Beginner’s Guide to Personal Training: What to Expect from Your First Sessions
- msalt75
- Oct 23
- 7 min read
Author: Martin Salt, Personal Best
Starting your fitness journey with a personal trainer is a crucial and rewarding step towards a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle, especially for older adults or those seeking sustainable lifestyle changes designed to future-proof their bodies. Personal training provides tailored guidance, focused support and motivation to help you achieve your goals, whether it’s enhancing mobility, building strength, or improving overall well-being.
As a personal trainer in Sandhurst, Ascot and Fleet, specialising in working with older clients and lifestyle transformations, I offer a compassionate and supportive approach. I deliver sessions in a local gym, at your home, online, or through a flexible blend of these options to suit your needs. If you’re new to personal training, here’s what you can expect from your first sessions, beginning with what I call a free Discovery Meeting.
Why Choose Personal Training with Me
Personal training is ideal for older adults or anyone ready to make lasting, meaningful changes. Unlike generic workout plans, I design sessions that are completely customised to your individual needs, fitness level and health considerations, always within a supportive, encouraging environment.
For older clients, this may include focusing on joint health, balance and functional fitness to maintain independence. For those seeking lifestyle changes, it’s about creating sustainable habits that integrate fitness, nutrition and mindfulness into daily life.
I’m dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, offering encouragement, adapting to your preferences and ensuring you enjoy every session. Whether you train in a gym, in the comfort of your home, or through online personal training, I make sure each session is safe, effective and tailored to your lifestyle and goals.
Before Your First Session: The Free Discovery Meeting
Your journey begins with a free Discovery Meeting, a supportive consultation designed to understand your needs and set the foundation for success. This usually takes place in the comfort of your home after a brief phone chat. Here’s what to expect:
Health and Lifestyle Assessment:
In a warm, non-judgemental conversation, I’ll ask about your medical history, current fitness level and any injuries or limitations. For older clients, this can include joint issues, chronic conditions like arthritis, or medications that affect exercise.
Goal Setting:
Together, we’ll define specific, measurable and realistic goals, such as “walk 30 minutes without discomfort” rather than “run a marathon.” I’ll help you set goals that feel both achievable and motivating.
Lifestyle Questions:
Expect questions about your diet, sleep and activity levels. My approach is collaborative, ensuring your fitness plan fits smoothly into your lifestyle.
Expectations and Preferences:
You’ll share what you hope to gain from training and any preferences, such as enjoying low-impact exercise or preferring at-home fitness training in Ascot or online sessions. I’ll listen carefully so you always feel heard and supported.
This Discovery Meeting is a two-way dialogue. I encourage you to ask about my approach, experience with older clients and how I’ll tailor sessions for you. The goal is to make you feel confident and comfortable from the outset, with no obligation to continue.
Your First Session: A Supportive Start
Your first session is designed to ease you into the process, assess your baseline and build confidence in a nurturing environment. I ensure every session feels welcoming and tailored to you.
Warm-Up and Movement Assessment
We’ll begin with a gentle warm-up to prepare your body and reduce injury risk. For older clients, this may include dynamic stretches or light cardio, such as walking or arm circles, to improve circulation and joint mobility.
I’ll also observe your movement patterns to assess posture, balance and range of motion. Simple movements like squatting or stepping help identify your strengths and areas to improve. This isn’t a test, it’s a supportive way to personalise your programme, adaptable for the gym, home, or online training.
Introduction to Exercises
Your first workout introduces exercises tailored to your fitness level and goals, always guided with encouragement and clear instruction.
For my older clients, sessions often include:
Functional Movements: Chair squats or step-ups to mimic daily tasks.
Balance Training: Standing on one leg with support to improve stability.
Low-Impact Strength: Using body weight or resistance bands to build joint-friendly strength.
For lifestyle-focused clients, sessions may involve:
Cardio for Energy: Brisk walking or cycling to boost endurance.
Core Work: Gentle core exercises to support posture.
Flexibility: Stretching to reduce tension and improve mobility.
I’ll demonstrate each movement, explain its purpose and ensure your form is correct to maximise benefits and minimise injury. You’ll move at your own pace with plenty of encouragement, rest and support.
Education and Habit Building
Personal training is as much about knowledge as movement. I’ll help you understand:
Posture and Alignment: How to move safely in training and daily life.
Breathing Techniques: How proper breathing enhances relaxation and performance.
Lifestyle Integration: Simple steps like walking more or improving your nutrition habits.
For older clients, I include fall-prevention strategies and tips for staying active between sessions. For lifestyle clients, we may focus on stress reduction or energy-boosting habits. My support continues beyond sessions, accessible whether you train in person or online.
Cool-Down and Feedback
We’ll end each session with stretches to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. This is also your chance to share feedback, what you enjoyed, what felt challenging and help me fine-tune future sessions.
What to Expect in Your First Few Weeks
The first few weeks build on the supportive foundation of your Discovery Meeting and initial session. Your training plan is flexible, whether you prefer gym sessions, home training, or online fitness coaching.
Set Your Expectations for:
Progressive Workouts: Gradual increases in challenge and variety, always within your comfort zone.
Consistency and Routine: 1 to 3 weekly sessions, with flexibility to combine formats.
Ongoing Support: Advice on nutrition, hydration, sleep and recovery.
Confidence Building: You’ll start noticing improvements in energy, movement and overall strength.
These early wins, like better mobility or stamina, help build momentum, whether you’re training at home in Fleet, Frimley, Wokingham, or in the gym.
Tips to Prepare for Your First Session
To get the most out of your personal training experience, keep these simple tips in mind:
Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose loose, breathable attire and supportive shoes with a good grip.
Bring Water: Staying hydrated is crucial, especially if you’re new to exercise.
Share Health Updates: Inform me of any new injuries or health changes before sessions.
Be Open: Communicate concerns or preferences, I’ll adapt every workout to ensure comfort and confidence.
Set Realistic Expectations: Progress takes time. Celebrate every improvement, no matter how small.
What Sets My Approach Apart
As a personal trainer, especially for my older clients and lifestyle transformation, my philosophy is simple: support, safety and sustainability.
Here’s what you can expect:
Unwavering Support: Encouragement and motivation in every session.
Free Discovery Meeting: Explore my approach with no obligation.
Flexible Training Locations: Train at home, in the gym, or online.
Safety First: Joint-friendly, low-impact exercise.
Holistic Wellness: Fitness, nutrition and stress management are all addressed together.
Sustainability: Building lifelong habits, not quick fixes.
Empowerment: Knowledge and confidence to stay active independently.
Whether you’re looking for the best personal trainer in Sandhurst, an at-home personal trainer in Ascot, or a mobile personal trainer in Fleet, I aim to make fitness achievable, enjoyable and long-term.
FAQs for “Beginner’s Guide to Personal Training”
How do I know my personal trainer is qualified and experienced?
I’m a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer, a Registered Exercise Professional with CIMSPA, fully insured, and first-aid certified (mental and physical health). I bring 20+ years of fitness and event experience, and I’m happy to share client stories and credentials.
Can my training plan change if my goals or health status change?
Yes, everything I do is bespoke. After a Discovery Meeting, I design a tailored programme and keep adapting it as your aims or circumstances change (typically working in 6 to 12-week blocks, with an optional maintenance phase).
What happens if I miss a session or need to pause training?
I aim to be flexible. We can reschedule, and when life gets busy, we can switch to guided online sessions so you stay consistent from home.
Will my dietary habits and sleep be considered in my plan?
Yes. My approach is personalised and holistic—we discuss your goals, health, and lifestyle in the Discovery Meeting so your programme supports day-to-day energy and recovery.
How do I track progress besides weight and strength?
We’ll look for real-world changes across a 6 to 12-week plan, how you feel, move, and perform, then keep momentum with an ongoing maintenance option if you’d like.
Can personal training help with chronic pain or specific health issues?
I tailor training to you and will ask relevant medical questions up front; when appropriate, I’ll liaise with your clinician. Safety is central to how I work.
What type of exercise do most beginners enjoy or benefit from?
I prioritise simple, personalised training that fits your level, at home, in a local gym (I’m Fitness Manager at énergie Fitness Sandhurst), or online, so you build confidence and consistency first.
Is my personal information kept private during personal training?
Yes. I handle personal data responsibly in line with my site’s terms and conditions; if we use vouchers or online tools, those are covered by my stated T&Cs.
Final Thoughts
Your first personal training sessions, starting with the free Discovery Meeting, are an opportunity to explore what’s possible for your health and well-being in a supportive, encouraging environment.
Whether we train in the gym, your home, or online, my goal is to make every session enjoyable, educational and empowering. I’m here to help you stay active, build confidence and develop habits that last a lifetime.
With patience, consistency and a personalised plan, you’ll feel stronger, more mobile and more confident, ready to enjoy a vibrant, active lifestyle.
Ready to start?
Contact me today to book your free Discovery Meeting and let’s take the first step together towards a healthier, happier you.
(c) 2025 Personal Best, Martin Salt
