What to expect at your first personal training session

The first session is usually the part people are most nervous about. Most of that nervousness comes from not knowing what's going to happen. Here's exactly what to expect at a Tip Top Fitness intro session — and at any decent trainer's intro, for that matter.

Before you show up

Wear what you'd wear to a regular workout — comfortable, breathable, sneakers you can move in. Eat something light an hour or two beforehand (think banana + toast, not a steak). Bring water. That's it. You don't need new gym clothes, fancy shoes, or any equipment. If we're meeting at your home, just clear a space about 6x8 feet and we're good.

The first 10 minutes

We talk. Goals, history, any injuries or surgeries, what you've tried before, what worked, what didn't. I take notes. This is the most important part — if a trainer skips this and goes straight to making you sweat, that's a red flag.

The next 15 minutes — movement assessment

I'll have you do a handful of basic movements: a bodyweight squat, a hip hinge, an arm raise, maybe a single-leg balance. Nothing hard. This shows me how your body moves right now — where it's stiff, where it's strong, where compensation patterns might be hiding. This is also how I figure out what to program for you safely.

The next 30 minutes — actual training

We do a real, scaled-to-you workout. Maybe 5-6 exercises, full body, mostly basic movements. The point isn't to crush you — it's to give you a real sense of what training with me feels like. You should leave feeling like you worked, but not destroyed.

The last 5 minutes — the honest recommendation

I'll tell you what I think you should do next. Sometimes that's 'let's start with a 10-session pack and see how it goes.' Sometimes it's 'you really need to see a physical therapist for that shoulder first, here are two I trust.' Sometimes it's 'I'm not the right trainer for what you need — try this person instead.' No pressure to sign up that day.

What if I'm really out of shape?

Most of my intro-session bookings are first-timers who haven't worked out in years. You're not going to embarrass yourself — I literally do this all day. The session is scaled to whatever your body can handle right now, not to some standard you're supposed to meet.

Book a half-price intro session at $60 (one full hour) by calling or texting (805) 364-2623.