Dispelling Some Myths and Misconceptions - Part 2

More Myths to Bust!

Myth #6: I can train twice per week and get good results 

It is true that you can maintain a level of fitness temporarily with such limited training. But if you wish to make improvements you need to do quality training at least 3-4 times per week, depending on your fitness level and goals. The body needs to be exposed to consistent stimulus in order to make changes, grow, lose body fat and get fitter. This also means you need to perform the same exercises consistently for several weeks. Doing something different at each session may be good fun but it will not produce good results.

Myth #7: As long as I train hard I don’t need to watch my diet 

This is a big myth and it is untrue. When you train hard you get more hungry, therefore if left to your own devices you eat more. If you want to lose weight the single biggest change you can make is to your diet. If you are training to get a performance improvement you need to fuel your body right to be able to build the muscle and replenish your energy stores to allow you to do the training you need. If nothing else consider that when you do a hard workout you don’t want to undo all that you have just achieved by rewarding yourself with a muffin after the training session!

I use nutritional counseling as part of every personal training program to help you understand and adapt your current diet and make it work for you. 

Myth #8: You need lots of equipment to train at home 

We have successfully trained clients of all levels using only an exercise ball and some dumbbells. Using such limited and versatile equipment allows us to design you an exercise program that is fun to do, extremely functional and provides the correct stimulus for your body. And the equipment costs less than a few months of gym membership! 

Myth #9: I know how to train so I don’t need a personal trainer 

If you are making all the gains you desire already then yes, you don’t need a personal trainer. But if you have additional goals, whether it is to overcome an injury, lose some stubborn weight or improve a specific aspect of your performance that you have not been able to achieve by yourself then a personal trainer is an invaluable investment. 

Myth #10: Group training is just as effective as personal training 

Group training means that each person in the group is doing the same training. Usually the sessions are designed beforehand without knowing who is even coming to the class so there can be no allowance made for individual needs, goals or current fitness. At best group training is a marginal calorie dump. It is simply not possible for it to be specific enough to meet your intensity, injury history, strength goals, preferred exercises and ensure you are performing all the exercises correctly and safely. 

We hope this series has been useful. If you have other questions please let us know, we may even start Part 3!

Dispelling Some Myths and Misconceptions

The longer we spend in this industry the more we hear the same confusion about personal trainers in general and our studio in particular over and over again. So, we will aim to answer a few of those things. Here is Part 1, part 2 will follow next week!

Myth #1: All personal trainers are the same

Many personal trainers use their business as an extension of their own workout routine. So, the client does the same exercises as the trainer. This is not appropriate for most people and is not true personal training. The entire concept of personal training is that it is designed around the needs and goals of the individual, not the trainer.

We have been in the health and fitness industry for over a decade and during this time we have accumulated a wide array of experience and qualification. On all of our exercise clients we perform a postural and biomechanical assessment that can take anything from an hour to 3 hours. We do this to identify exactly which is the best approach for your body.

We only perform functional exercise with our clients and there is a reason for each exercise. We take a scientific approach so that you get the best results in the least amount of time.


Myth #2: You need to be fit to see a personal trainer



We are delighted to work with everyone from the couch potato to the pro athlete.

We have been in the fitness industry for over a decade and we have lots of experience dealing with clients from all walks of life, at all stages of life. If you would like help or advice on how you can get fitter and healthier, whether it is for a specific sport or to enjoy life more.


Myth #3: I don’t have time to see a trainer


The truth is you don’t have time to waste doing an ineffective training program. If you are serious about wanting to achieve your health and fitness goals a personal trainer can help you achieve them in less time spent training every week than you could manage by yourself. Your programs can be flexible so you choose where and when you work out, making it easy to fit around your life. In reality, if you are short of time you can’t afford not to see a personal trainer!


Myth #4: It makes sense to train go and see a trainer with my friend and split the cost


If you are sharing a session with your friend then you are not receiving personal training. This may be OK if you are going for the social aspect or you just want a calorie dump without addressing any of your other fitness goals and are not worried about getting injured, but you will not be reaching your potential if you do the same training program as someone else. We all have different bodies, different exercise histories and different goals. If you are sharing a session you are not getting the most benefit from it.

Myth #5: You need to do all of your training in the gym with you


The more often you train with us the better we are able to direct your training to ensure you are using the correct technique and intensity to get the maximum benefit. But we understand that financially or due to time constraints it is not always possible for people to do all their training with us. If you need to do some of your training at home or in your local gym we can design you a program that you will be able to do with whatever resources you have available, so you can continue the good work between seeing us.

Clients often achieve more from coming to us to get a program designed that they can do at their own gym or in their own home, giving them the right exercise program to follow and make the right gains but be completely flexible and fit around their life.