As a personal trainer, it is my job to encourage and push my clients to their limits. It is my goal that my clients learn what hard work feels like so when they exercise on their own, they know how to push themselves. But there may be times when you need to listen to your body and stop an exercise.

If you experience any of these symptoms while exercising, let your trainer know immediately and stop your workout:

• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Light-headedness
• Vision blurring or blacking out
• Sudden pain or injury
• Inability to catch your breath
• Chest pains
• Nausea  
• Anything out of the ordinary

Always keep communication open with your trainer. Let him or her know what’s going on with your body. If you don’t tell your trainer about symptoms listed above, you may be putting yourself in medical danger. Don’t be afraid to admit to pain.

When you train, it’s supposed to be hard work. Your muscles will get tired and sore. General muscle pain, like the burn you feel after doing a squat hold for example, is normal. So is breathing heavier than normal and having an elevated heart rate. However, it is critical for you to learn the difference between when something is wrong with your body and when something is simply hard for your body. If you’re not sure which it is, don’t risk it. Communicate with your trainer, see a doctor if necessary, and adjust your workout plans accordingly.

Over-communication is preferable to no communication. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as hypertension, you absolutely must get clearance from a doctor before beginning an exercise program and you need to let your trainer know of these conditions.

It is not my goal to make you afraid of pushing yourself too hard while exercising; rather, my goal is to make you aware of your responsibility to let your trainer know if something is wrong.

A heart rate monitor is also a great tool to use to get in better touch with your body. It can help you understand how hard you are pushing yourself, including when to push yourself harder and when to ease off. You and your trainer should be aware of your heart rate when training.

I hope this helps.