1. It costs too much

• Semi-Private Training - With this option, you may train with around 2-5 people in a very small group setting, often in a circuit training format.
• Small Group Training - This option is often a bootcamp-style class with a limited number of exercisers and either a flat fee for a series of classes or a fee for individual classes.
• Workout With a Friend - You can also save money by working out with a friend or family member.Keep in mind that this works best if you both have similar experience and fitness levels.
• Negotiate with your trainer - Not all trainers are willing to do this, but it's worth asking if they will negotiate their fees or even trade services.

2. I'm too overweight and/or out of shape

• What if I can't do the exercises? - Remember that we aren't all automatically good at exercise.You need time to reconnect to your body in a physical way and that means you may not do all the exercises right.There may be some you can't do at all...at least, not yet.Give yourself time to learn the exercises before getting discouraged.
• What if I can't make it through a workout? - Your trainer's job is create workouts that match not just your goals, but what your body can handle.Trainers do their best, but we don't have ESP.Your trainer should check in with you throughout the workout but, if something feels too challenging, say so.Your trainer needs that information to know when to push and when to back off.
• What if my trainer sees what a fat, lazy slob I really am? - When you meet with a trainer, you have to answer tough questions about your exercise and eating habits, revealing things even your closest friends or family members may not know.You may feel vulnerable revealing those secrets to someone else, but your trainer isn't there to judge you."Fat, lazy slob" isn't even crossing his mind...He's too busy thinking about what he's going to do to help you reach your goals.

• You're stronger than you think you are
• You know more than you think you do
• It gets easier with time and practice

3. I don't know what to expect

• Do your research - Before you hire any old trainer, ask around and get recommendations from friends, if you can.You can also use free websites like IDEA Fitness Connect to find trainers in your area that have been vetted and, often, reviewed.
• Express your fears and ask questions - You can often get instant reassurance by doing what my client did - talk about what you're afraid of.Make a list of questions to ask before meeting with a trainer - What should you wear?What will you do during the first session?Should you bring your own water or towel?How hard will you work?
• Look for warning flags - Pay attention to any alarm bells that go off during your first meeting.Did he gloss over important facts about your health history or fail to ask anything at all?Did she say her favorite part of a workout is when her client pukes at the end?Not all warning flags are that obvious, but follow your gut and move on if you're uncomfortable for any reason.

4. I'm afraid it will hurt

• Burning muscles - It's normal to feel some burning in your muscles, especially if you're a beginner or if you're doing high intensity or high repetition exercises.The burning comes from lactic acid building up as your muscles become fatigued. This is uncomfortable, but it will pass and may become less of a problem as you get stronger.
• The Jello Effect - This is when your body becomes fatigued during an exercise and, as a result, may wobble in an alarming way, much like Jello.This should pass with a rest period, but tell your trainer if you feel very weak and/or unstable.You may need more recovery time.
• Muscles you've never felt before - Your body has more than 650 muscles.You won't work all of them during one workout, but you may feel like you have. It's normal to feel an exercise everywhere, even in unrelated body parts (e.g., "I think I felt that pushup in my left earlobe.")As you build strength in the weaker areas of your body, this will be less of an issue.
• Stiffness and soreness - Any new activity can cause soreness, usually within 24-48 hours of your workout. Some soreness is normal and you may find that an anti-inflammatory, a hot bath or a massage can help.However, if you can't brush your hair/walk down the stairs/breathe without pain, you overdid it.Tell your trainer if you experience excessive soreness so he can scale back on your workouts a bit.

5. I'm afraid of an injury

• Get a check up - This is something your trainer may require, if you have medical issues, but it may be something you want to do on your own if you're worried about aggravating an old injury. Talk to your doctor about any exercises you should or shouldn't do and pass that along to your trainer.
• Be Honest - As you're filling out your health history form, which should happen before you start exercising, list any past or current injuries, surgeries, conditions or illnesses.Tell your trainer about any pain you have, any movements that bother you or any exercises that have caused problems in the past.
• Give regular feedback - Complaining is probably the most fun you'll have during your workout session and you can make it even more useful by being specific.For example, "I hate this exercise," isn't quite as helpful as, "I hate this exercise because it really bothers my right shoulder."Also, be prepared to answer questions throughout the workout -How an exercise feels, if a weight is too easy or too hard, where you're feeling the exercise, etc.
• Be your own advocate -If anything feels wrong during an exercise, stop. Injuries often happen when you work through pain rather than stopping.Some clients are shy about speaking up, often thinking:"Well, he wouldn't have given me this exercise if he didn't think I could do it, right?"As brilliant as your trainer may be, he can't anticipate everything.

6. I have Trainer Trauma

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or trusted websites like IDEA FitnessConnect
• Ask for references - Ask your trainer if you can contact current or previous clients to get the real story
• Look for experience and education - Make sure your trainer has experience training a wide variety of clients and dealing with any injuries or conditions you may have.He should also have an accredited personal training certification.That doesn't guarantee he won't suck, but it does mean he went through an education and testing process.
• Be specific about what you want - When you do meet with your new trainer, tell him about your previous experience with Bad Trainer - What went wrong?What do you want to be different?What do you expect from your new trainer?How could Good Trainer make it up to you?

7. I'm afraid of failing

8. I'm afraid of committing

• Money - You may pay $35-$100 an hour to work with a trainer and that's a big investment. Spend some time looking at your budget and figuring out how much you can spend on personal training before signing up.
• Time - You have your appointment time to deal with, but you also have prep time, drive time and time to workout during the rest of the week.Before you hire a trainer, sketch out an estimate of how much time you'll need for each session and make a list of days and times that fit into your schedule.
• Trust - You're trusting this person with your body, your time and your goals. You should feel comfortable putting your trust in that trainer from the very first session.If he doesn't put you at ease or she doesn't seem to understand what you want, don't be afraid to go elsewhere.
• Your lifestyle - You're not just committing to an hour of exercise when you sign up for training, but other aspects of your life as well:Your diet, how you spend your time, how active you are, how you sleep, how you deal with stress, etc.An hour with a trainer will get you nowhere if you don't change anything else.Make sure you're really ready to change before making the commitment.

9. I'm afraid of looking like an idiot

• What if I fart? You certainly could and, frankly, it isn't that uncommon.The best way to deal with it is to laugh it off, saying something like, "I guess I picked the wrong day to eat a can of beans for lunch."
• Do I stink? - Maybe.But your trainer has inhaled so much body odor, she probably doesn't even smell it anymore.And, she'd much rather smell good old BO than, say, heavy doses of cologne or perfume.Some spices like garlic or curry can make your sweat more pungent, so you might avoid those before a workout if you're worried about it.
• Am I sweating too much? - No. Clients often feel embarrassed when they leave a big pool of sweat on the weight bench.Your trainer is actually quite pleased when you sweat.It means that your body is doing what it's supposed to:Regulating your body temperature.Go forth and sweat...just bring a towel.
• Am I really this uncoordinated? - No, you're not.You may be quite graceful in real life but, when faced with an exercise that involves your limbs going in different directions, you suddenly feel like an idiot.Many exercises feel awkward at first, exposing the fact that you aren't perfect and that we all have to practice new things before we get them right.Having patience, an open mind and a sense of humor will go a long way towards easing your self-consciousness.

10. I'm afraid I won't like my trainer

• Gender - If you have a preference for whether you want to work with a male or female, speak up right away.
• Personality - Think about the kind of trainer you want to work with and look for those qualities during your first meeting.For example, if you'd prefer someone who's quietly encouraging, you may not like a trainer with a more aggressive personality.
• Training style - While most trainers will adapt to what you want and need, every trainer approaches exercise differently and his style may not always fit your needs.For example, if you want new, creative workouts using a variety of equipment, make that clear from the beginning so the trainer doesn't stick you on the same old machines.Giving your trainer some guidance may save you, and the trainer, from a bad experience.