Plus, its always nice to be nice and make things easier for your instructors.

Weasked several fitness professionals what they wish their clients knewgoing in and this is what they said.

So many people dont know what theyre doing, and they have no idea this is the case.

Others know enough to see decent progress, but they could be doing better.

A personal trainer can at least jump start a beginners knowledge and give them resources to move forward.

Gym-goers waste a lot of time with bad advice and poor sources, or trying to reinvent the wheel.

If anyone knows your journey isnt easy its your trainer, and they didnt become one overnight.

So leave the excuses in your bed.

Positive and inspirational energy is the key.

Another anonymous instructor agreed, saying:

Dont blame your lack of success on me.

You meet with me once a week for 1 hour a week.

There are 168 hours in a week.

YouTube is full of BAD info.

But several fitness pros cautioned that you should do in-depth research on certain trainers before signing up with them.

There are many certified trainers who have little business instructing others.

Some do the bare minimum to pass the test, and then dont further their education beyond that.

Other trainers have a passion for this and they read a ton.

Its important for potential clients to know what to look for in a trainer.

Some are very good and knowledgeable, others spread misinformation and taint the industry.

Allison Perry seconds those words of caution:

Good, knowledgeable fitness instructors are hard to find.

A lot of gyms dont even require an audition, or the audition process is a joke.

Do some investigating for yourself and find out what qualifications the gyms instructors have.

AFAA and ACE also require ongoing continuing education to make it remain current in the certification.

However, she goes on to say that a lot of popular specialty fitness certifications are a joke.

Does the instructor seem organized?

Does the music work with the format?

Are you getting enough cues?

If you try a class and didnt care for it, consider giving it a go with another instructor.

They may have a different personality, music, cues, etc that change the game for you.

Youre probably better off with someone who is knowledgable and has gone through the same struggles as you.

Good trainers have a plan, and showing up 15 minutes late can throw a wrench into that.

Or, at least let us know youre going to be late.

Nothing like a client showing up late and then expecting an hour session crammed into 45 minutes.

There is a method to the madness and it doesnt work like that.

Youre wasting your own time, money and progress.

We want to repeat the things to you that will manifest successful thinking.

Budget plenty of travel time, leave early, and be ready to roll come training time.

I dont mean that they should have a towel, a trendy water bottle, and some yoga pants.

People tell me its hard, they are telling me like this is news.

Of course its hard, I have to do this every single day, I know its hard.

Id estimate that it takes five to ten times more work to get a result than people think.

When it doesnt they start to lose hope in the whole process.

People can be very fragile when it comes to discomfort, especially when it comes to food and exercise.

Biernat recommends you lower your expectations going in and learn to enjoy the process and the challenge.

If you make yourself hate your new workout regimen and diet, you wont do it.

Stay positive, but keep your goals realistic.

Dont walk up to your trainer on day one and tell them you want washboard abs.

Youll only be disappointed.

They know things that you dont, so let them do their thing.

Also, be aware that personal training is more than just showing up and watching you exercise.

Trust the process youll be happy you did.

Lastly, Allison Perry says if you enjoyed a class or session, let your trainer or instructor know.

Being a fitness professional is often a thankless job because people assume its easy to do.

Its my job to be critical and change your perception of your life when it comes to your health.

Trainers dont wake up to be mean to you.

Were actually Nice people who arent afraid to speak truthfully about your progress.

Its also important to be upfront with trainers about what youre comfortable with.

If you prefer to have them not manually adjust you while you exercise, let them know.

When in doubt, be honest and talk to them.

One anonymous trainer simply said:

WASH YOUR GYM CLOTHES!!!

For all of us.