This article is intended to serve as a guide to explain to you how personal training works. It answers some of the most common questions (FAQ) about working with a personal trainer, either in Nashville or online.
Before personal training or nutrition coaching begins
Before you have your first meeting with your personal trainer or nutrition coach, we need to have some important background information about you. You and our personal training director Dan DeFigio will should have a phone call to discuss:
- Your goals
- Your current physical condition, including any medical or orthopedic issues
- Your exercise and nutrition history, and current practices, if any.
- Your schedule and your budget
- Your location – where is most convenient for you?
- What kinds of things you like and dislike
After we have this initial conversation, we should have a good feel for who would be best for you. One of the things we get a lot of compliments on is getting our clients set up with just the right trainer!
You’ll be emailed a short paperwork packet to fill out. It contains information about your health history and current situation, cancellation policy, liability waiver, and a bring-a-friend card. You can either fill out the paperwork electronically and email it back, or print it out and bring it with you to your first appointment.
Scheduling your first meeting with your trainer
All our coaches keep their own schedules. After you and Dan have your initial conversation, your trainer will reach out directly to you for scheduling.
What to expect during your first personal training session
After a lesson or two, your coach will have a good sense of what kind of system, schedule, and level of difficulty will be best for you. Your first session usually involves a strategy talk, a review of your history and your current goals, and a simple movement assessment so we can see how your body moves. Nothing too tough on the first day! (usually LOL)
Your training schedule
The whole concept of personal training is to design and implement a fitness program that is perfect for YOU specifically. Same goes for nutrition coaching. We don’t deliver cookie-cutter programs — everything is customized to your specific needs and abilities.
After you have a couple sessions with your personal trainer or nutrition coach, the two of you together will know what kind of schedule makes sense for you. Some folks like to work out with their trainer multiple times per week to maximize their results and effort. Some people prefer to come once a week for instruction, and do some on their own. It’s also possible to have a few lessons to get a customized program put together for you, which you take and run with for 2-3 weeks until it’s time for a tune-up or upgrade.
We don’t have any contracts or packages, so there’s nothing to “sign up” for. Your exercise schedule is ultimately up to you. We can arrange your personal training sessions any way you like, based on what would be best for you and your own availability and preferences.
Where do I work out?
We train our clients in several places and ways:
- In-person at one of several private training studios (not a gym that has an open membership)
- In your home (an in-home personal trainer)
- Online sessions via zoom or FaceTime
- Or sometimes a combination
We don’t own our own gym. We use other people’s facilities so we can concentrate on YOU!
Your trainer will send you directions and parking instructions before your first session so you know exactly where to go.
How much does personal training cost?
We have a diverse staff to accommodate the needs of a wide variety of clients. Personal training fees range from $35 to $125 per session. The exact hourly cost depends on:
- Who you are working with
- Where you are doing your workouts (in a gym, at home, online)
- Whether you book a 30 or 60-minute session
After you and Dan decide who your coach will be, he’ll be able to give you an exact price.
We do not require any packages or contracts; you can just pay as you go. Most people pay us with Venmo (@BasicsAndBeyond) or Zelle, but we also accept cash or checks payable to “Basics and Beyond”.
What should I wear to my first training session?
Bring or wear some kind of comfortable exercise clothing so we can do a good movement assessment. We have changing rooms available on site. You can bring a water bottle if you wish, but we do have water fountains and towels available. Bring a little notebook too, if you prefer that to taking notes on your phone.
Communications
It’s best to communicate directly with your trainer about your schedule or anything specific regarding your workouts. But you’re always welcome to reach out to our director to discuss anything else. Please don’t call the workout facilities, we don’t work for them and they don’t know our schedules.
You’ll also get regular email updates with life-changing tips and motivations. Plus you won’t miss anything!
We also invite you to connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn.
Still have questions?
Feel free to contact us any time if you have any more questions or concerns.
About the Director
Dan DeFigio is a well-known fitness and nutrition expert who has been featured on CNN’s Fit Nation, The Dr. Phil Show, SELF Magazine, Readers Digest, MyFitnessPal, Shape Magazine, and a host of other media outlets. Dan is the author of Beating Sugar Addiction For Dummies, and the founder of BeatingSugarAddiction.com.
After 30 years of success in this field, this is the kind of guy you want leading your fitness and nutrition team!