Personal Training & Fitness FAQ's

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about personal training and fitness.

I’m not very active and haven’t done any exercise in years. Is it safe for me to start now?

Providing you do not have any injuries and have not been advised by a medical professional to not exercise, yes it is safe to start now. If you have not exercised in a long time, it is best to begin by building up your fitness levels slowly by introducing some light cardiovascular activity into your weekly routine, such as walking, cycling or swimming. It is important to build up a base level of fitness before attempting to undertake in any high intensity activities or training to avoid injuries.

I have an injury can I still exercise?

It is still possible to train with an injury, but we always recommend that you seek medical advice before undertaking a new exercise regime. This is where personal training can be really beneficial. Sessions can be designed around your injury, providing rehabilitation as well as training you to your full potential.

What are the benefits of working with a personal trainer?

How often have you decided to renew that gym membership or try a new class and struggled to stick with it? Wanted to try a new workout but are unsure if you are getting it right? Having the chance to work one on one with a trainer will get you results, you will be supported, motivated and pushed to your full potential. Focusing solely on your goals, your trainer will create a bespoke training plan for you to make sure you get to where you want to be, your progress will be monitored and throughout every exercise, posture will be checked and corrected when necessary to prevent any injury. A personal trainer will show you the best ways to fuel your body to achieve your individual goals as well as building up your confidence and increasing your knowledge of exercise.

Will I need my own exercise equipment?

We will bring all the necessary equipment needed for your training session all you will need is a towel, some water and comfortable training attire.

Where are personal training sessions held?

Personal training sessions can be held at your home, place of work, or even an outside location of your choice.

How long are personal training sessions?

Sessions vary depending on your individual needs but personal training sessions are usually 60mins in duration.

What’s the best abdominal exercise to get rid of body fat?

Unfortunately you cannot spot train an area of body fat to remove it, best results will be achieved through good nutrition and working your whole body when exercising. Over training your abdominals could result in injury or lower back pain as well as postural problems down the line. Mix things up, High-intensity cardiovascular activity and strength training is one of the most effective ways to rid your body of belly fat.

I'm a woman, will lifting weights make me bulky and too big?

Although some women will find it easier to gain muscle quicker than others, this is usually down to genetics, women do not have the same levels of testosterone as men, by lifting weights you will increase lean muscle mass which in turn will actually help decrease body fat. Increasing lean muscle mass will help speed up your metabolic rate as sustaining lean muscle requires more energy.

There are many benefits to lifting weights and introducing resistance training to your workouts, as well as increasing strength and shaping your body it will also increase bone density reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Can I still train if I’m pregnant?

It is ok to continue with your exercise for as long as you feel comfortable,

The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to the changes and stresses put on your body. It will also help you to cope with Labour and to get back into shape after the birth. Exercise is not dangerous for your baby and by staying active you are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour. If you weren't active before you got pregnant, it is not advisable to suddenly take up strenuous exercise.

I’m trying to lose weight should I avoid carbs?

The simple answer to that is, no, you shouldn’t. Carbohydrates are our body’s main source of fuel. When looking to lose weight, it is imperative to have a well balanced diet to ensure the right levels of macronutrients are consumed. When we cut our energy intake to an extreme, the only thing we achieve is in fact putting our body into starvation mode, therefore negating any weight loss goal as our body will begin to store what we consume as body fat as it is not getting enough energy from daily consumption. You should be looking to get around 50% of your daily energy intake from carbohydrates.

When is the best time to eat before and after exercise?

Eating 2 hours before exercise is ideal, it has allowed time for digestion and for the glycogen stores in your muscles to be replenished so as to provide energy throughout your workout, after completing exercise, you should aim to consume around 50g of carbohydrates within 30 minutes and then a further 50g of carbohydrates two hours after that, it is important to replenish and refuel your body to ensure that you are sustaining lean muscle and burning body fat.

Should I take a protein supplement after training?

This is very much dependent on you as an individual and your training goals.

It is not necessary to consume a protein supplement after training if you are going to be having a meal that has a balance of carbohydrates and proteins within an hour of completing exercise, however, this is not always an option, so at times it may be preferable, to assist in the goal that you have, to consume some form of protein supplement. However, be advised that you must pay careful consideration to the supplements you chose and note that by law, not all ingredients need to be listed on supplements, so be wise in your choices and do not replace real food with supplements. It is possible to achieve the right levels of protein consumption through a well balanced diet and not always necessary to take supplements, at times this may cause you to in fact be consuming too much protein, which your body cannot store so is simply lost through waste.

How important is it to eat breakfast?

There is a reason that it is called the most important meal of the day, so try not to skip it! There is a world of choice out there when it comes to breakfast, so experiment with what works for you and for your lifestyle.

Every time we move, we are asking our body to use energy, we get that from food, if you don’t start the day off by fuelling your body, it will not function to its full capability. You will feel fatigued, it will take you longer to reach training goals and to see weight loss results.

Aim to eat within one hour of waking, try and pick a slow release carbohydrate based breakfast to replenish your glycogen stores and provide your body with the best energy to begin your day.