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Personal training in Austin, Texas and customized strength programs in Austin, Texas.

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Managing Client Expectations

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I recently contributed to a piece published on BecomeaPersonalTrainer.org called “40 Personal Trainers Reveal How to Manage Client Expectations.” 

The article contains a wealth of insight from many trainers and is a great read for both clients and trainers alike.

As a personal trainer, managing client expectations is key to setting them up for happiness and success.

You can read the whole article here. Spoiler alert! My advice is to encourage people to understand that the way to make a long-standing change, which is what people are truly seeking, is to make permanent changes rather than seeking a quick fix. 

Become a personal trainer.org

You’ll Be Proud With Progress

You might have a goal to gain 40 pounds of strength on your bench press, or to lose 30 pounds of fat. Both of these will require consistent work over a period of time, and you’ll be so proud and happy once you get there! 

Remember though, that you’ll be proud of yourself along the way. When you’ve worked hard and earned a 30 pound increase on your bench press, you’ll be happy! When you’re exercises and make good food choices, you’ll feel great when you’ve lost 10 pounds, and are on your way to losing 30. 

The bottom line that I want you to remember is that this is a process that requires consistency. You can do it!! You’ll be happy along the way!

Happiness, peace and personal pride are not reserved only for the end of the journey! 

Finding a Personal Trainer to Help on Your Journey

Are you looking for a personal trainer to help on your fitness and health journey? If so, I’d be honored to help you get started, or continue on toward your goals. You can find info about working 1:1 with me in person here, or online here. Please email me if you have questions or would like to do a consult. kathryn@kathrynalexander.com

Happy training! 

Related: What exercises are best for HIIT?

About the author

Kathryn Alexander is a strength coach and personal trainer in Austin, Texas. She loves hiking, college football, and the feel of a perfectly knurled barbell. Read more about Kathryn here.

What Are The Best Shoes to Lift In?

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What are the best shoes to lift in? There are so many options so let’s explore which are the best.

Have you ever wondered if you have the right gear for lifting? Ya know, the belt, the shoes, the gloves? The good news is, there’s usually not a “right” or “wrong”. (Except for gloves. Those are wrong.)

However, there is often a “better” and “best” option. Let’s look at shoes and the role they play in lifting.

Lifting is the Sum of Force Against Resistance

When you lift, you are exerting force, either against gravity, a cable, or some external resistance.

To do this effectively, you want to channel all of your energy in that direction. Basically, press the bar as hard as you can and don’t lose energy in other directions. Energy leaks make the movement less effective. Energy leaks can come from being loose in your set up, bracing incorrectly, or being sloppy throughout the movement. 

If you are squatting, the goal is to sum all of your force, from the ground up, into the bar. This is hard to do if you are on unstable ground, a cushy surface, or have loose, cushioned shoes.

 Imagine if you were trying to do a barbell squat on a mattress. That wouldn’t be good at all! You’d feel pretty quickly how having a flat, solid ground to press against is optimal. This includes everything under the soles of your feet, including shoes.

lifting in Uggs, not the best lifting shoes

The “Better” Option

Chuck Taylor shoes are a great lifting option, because they are flat, stable, easy to find, and not super expensive. You can find some specifically made lifting shoes with fancy options, and that might be your best bet if you are competing.

Lifting shoes can come with different height heels, which can be especially helpful in the squat.

But, Chucks are a great option for even the most recreational lifter. Please don’t squat in your Brooks or cushy running shoes anymore!

Why We Love Chuck Taylors for Weight Lifting

I talked with Amy Roberts about why Chucks can be a great lifting shoe, and she does a great job of giving much more detail here at wirecutter.com.

Check it out and let me know what you lift in! 

Why we love Chuck Taylors for weight lifting

Chuck Taylors as a weight lifting shoes

About the author

Kathryn Alexander is a strength coach and personal trainer in Austin, Texas. She loves hiking, college football, and the feel of a perfectly knurled barbell. Read more about Kathryn here.