I offer quality training programs and instruction in a private space, conveniently located in downtown Champaign. Click on the links below for answers to common questions regarding my training services.
If you're serious about improving your health and starting an exercise program, a trainer can save you from a lot of headaches and setbacks. The 3 biggest benefits to hiring a trainer are as follows;
- Exercise Technique - I'm a huge stickler for correct form while exercising. Using proper technique ensures that you're getting the most out of every exercise you do, and helps reduce the risk of injury. I feel like I'm witnessing a train wreck every time I walk into a public gym, just due to the amount of awful technique on display. Don't be one of the train wrecks!
- Programming - Simply put, this just means having a plan in place. You want to be sure that you are on a program that will actually get you to the goals you want to achieve. In addition, having a program that is suitable for your current level is also incredibly important for the long term. Doing a program that is too advanced may result in becoming discouraged by the difficulty or lack of results, and possibly injury. A program that is too easy will lead to much slower than wanted results. Not having a program at all will just lead to confusion and aimless workouts. Find a suitable plan, and stick to it.
- Accountability - This is a huge benefit for most people. Life is busy and hectic, and sometimes this means that exercise is the first thing to get dropped from someone's schedule. And some other times, you may just not feel like working out. Totally understandable, I've been there too! Unfortunately, what starts as maybe missing the occasional workout turns into missing weeks if not months at a time. This is not a great way to stay on track and keep progressing. Having someone to encourage you to keep going can prevent those long breaks and make sure you're adhering to the program.
My experience has shown that everyone should work with a trainer at least briefly when looking to start an exercise program. It's really just a matter of being assured you're starting off on the right foot so to speak. Speaking from personal experience, I went years without hiring anyone to actually coach my movements and exercise programs, and I suffered many setbacks as a result. Stagnation, terrible exercise selection, poor form (and the avoidable injuries that resulted from it), mental set backs, etc., are all things I went through because I jumped in without doing much research or without consulting a professional. I could have saved myself years of floundering if I had someone to at least point me in the right direction on occasion.
My training methods mostly focus on strength training. I think that strength training generally provides the most bang for your buck when compared to other methods. Expect to be doing lots of pressing, rows, pull-ups, squats, lunges, deadlifts, and other lifts like those. I don't expect everyone to be able to do all of these movements starting out, but the goal would be to eventually work towards being able to handle challenging weight in a safe manner using these movements.
Strength is something everyone needs at any age, and once you start seeing a difference in how much weight you're lifting or how many reps you're doing, you're going to want to continue and see more progress. It's also very easy to tell if the training is working, it's just a matter of tracking your weights, sets, and reps over time.
There's not really a good one-size-fits-all answer to this question. This really depends on a few factors such as experience, current fitness levels, goals, and budget. For optimal results, the more frequently, the better, especially if you're just starting out. The sooner you can hammer down the technique on the exercises I'm teaching you, the sooner you'll gain the confidence to go out and train on your own.
In terms of how long you should train with me, well that largely depends on your goals. If you're just needing direction and some technique adjustments, that may just take a week or so. If you've struggled with adherence to exercise programs in the past, and you're looking more for accountability, then you may want to train for much longer than that.
The best thing to do is talk to me and we can find a suitable schedule that fits your needs and budget.
For one-on-one training sessions, my rates are as follows;
- 45-minute training session -$45
- 60-minute training session - $60
I also offer partner training sessions, perfect if you have a friend that wants to join too!
- 45-minute partner session - $50
- 60-minute partner session - $65
I do not currently offer group training or classes.
I do not require any long-term contracts or anything of that nature in order to train with me. I typically recommend paying for 2-4 weeks worth of training at a time, but can be flexible on that.
If you're interested in working with me then we need to schedule a consultation. You can schedule that by clicking the schedule link at the top of the page, or by contacting me by filling out the contact form at the bottom of the page. Please include some general information about your goals and what you're looking for if you use the contact form.
The consultation typically takes about an hour and includes some general information gathering and a physical assessment. The assessment is used to get an idea for what your current fitness levels are and to develop a program based on that. The assessment is not meant to be horribly difficult, we just go over some basic movements so I can see how you move and how you respond to coaching. You will want to wear loose fitting clothing that does not hinder movement for the consultation.
I do require a deposit of $50 in order to schedule the consultation. I used to offer these for free, but had far too many clients simply not show up to their appointments and then vanish off the face of the Earth. The deposit shows that you're serious about starting and insures I get reimbursed for my time. After the consultation, the deposit can be put towards purchasing training sessions if you decide you want to work with me. If after the consultation, you don't feel we're a good fit, I will refund the deposit no questions asked. The key here is that you HAVE to show up to the consultation. If you no-show the consultation, or give me very short notice about needing to cancel, you lose the deposit and will be required to pay again in order to schedule another consultation. Please be respectful of me and my time.
I typically require a day's advance notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, otherwise you will most likely be charged for the missed session. I do understand that things can pop up last minute, so please communicate with me if you need to reschedule. No-showing an appointment with no notice will always result in being charged for the missed session.
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