Just one personal trainer session - can I...?

summer8it

I lift weights at home using a NROL plan, and I've never had any personal training. I recently spent $10 on a Groupon for a 3 month gym membership that comes with one personal training session, just so I could get the training session. Can I specifically ask that my training session just focus on checking and correcting my form on basic free weight lifts like squats, deadlifts, lunges, etc.?

The gym in question is a chain gym, and it isn't convenient enough to me for me to use regularly, so I'm not interested in learning how to use their special machines or cardio equipment. I just want to get some good info to take home to use in my home gym!

How would you phrase this request, or what else would you do to get the most out of just one session with a trainer?

parker1383

In my opinion you can request whatever you'd like from your personal training session. I'd start out by telling the person you don't like machines and would much rather use free weights (don't tell them it's because you don't plan on using their gym). While working with the weights or doing squats, etc., ask specifically about form. I've not used personal trainers much but when I have it's because I was wanting to learn something specific or get more info on working a certain body area. In my experience they've always been willing to go over whatever I wanted and not just go with whatever agenda they may have had in mind.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Cherimoose

How would you phrase this request?

Just tell them what you told us - that you're doing NROL and you just want your form checked on some of the exercises. Trainers prefer long-term clients, so if you apologize in advance that you can't use the gym long-term, they'll probably be more receptive.

Form issues show up best after a full set, using heavy weight, so don't expect to do just a few reps of 2 dozen exercises. Show them a list of about 8-10 exercises that you want to cover.

I recommend coming early before the session and doing your complete routine using heavy weight. By pre-fatiguing your muscles, it will make any form issues more obvious to the trainer.

Oh and chain gyms often have lower quality trainers, so try to pick the one with the most experience.