I had a personal trainer for a while before I went off to college for about 1.5 years and I gained a lot from it. I was brand new to working out in a gym and I didn't have any family or friends who worked out either.

• When I started out I honestly didn't have any "goals" other than to be "fitter". We started out with using some basic machines/lifts, and along the way I came up with specific goals (a pushup/pullup, etc)

• Check in frequently on goals, but also lifts that I particularly didn't like. I would rather cut off a toe than do stationary lunges, but I don't mind walking lunges -- so we subbed those out quickly.

• Demoing form and being annoyingly nitpicky about it when I got it wrong (that's what I'm paying you for!!)

• Having a few laughs while working out is always nice. I don't really want/need a cheerleader but I will fire a drill sergeant type. That's just a know your own client type thing though. Honestly, my old personal trainer did a lot of "give me 5", then "5 more" type stuff which worked for me.

• Trust me when I say enough is enough. That's a big one for me and it stems from a whole other scenario where a coach pushed me too hard but I tell all my coaches that I will laugh, roll my eyes, banter with you but if I cut the BS and tell you I need a break I need a break.

• Homework, always homework. At the beginning I told him I was willing to workout and be in the gym for x time, x days a week and we worked it out. We talked about what to work on but he emailed a word doc with homework for the week after every session. The more specific the better. I took notes on what did/n't work and then we went over that every week.