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!
31 Comments
Great Post! I’ve been thinking about getting a personal trainer for quite some time. I’ve only been working out for about a year but I know that I have a lot to learn. I’m glad that you had such a great experience and you are no longer injuring yourself. And yes, every husband should take their wife’s advice…LOL.
Hi Shawn. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to hire a personal trainer, as I really needed the personal instruction. And yes, I do take my wife’s advice!
-Mario
I really need to get back into working out
That’s really great that you kept it up and improved. I was looking into getting a personal trainer
Hi Chrishon. My personal trainer really knew how to push and motivate me. I highly recommend a personal trainer.
Thanks for reading our blog.
-Mario
I had a personal trainer once for a few months when I first started working out as I had no idea what to do. She was alright, she got me doing weight training as well which to this day I am not a fan of but that’s okay, I do yoga now and I love it! I am so glad you had an awesome experience with yours and that she was able to help you out so much with form and technique. It is very important to not injure ourselves while working out!
Hi Danielle. I’m so glad you do yoga and love it! I need to get back to doing some yoga.
Thank you for your comments.
-Mario
Cool! I’m not a weightlifter, but I do implement some weights while walking.
That’s still great! Weightlifting isn’t everyone’s fave 🙂
As a personal trainer, I can applaud this!!! Too many people in the gym use incorrect form when lifting or exercising, and they will definitely pay for it down the road when they are older, if they don’t end up hurting themselves right away. Plus there are different types of learning styles, and not everyone learns best by watching an instructor. Even if you only hire a trainer for a short period of time, it’s essential to learn proper technique and training tips. Great post.
Great info! And I’m so intrigued: What is the “World’s Greatest Stretch?!”
So awesome for you to get back on track injury-free! I’m so envious!
Great information in your post! I loved working out with a trainer the few times I was fortunate enough to!
Correct technique certainly is key! A good personal trainer is worth every penny!
As a personal trainer, this post makes my heart happy. I’m so glad you were able to find a trainer you liked, respected, and one who could help you. Yay!
What a great reminder… The things that used to work and give us quick results in our 20s are not the same things that will work and give us quick results in our 40s. What a great idea to use a personal trainer!
What is the “World’s Greatest Stretch”?!
Personal trainers can be so helpful when trying to aim for new goals or get over a hump!
Great job! I wish I can do weight lifting, I can’t barely lift my 5 years old up now, lol. I am wondering also what is “World’s Greatest Stretch?!
I’ve had moments in my life when I’ve been able to work with a personal trainer and, yes, I can absolutely say that my workouts and my level of fitness were so much better!
Oh, was this ever motivating. Time to get back out there and get myself in better shape!
Looks like you found the right personal trainer! It also helps with motivation to have a trainer.
I have to keep reminding myself that gaining muscle = gaining weight and that gaining weight is not always bad!
Having someone you are accountable to makes all the difference. Especially working out!
Great job! Thanks for sharing!
A personal trainer sounds great! I’d love to have someone check my form. I should look into this!
Love the insights into weight training — so important as we age too. Especially noted the tightening your core advice. And who can argue with recovery time? Excellent post.
When I first began my fitness journey I had no clue how to do a proper squat. I was hurting every time and couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, I wasn’t engaging my core! haha! It’s crazy the progress you can make with correct form.
You are a humble guy with a great wife. 😉 I need to get in shape too… 😛
It really is important to have somebody right there while you’re lifting and correct your form. It’s amazing how much great form can boost your lifting numbers.
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