Girlfriend approached me about wanting to train seriously.

[fstr03svtcobra]

So I had a dream come true the other day and my girlfriend texted me and said "hey can you teach me how to squat." It is awesome that she wants to start training hard. She started working out/fitness (can't call it training) about two years ago and just does machines and the treadmill, but she wants to get really fit. She says she is willing to train with me and let me put her on a diet. I think she has potential because she has a naturally very fast metabolism - she eats dirty/high unclean carb and is very skinny.

My question is how to approach this. I don't want to start super hardcore and scare her off (especially with the diet). I don't want to tell her that she ought to feel like she is about to pass out after every set of squats on the first day LOL. Like most other people who start training, she says she wants to just focus on a couple body parts (for her butt and abs), but doesn't realize that it takes complete body training to get the look she is after. I train 4x a week so I figure I could have her do her legs, back, arms and shoulder days with me. I probably wouldn't have her do chest with me but maybe for the fourth day a little chest and some extra leg work. On the off days she could do cardio. Do you think this would scare a novice away? Also, she thinks that she can't lift good weight bc she is so tiny - she is 5'2" and 99lbs LOL. Any tips on how to get this idea out of her head? I have shown her very fit girls her size that are strong, but it still doesn't seem to be making her believe she can actually do it. And girls out there, is this a good split for her? I'm pretty clueless on this and don't want to be the reason she hates training or never gets into it. Thanks

 

[WesleyInman]

I train women all the time..and every one of them wants to do weights and think that guys will look at them differently because of it....They tell me it all the time, it's true. I had a new female client tell me it today, then I ran her through a true bi and tri routine..and she loved it. I told her to call me in 2 days and see if she still likes it LOL...

We'll see..

Time and time again, women come back to me to train, because they leave to go to another trainer after awhile to save money from time to time. I charge $75-100 per hour, but my sessions are usually 1.5 hours...you get what you pay for..So they go to planet fitness and pay 20 dollars for a session only to find their trainers have no clue what they are doing and they don't allow them to do heavy weights or push them, then they realize the value in what they pay. I have them sign a waiver and tell them they risk injury to work with me..but I will get them results 2x as quick. They are sore. They think being sore is a sign of a good workout.

So with my novel being said and done I'd say screw it. Let her train with you Same exercises, lighter weights for week one and then push her from then on.

Women want to be treated equally. If she quits she wasn't cut out for it. Also, think about your sex life. And I'm serious. Guys, we will bang a girl no matter if we are sore. When I broke my shoulder, I was in a full cast and still demanded daily service. Women will call it off if they are too sore, headache, or just not in the mood. Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

 

[exbeanpole]

You know her mental make up better than we do so use your best judgement. I'm guessing she's a little scrappy at 5'2" 99lbs and will probably enjoy the challenge. If that's the case I say don't hold back and have her train with you so she'll want to keep up with you to prove she's not a quitter. Let us know how it goes with her. Tell her we've got some other ladies here and stop by sometime too!

 

[fstr03svtcobra]

Wes, Very good point. I think I am going to take the approach of just letting her do everything with me with different weight.

Exbeanpole, True. I do think that she will want to prove that she isn't a quitter. I also don't expect her to have the same mental toughness right off the bat as me so, I'll take that into account.

 

[Buffalo]

Like I told my wife and girls at work, if you get to a point where you are feel to muscular or big then just stop and then maintain. They think that they will keep growing.

 

[fstr03svtcobra]

Like I told my wife and girls at work, if you get to a point where you are feel to muscular or big then just stop and then maintain. They think that they will keep growing.

Yea she was like I don't want to look like a pro bodybuilder LOL. I was like do you really think you would just wake up one day after training and look like that?

 

[IronJulius]

this time last year my gf couldn't do a real pull up. today she did 8,6,5,4 lately ive had her doing 5x5 im going to strap a 25lbs weight on her next time. when I started working out with her I just used the weight she could use, worked on form the first couple weeks just so she felt comfortable or I didn't want to make her feel like im doing all this work moving weights around or that it bothers me or its a hastle. if you decide to do your regular workout just keep in mind the best way to approach her you know her best. I absolutely love working out with my gf besides chest day lol yes ive lost some strength but would rather have those times with her. don't get me started with her thinking she figured something out all by herself and I have told her a dozen times yes I am a control freak at times and think I know best. I can tell you are really excited about this and wish yall the best

 

[charliebigspuds]

im at the gym on saturday with the wife. she has got some deep squats lunges and other goodies to look forward to.
only problem i have is she hates to be pushed..she hates the old just one more routine in the ear that im soooo used to..so i have to watch my mouth other wise she gets pissed of with me..enjoy and watch her grow..

 

[The Dude]

You got the start, now just keep encouraging her. The easiest way is to make jokes about the gym and keep her in the loop as far as your plans. She wants to be in more of your life, just keep it fun. Silk LOVED getting stronger so that was her thing.

 

[Buffalo]

Yea she was like I don't want to look like a pro bodybuilder LOL. I was like do you really think you would just wake up one day after training and look like that?

lol yeah I wish it was that easy