Get Up and Get Moving: A Conversation with
Personal Trainer Amanda Kerr
Getting into a workout routine can be tough in the beginning, especially if you don’t know where to start. A personal trainer will help you find the “fire” and drive that will get you into the swing of things.
I became a trainer because I want everyone to see the potential they have and know they can succeed. I have been on the other side of the spectrum and know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin.
Two years ago I woke up and said enough is enough. I was overweight and very unhappy with myself. I decided that I needed to take care of myself, that I deserved better. My goal was to look the way I felt inside, and in the end I got so much more than that.
Not only is goal setting a key part to fitness, being comfortable using the equipment and not being intimidated by the gym will help you succeed. To give you a glimpse into what having a personal trainer is like I interviewed my client Rachael Albertson, who was brand new to training a few months ago.
Before you had a trainer what was your workout routine like? Before I started working out with a trainer I really had no “routine.” I was swimming occasionally, going to Zumba or yoga, and randomly hitting the elliptical and working on the gym machines.
A lot of us feel lost when it comes to working out. We get to the gym with all this fancy equipment and immediately feel defeated. Going to group classes is a great way to get your foot in the door. For me it was strictly the cardio equipment. I had no idea how to use any of the strength equipment except for what I had seen on TV. So when we start training I always introduce my clients to the basics. It is so much simpler than you may think! I love to put together programs that I know my clients will enjoy, giving them a great workout specific to their goal(s).
What made you seek out a personal trainer? The real driver was my wedding. I wanted to look great in my wedding dress. But even more than that, I was just not happy with how I was feeling – low energy, clothes not fitting, etc.
We often go through life thinking, “This is as good as it’s going to get.” I need you to push those negative thoughts to the side and replace them with positive affirmations. If we believe that we cannot improve, then we won’t. Rachael used her wedding to fuel her fire. This drove her to wake up every morning and get her workout in, knowing that on her wedding day she would look and feel the way she wanted. When I started my weight loss journey, my drive was being sick of feeling sorry for myself, tired of starting one day just to give up the next. Instead, I began waking up every morning believing in myself and what I could be capable of. I remember telling myself, ‘Come on, Amanda, it’s just one hour of exercise; take it one day at a time.’ That’s exactly what I did. I didn’t focus on yesterday or tomorrow, just the present.
What was your impression of personal trainers and how is that different now that you have been with one the past 3 months? My educational background is in health fitness and I was a certified aerobics instructor although I never pursued it formally. My sister is a personal trainer also and has worked in fitness centers. My impression has always been favorable, and now that I have been working with my trainer I have become more aware of the nuances of what they do; how motivating and inspiring their clients is such an important part of their job.
What have you gotten out of personal training? So far (and I am by no means to my ultimate goal!) I have been able to lose weight and inches, tone my upper body and build strength. I am also sleeping better and in a better mood.
Not only do you start to like what you see in the mirror, there are so many other changes you go through living a healthy life and exercising! You wake up with more energy, sleep better and are just in a better mood in general. I used to be a cashier and was in pain from being on my feet for hours. After a few months of working out I could stand all day and not complain about my back or feet hurting. I think we all assume these little aches and pains we get from daily life will never go away, but that is so not true. That’s why I like to remind clients that we don’t need to just set a goal for weight loss…. Let’s improve that lower back pain, those knees that hurt after taking the stairs. All of this may be improved with a strength and conditioning program.
Who would you recommend personal training to and why? I would recommend personal training to anyone who is looking to get healthy, build strength and have fun. Working with a trainer has been helpful because I know there is someone waiting for me each morning that is committed to helping me be successful.
I love that Rachael mentioned working out can be fun! I want you to wake up and be excited for your workout. Whether you just want to get into a routine that you can eventually do on your own or train with a different workout every session, I want to make sure you’ll leave feeling good about yourself and what we have accomplished. We all have to start somewhere and there is never a better time than today to begin.
What other benefits have you gotten out of personal training besides the physical aspect? It has also required consistency and dedication on my part. I have developed a better routine and am more ready to seize the day after my workout is done each morning.
I promise getting in a workout at the beginning or end of your day feels so rewarding. It really sets the tone, which leads to better decisions you make for yourself in the future. Don’t ever leave a workout feeling defeated because you thought you could have done better. Just the fact that you are taking action to improve your life is a huge step in the right direction.
After I had reached my goal, weight didn’t matter. During the process I changed into a better person. I now have more confidence and drive. Every aspect of my life changed. I started to want more for myself and my future. It was like I was seeing the world for the first time. My relationships with my family and friends grew stronger. I started to work %100 harder in school and everything I did. I saw my potential and went for it.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get a personal trainer? Just give it a shot. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of the equipment or the other people around you. Just do it for yourself and keep your eye on the end result.
“Just do it for yourself.” I couldn’t have said it any better. You deserve everything great that you can get out of life. I’ve realized that every cliché we have grown up hearing all our lives holds a key to happiness. We just need to take action.
Amanda Kerr NASM-CPT
(707) 731-7939,
