Keith JonesNovember 29, 2015

A fitness coach or personal trainer can help you take your health, fitness and body to the next level. The best ones know their craft, look the part and put the goals of their client first. They ask questions to learn what you want to achieve, develop an action plan for success and create a partnership with you to get there.It is important that you are clear on your goals, commitment to achieve them and your timeframe. Your fitness coach will design a plan based on this information. He will share whether or not your timeframe is realistic or the effort you commit to is adequate to produce the results you want. Perhaps you need more time or will need to work harder to achieve success.

As partners, you both need to be fully committed to each other and prepared for each session. This means showing up rested, properly nourished with healthy choices and highly motivated to create something great together. Remember, this is a partnership so shift any thinking like, “the trainer works for me so I can do as much or as little depending on how I’m feeling.” And the trainer should be so invested in you that all exercises, nutritional suggestions and instruction contribute to your goal.

When I was interested in learning how to swim years ago, I began working with Anne Wilson of Scottsdale-based Camelback Coaching. It is by far one of the best coaching experiences I ever had. In addition to coming to her with an big goal, I brought 37 years of fear of water with me. I was terrified of water and the prospect of drowning. Our first session was a conversation where I shared my fears. And although she worked with champion swimmers at the highest levels, she made me feel like my goal was just as worthy as theirs. I told her that I wanted to do a triathlon in 18 months that included a mile ocean swim. Knowing that I would hyperventilate if I was in water above my knees, she designed a plan for me that included a weekly one hour session with her and 5 days of training on my own. I committed to the 6 days per week. Before leaving I told her one more thing. I said, “I have a possibility I want to share with you regarding this goal. ‘I create the possibility of being powerful in water.’ Anne, this means I will never miss a swim session. And in the event I play small during one of our sessions and allow fear to stop me, please remind me of this fear.” She agreed. Over the next 18 months, she was prepared for every lesson and I trained hard at every session. She encouraged me and gave me targeted instruction to help me get better each week. Each month she videotaped my progress. And I honored her investment in me by following her training plan on the five days per week that I trained alone. I ate healthy and slept seven hours each night. With a fear as big as mine, the last thing I needed was to get into the pool tired. Each morning I meditated and practiced visualization to help me with the fear of water. 18 months later I completed the one mile swim and triathlon. Together, our partnership produced results that continue to serve me today.

You and your fitness coach can achieve big things together if it’s a true partnership. Choose the right coach for you and be the right partner for your trainer. You both deserve each other’s best!

Keith