reason I thought I’d have a session with them. I haven’t block booked yet as want to make sure it’s a ‘good fit’.
I'm not really sure what you're asking for then... do you just want reassurance?
We don't know the person you're going to, we don't know what they've acheived with their previous clients, we don't know whether their personality meshes with yours or they'll program you something to fit your needs, we don't know if their services fit your budget, etc.
You want to improve your running, so you're going to someone who specializes in improving running. You haven't even had your first session with them... what is there really to ask?0 -
TavistockToad wrote: »
It's part of the job to mention nutrition. Almost all personal training clients come in with the expectation or primary goal of weight loss. Part of setting SMART goals during a client assessment is informing them that weight loss requires a calorie deficit and no matter how hard they work in the gym weight loss comes down to the other 23 hours a day they're on their own. Essentially, it's our duty to inform them that we cannot guarantee weight loss as a result of exercise and that it is both unattainable and unrealistic to expect this without altering calorie intake.
PT's are well within their scope of practice to mention nutrition so long as it falls in line with the USDA healthy eating guidelines. They can provide generic advice to their clients such as "you should track your food in a diary", "you should eat x calories based on your current goals", "you should see registered dietitian if you need a specific meal plan", and "these are some resources that offer recipes/meal prepping that you may find helpful", etc.
They are even allowed to recommend generic supplements including: a multivitamin, an Omega 3 supplement, whey protein, and creatine. These supplements have overwhelming clinic evidence supporting their use and are recommended by all of the large certifying agencies (NASM, ACSM, ACE, ISSA, etc.). They are specifically trained to advise their clients to use USDA's MyPlate and a calorie tracking app like myfitnesspal. They are even allowed to give specific calories and macros for their clients so long as they fall in line with the USDA recommendations: 45-65% calories from carbohydrates, 10-35% from protein, and 25-30% calories from fat.
They are certainly not allowed to supply any specific dogmatic advice such as: an elimination diet, a specific meal plan, a certain diet like keto/paleo/vegan, tell individuals what they can/can't eat, etc.
Essentially, just because some trainers are stupid and preach nonsense that falls outside of their scope doesn't mean that all trainers giving advice on nutrition are wrong. I personally own my own business as a personal trainer and have an extra specialization in nutrition; believe me nothing is more frustrating than hearing harmful advice from other trainers. But i DO understand the average education level of most clients.... for those that cannot follow this generic advice it's always best to refer to a dietitian.5 -
rainbowbow wrote: »...so long as it falls in line with the USDA healthy eating guidelines.
Given that the originator is in the UK that's all a little moot.
A PT, or coach, may have additional training in dietary advice. It's relatively straighforward to qualify in the UK, and the courses are progressive, unless one completes a Masters in coaching, which is a bit more time consuming. The vast majority of gym based PTs may have quite limited training.
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So @jon2412 how did it go?0
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I hope you had a good session.
My advice would be to be open minded about your goals.
Through my personal trainer I have discovered so many things I didn't know I could do or hadn't even though about so my goals change all the time. I had one to push 100kg on a sled, and one to cycle 10k, now I am working on being able to do a push up off the floor, being able to do a burpee and row 3k. I have my big goals still in the back of my mind. I would like to do a half marathon one day. I think I'm still 6 months to a year off that.1 -
Sorry tardy reply...
It was a good session. Some good moves to help with old injuries. Got advice on running techniques. Slam ball, kettle bell, free weights, balance all worked in. It was great! Woke up muscles I’d forgotten about. I asked lots of questions and went through my specific issues and goals - was listened to and session tailored as needed. I’ll be going back for sure :-)2 -
TavistockToad wrote: »
And they will retain 0 clients if so, because nearly all will be asked for nutritional advice. It's pretty easy to give sound (yet basic) advice, hundreds of people do it here every day. It's when "specialized and specific" advice is given that plays on people's emotions, psuedo-science and half truths that things get messy quickly.
Nonsense. I worked in a PT office for 15 years, and they don't offer advice outside their area of expertise. They are licensed medical professionals who have to adhere to a code of conduct which includes NOT offering that sort of advice.0 -
maryannprt wrote: »TavistockToad wrote: »
And they will retain 0 clients if so, because nearly all will be asked for nutritional advice. It's pretty easy to give sound (yet basic) advice, hundreds of people do it here every day. It's when "specialized and specific" advice is given that plays on people's emotions, psuedo-science and half truths that things get messy quickly.
Nonsense. I worked in a PT office for 15 years, and they don't offer advice outside their area of expertise. They are licensed medical professionals who have to adhere to a code of conduct which includes NOT offering that sort of advice.
Personal trainer not physical therapist
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