The Best Thing I've Done to Improve My Workouts

Posted by Mario

I’ve been lifting weight since I was 14 years old as a freshman in high school on the football team. The coached gathered everyone around and demonstrated the techniques. Then we broke into groups and started lifting weights on our own. That was my introduction to weight lifting and I haven’t stopped.

But what was working for me in my 2o’s and 30’s stopped being effective as I got older. That’s also when I started getting hurt. First it was my tricep, then my back, and then my shoulder. I’d take time off and get back to my old routine…until I re-injured myself.

Then 2 years ago, my wife Gail hired a personal trainer for power lifting. I noticed that the techniques and exercises she were doing were nothing like what I was doing. She was also making really good gains, getting fit, winning competitions, and was Wonder Woman strong!

Gail hitting the heavy weights!

I talked to Gail and she recommended I sign up for personal training. I had never had personal training and wasn’t sure how it’d help me. But after taking some time to reflect, I knew deep down that I needed to change my routine.

I contacted the same company Gail went to, EXOS, and they recommended a trainer named Michelle. She asked me what my goals were and I told her I wanted to stop getting injured while lifting weights.

On my first day she had me run through a myriad of exercises to watch my form. She wanted to know my weak areas so she could design workouts tailored to my goals. I knew after the introductory session that Michelle was the right choice as my coach. She listened, was extremely knowledgeable, and seemed to really want to help me achieve my goals.

We started with the basics, lifting with little to no weights. Michelle let me know what I was doing wrong, which was pretty much everything! And that was exactly what I needed to hear. This became an ongoing joke as I told her I realized I had over 25 years of poor lifting technique and it would take time to break those habits.

Very slowly but surely I progressed to heavier weights and much harder workouts. Each time I exercised, Michelle was there to make sure I did it properly. She wouldn’t let me move up in weight until I executed the form properly on every rep.

Michelle in action!

I was surprised at how much I didn’t know, such as activating my core as I lifted. I learned to do the “World’s Greatest Stretch” before every workout and still do it today. There were also new exercises, techniques, and equipment besides free weights. I also learned about recovery, which I never did before and how important it is for your body.

As I started to lift weights properly, I rediscovered how much I enjoyed it. I also updated my goal to gain 5 lbs. of muscle. With my new goal in mind Michelle recommended I go to the EXOS nutritionist to help fuel my upcoming workouts. With the nutritionist’s food plan, I was able to achieve my goal!

Signing up for a personal trainer was exactly what I needed. The whole 18 month experience opened my eyes to how far the fitness industry has come & how far I needed to go. I’m glad I took my wife’s advice (which every husband should do, of course). I can now lift weights confidently without getting hurt and take better care of my body post-workout. I may not have gotten as strong as a superhero, but that’s ok. The real heroes are Michelle and EXOS as I couldn’t have achieved my goals without their help.

If you’re looking for personal training, please feel free to contact Michelle at mrogerson@teamexos.com and let her know that I sent ya!