Most personal trainers offer ‘support’, but what does that really mean? Too often, it’s reactive – waiting until you have a question or hit a problem before stepping in with guidance. I call this the ‘firefighting’ approach. But when it comes to your health and fitness, wouldn’t it make more sense to prevent issues before they arise?
Premium support isn’t about waiting for you to struggle; it’s about anticipating challenges before they happen. That starts from day one, during your consultation. A trainer who offers genuine support will take the time to deeply understand your habits, lifestyle, and potential blockers. They won’t just hand you a standardised plan – they’ll tailor their approach to ensure you’re set up for long-term success. It’s also about tailoring how they communicate with you, to get the best from you.
One key factor of great support? Quality over quantity. A trainer who takes on too many clients simply doesn’t have the bandwidth to provide this level of detail. Instead of spreading themselves thin, a premium trainer limits their client list so they can dedicate the time and attention needed to truly know you and your needs.
In reality, a lot of what you’re paying for with a personal training package is, or should be, the support. Real change sadly doesn’t happen from just one hour of training a week; that’s only 0.6% of your week… let that sink in! The support helps you navigate the other 99.4% – the moments when you’re making decisions about food, activity levels, and habits that determine your success. It’s during this time that a high level of support ensures you’re staying on track, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining discipline.
Many trainers provide cookie-cutter guidance, often directing clients to generic apps or pre-written advice. While there’s nothing wrong with self-education, true learning happens when information is researched for your situation. My approach focuses on structured learning – helping clients understand the ‘why’ behind certain training and nutrition choices, so they can make informed decisions that last a lifetime.
Rather than spending a significant chunk of my time creating generic content for the masses on social media, I channel my energy into crafting well-researched, personalised advice and resources for my clients. Every piece of advice I offer is based on their specific needs, struggles, and goals… not on fleeting trends.
Here’s how my hands-on, personalised approach makes a real difference:
- Navigating social situations: One client has a packed social calendar and eats out frequently. Instead of leaving them to guess, I help them plan ahead. We review restaurant menus together to find choices that align with their goals, still allowing them to enjoy their nights out.
- Problem solving nutrition struggles: A client increasing their protein intake for the first time found themselves feeling constipated. After reviewing their habits, we pinpointed a lack of fibre and hydration as the culprits. With a few small tweaks, the issue was resolved.
- Providing specially designed lessons, tools and activities: These ensure clients learn impactful, lifelong lessons so their success lasts way beyond our time working together.
- Refining form for better results: Another client was struggling with certain exercises. Because I tailor programmes and follow up consistently, I caught issues with their technique early. A small adjustment to their positioning led to an instant improvement in their lifts and eliminated discomfort.
- Adapting training for medical conditions: I take considerable time to research clients’ health conditions to ensure their training is safe and effective. For example, I wouldn’t train someone with arthritis in the knees the same way I would someone who is overweight but has no joint issues. Thoughtful modifications are essential.
- Going the extra mile to help a client succeed: A client mentioned they loved boxing, so I invested in boxing gear and learned from an expert, so I could incorporate it into their training. Not only does this make workouts more enjoyable, but it also ensures they’re getting effective cardio in a way that excites them.
The truth is, premium support isn’t just about answering questions, it’s about knowing you well enough to anticipate them. It’s about a level of care, attention, and expertise that generic plans and high-volume trainers simply can’t offer.
When you invest in high-quality personal training, you’re not just paying for workouts. You’re paying for a tailored, proactive, and educational experience that ensures lasting results. If that sounds like the kind of support you need, let’s talk about how I can help you achieve your goals.