frequently asked
Is a personal trainer worth the money?
It really depends on the personal trainer. Some are worth the money and more. Others not so much. Generally speaking, as a blanket assessment - personal trainers are worth the money as they have an area of expertise in something that you want help in and they can guide your workouts and increase your knowledge base, motivate you and keep you accountable, helping you realize your fitness dreams. It’s a little like a hairdresser. Yes, you can cut your own hair (and some of you would be very good at it) but you can also see the value in the experience of a really good hair dresser. It’s the same thing when it comes to having a personal trainer. It’s also just really nice and reassuring to have someone whose sole job is to be very concerned with your fitness, strength and conditioning. And please refrain from using a personal trainer who does not make you feel that way.
How does online personal training work?
Like everything, online personal training varies from person to person, but generally you would meet with a personal trainer through a video chat. The cameras on both ends would be set up in such a way that you could see each other's body head to toe. The personal trainer would demonstrate the movements you would do and you would then do the movements with the trainer watching and giving further direction. Really in many ways it is a lot like a regular in person session with fitness, strength and conditioning goals still very achievable. The best part is you don’t even need to be in the same city (in this case Toronto). You could be anywhere in the world.
How much does a personal trainer cost?
The average cost of a personal trainer in Canada is between $80.00 - 125.00 per hour. Personal trainers vary greatly in experience and knowledge and their rates should reflect that.
How long should you have a personal trainer?
It really depends on what your goals are and how long it could take to achieve them. Working with a personal trainer becomes a very individualized process the longer you go. So, one answer would be "as long as it takes you to achieve your fitness, strength and conditioning goals and maybe a little bit longer". This could be as little as a few months up to a few years, depending. for most people it is probably safe to assume that a solid year with a personal trainer would see an immense amount of benefit and life-long change.
How to get a personal trainer for cheap?
If you have some experience, an online class option with a qualified personal trainer could be perfect for you. Getting some technique assessment and suggestions with differing routines and the motivation that comes from being in (virtual) class with others. There are numerous options these days. Some personal trainers (like us) offer sliding scale options as well so it never hurts to ask. As well, some personal trainers offer discounts if you buy a pack of sessions all at once.
How to find the right personal trainer for you?
Vibe says a lot. Checking out websites of personal trainers and seeing what feels good and what resonates with you and then, if the option is available, taking a phone or video call to see if you click could be a great way to find what you are looking for. Within the time of the phone call and / or the first few sessions you should be able to figure out if that personal trainer is right for you and will help you achieve your fitness goals in a way that feels good to you and your body. A lot of the time, it’s much like anything else - you and your body will probably know very quickly if a personal trainer is the right vibe - just listen and trust yourself.
Do I need a personal trainer to build muscle?
The short answer is no. In theory you can do a lot of research and learning, video tape your workouts to check your form and stay incredibly motivated all on your own. The thing about a personal trainer is that they do all of that work for you. They take their own learning and research and apply it to your unique case, watch that you are doing everything in a safe and effective way and go a long way to keeping you motivated and accountable. And it makes a big difference. Both in your body and in your head. You can do it on your own absolutely. You can do it faster, safer and more efficiently with an experienced and knowledgeable personal trainer.
Is online personal training effective?
Yes. There is nothing that can replace being face-to-face in real life but online personal training can still be exceptionally effective and still very much worth the time and money. An experienced personal trainer can still take you a long way to reaching your fitness goals online.
How can a personal trainer help me?
An effective and experienced personal trainer has years of knowledge building and experience, learning and research that they apply it to your unique case, building the program that is just right for you, precisely where you and your body are at. They can help you perfect your form so that you avoid injury and learn to use your body more effectively in and out of the gym. Personal trainers keep you accountable and motivated. You always work harder when your personal trainer is watching and that can make a big difference.
How much does a personal trainer cost in Toronto?
The average cost of a personal trainer in Toronto is between $80.00 – 125.00. Experience and knowledge should be relevant to what a personal trainer is charging, in Toronto or anywhere else.
How important is technique in exercise?
Technique is everything. One way to look at the function of strength training or exercise is that you are practicing movements that in one way or other you perform daily. In that, especially with the help of an experienced personal trainer, you are honing in on better and better technique through your workouts to support you in your day to day life. The techniques you learn in the gym (especially under the watchful eye of a personal trainer) can help you live a more robust life, with a body that can support you and anything you want to achieve. And all of that starts with technique.
Why is Queer personal training important?
Queer personal training is important because it gives Queer folks the option of training with someone who might understand their journey and needs more than someone who hasn’t experienced some of the same (common) issues and initiations that another Queer person has. There can be something of a shared experience and outlook. There are no hard and fast rules here and this certainly isn’t meant to put everyone in the same glittery basket - we are all unique in that way. In a sense I can only speak for myself here, as a Queer personal trainer in Toronto I make it a top priority to create a safe and welcoming space for my Queer pals - recognizing that places like gyms and people like personal trainers historically have not always been the most welcoming or affirming to Queer, Trans and Non-Binary folks. So it’s always been real important to me to make sure I can invite people who wouldn’t always feel comfortable in those kinds of spaces in and to help them recognize that they can take up all the space they want and that I have their back one hundred percent.
Is a personal trainer worth it?
For the longer answer to this, see my blogs but the short answer is yes, absolutely. You want to make sure the personal trainer you choose has some experience (or a very very solid knowledge base if they are new) and that they really care about technique, meeting you where you are at (no cookie-cutter programs) and that they are truly attentive. Again I will stress how important learning and ongoing learning are. If they seem bored: run. Ask as many questions as you want when you speak to a possible personal trainer and don’t be afraid to really check them out before making a decision. Finding the right personal trainer for you can be a game changer, so don’t take the process lightly.
Can you learn yoga on-line?
Yes. One hundred percent you can. There is something special and important about practicing yoga in person, with other people and a teacher present (and Toronto has a lovely in person studio scene) however you can still get A LOT from practicing with a qualified teacher online.
Can you lose weight doing yoga?
Intense yoga practices can certainly burn through a lot of calories and any kind of movement that creates some heat in the body is not unhelpful to losing weight. Generally though yoga would be a great addition to more cardio and strength intensive programs. It can loosen you up and help the body get through intense workouts and also be a great aid in helping your body recover from more intensive exercise.
How many calories does yoga burn?
It really depends on the intensity of the yoga practice and where your body is at so it would be pretty hard to quantify. A more light and chill yoga session would burn a few, but not a lot. An incredibly intense yoga practice would burn quite a lot more, potentially equal to a cardio or similar fitness session of the same length.
Does yoga make you fit?
Yes absolutely! Fitness can be pretty subjective but as part of a balanced fitness routine, yoga, with its capacity to increase ease in the body, mobility, flexibility and subtle aspects of strength it’s a great way to increase fitness on its own and an amazing compliment to other fitness, strength and conditioning modalities. Yoga in amazing for your body.
Is yoga good for you?
Without a doubt yoga is great for you and your body. Yoga has been used for thousands of years to bring calm and balance to the body and mind. And these days, with science as a guide for best practices we can really hone in on how to increase the effectiveness of these ancient traditions. A wonderful feeling of release and calm can come at the end of a yoga session. It can help you feel great in your body and more focused, grounded and capable.
How can yoga change your body?
In so many wonderful ways. Yoga can increase strength, flexibility, mobility and overall fitness. It can also go a long way in creating a better relationship to your body in general. We can learn to respond to our body with more compassion. It can also create a greater capacity for body awareness: how we are using our bodies in space, balance and overall neuromuscular capability.
How to start yoga?
You don't need much to get a solid yoga practice going. You need a clear space of about 6 feet by three feet. A yoga mat is nice but not essential and that is really about it. A strap or belt and some thick books or blocks can also be good, but again, aren't inherently necessary to begin your yoga journey. Finding a teacher or studio / organization that clicks with you can take a second and a bit of research but looking online and seeing what appeals to you and trying a couple of places and teachers out is a great way to get going and to find what suits you. Asking friends who they like for studios and teachers or watching some youtube videos could also be very helpful.
How should I clean a yoga mat?
There are many ways to clean a yoga mat. There are prefab mat cleaners on the market that are relatively inexpensive and do the trick, or you can use a tiny bit of dish soap dissolved in warm water or (my favorite) a nice selection of essential oils in water. Generally, you would spritz the mat using a spray bottle and then wipe down with a clean cloth at the end of practice.