Ask a Trainer: Q&A with a YMCA Personal Trainer

We ask our doctors about health care, seek guidance from financial advisors when making investments, we ask for support and guidance for raising our kids, maintaining our cars and sometimes even selecting the latest fashion. So why not ask the experts when it comes to reaching our fitness goals? Working with a personal trainer is informative, motivating and proven to lead to success. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is staffed with certified personal trainers ready to get you on track towards your fitness goals today. Still not sure? Take a look at what the Y’s highly sought after personal trainer, Shelley Everitt, has to say about hiring a personal trainer:

Q: Why should someone hire a personal trainer? 

A: Hiring a personal trainer can help alleviate the stress of working out. It can help streamline your goals and create a solid path to achieve success. It can help educate you on your physical literacy and determine where your strengths and imbalances lie. My clients often say that I help keep them committed to try new things and to have fun!

Q: What happens in the first session?

A: This completely depends on the individual needs of each client. Some of my clients want to spend time discussing their goals, needs, past injuries, fears, barriers or to simply put their mind at ease and begin their preparation for their first workout. Others will want to jump right in and do something new, fun and invigorating! No matter what your needs are  – we will ensure they are met and you succeed in reaching your fitness goals!

Q: How many weeks is ideal to hire a personal trainer and start seeing results?

A: Again this varies and is very much dependent on the individual’s ability to self-motivate, stay on track, their knowledge and comfort of the facility and their fitness program. Consistency is the KEY to success. However, individual results are tough to predict. If you start celebrating the small “wins” like “making it through the first workout” or “I did my first push up” or “I can lift WAY more than I though I could” – then you will see progress form day one! Getting bogged down with “when will I see results,” can sabotage all the progress that you make. Be kind to yourself, and let your trainer take you on the journey to success!

Q: What do you love the most about being a personal trainer?

Q: Oh, that’s an easy one – the smile I see on my client’s face when they do something they never thought was possible! Seeing clients embrace their journey and celebrate their wins makes me very happy.

Shelley’s 30-minute Total Body Workout

Short on time? Here is a workout that Shelley recommends to keep you on track when you only have 30 minutes to spare.

5-minute warm up (on treadmill, bike or elliptical)

4 super fun Tabatas  – A tabata is an interval training that consists of 20 second BURSTS of work, and a 10 second recovery. This happens for 8 rounds. (*Hint – you can download tabata timers on your phone to help you!)

Tabata #1 – Use a step and 2-3 risers per side – Run ups! Do 20 seconds of run ups leading with your right leg, 10 second rest, then 20 seconds on the left leg. Continue for the 8 rounds. This will take 4 minutes to perform.

Tabata #2 Jump squats (or regular squats) 20 seconds on, 10 seconds rest, 8 rounds

Tabata #3 Jump Lunges (or regular lunges) 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest, 8 rounds – alternating legs each round

Tabata #4 Push ups / crunches – 20 seconds of push ups, 10 seconds rest, 20 seconds crunches, 10 seconds rest – alternating for the 8 rounds.

Plank – put 30 seconds to 1 minute on the clock (depending on your plank ability) and hold your plank as long as you can with good form.

Take some time to stretch!

Whether you’re new to working out, or you’re an athlete looking to get to the next level, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka certified personal trainers can help you reach your fitness goals.

Invest in YOU. Take advantage of the Y’s Personal Training Promotion!

EXCLUSIVE OFFER:  For the month of April, you can enjoy 2 FREE personal training sessions when you purchase 5 or buy 10 sessions and get 3 FREE. That’s less than $25 per hour!

For more information, visit us at www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/personal_training or drop by your local YMCA.