Check Out the Home Bodies Personal Training Frequently Asked Questions

Contrary to what you may see on reality TV shows, a professional personal trainer is not someone to be afraid of! Your trainer will start by meeting with you for a consultation. The consultation gives the trainer a chance to get to know you as well as assess your body mechanics and present fitness level in a gentle way.

From there, the trainer decides which course of action is best for you in regards to your fitness. The trainer provides suggestions, but they are always suggestions, not orders.

The consultation also gives you an opportunity to meet the trainer and find out if the trainer we send is a good match for you. At Home Bodies, we always incorporate a workout during the consultation - you will walk out with a plan to begin following the very first day. We believe in action immediately - why delay getting started working toward your goals?

If you would like to perform some or all of your workouts at home, it makes sense to use an in-home trainer. This is because the in-home trainer can work with you in the same setting and with the same equipment and conditions that you will have access to for your home workouts.

For example, the dumbbells and resistance bands you use at home might be different from the ones at the gym. Furthermore, the trainers at Home Bodies Personal Training quite often give you exercises that use your home as a "piece of equipment" such as: step-ups on the stairs, dips off a chair, or push-ups against a counter top. For advanced exercisers, the trainer may request that you purchase additional items that the gym doesn't even have, such as parallets or home rings. Being at home allows you to customize your workout and not pay for anything you don't need or use. And the best part is, the equipment is yours forever!

By using Home Bodies Personal Training, you will also enjoy the convenience of having the trainer come to you. If you only have a certain amount of time per week you can dedicate to exercise, working out at home just makes sense! The time you would have spent driving or changing into a "gym worthy" outfit could have been spent working out! The primary reason that people give up on exercise is lack of time. Research shows that, if a gym is more than 5 minutes away from you, your odds of sticking with it are pretty abysmal.

Home workouts do it one better! You can still be a member of a gym if you like, but it's a good idea to have an at-home "back up plan" for times when you can't, or don't want to, get yourself to the gym. 

We are willing to travel to health clubs, gyms, apartment complex or condo gyms, and fitness studios for personal training appointments and to design exercise programs using the equipment at the gym. No problem! Be sure to inquire first if the management at your gym or condo workout space allows "outside" trainers, meaning trainers who do not work for or rent out of the facility, to enter the facility with members and instruct them. If there are any associated fees, you will be responsible to cover those (such as a guest pass for the day). We have also had clients join a Zoom call with us from the facility. Again, please be sure this is allowed before scheduling.

Home Bodies offers a tremendous array of options including: exercise program design, regular personal training visits, weight loss services, nutrition consulting, pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise, corrective exercise in general, adult gymnastics conditioning, and flexibility/mobility training. See a full list of Home Bodies programs.

Appointments are typically 1 hour. We do offer 45 minute and 30 minute sessions upon request, but we find that due to the educational component and the coaching component, having a full hour for sessions helps us help you the best in most cases. You may mention that you prefer shorter sessions when you fill out our Quote Request or during your Free 15 minute consultation. You may request that the workouts we assign for you to do on your own be shorter, however. We can create whatever will set you up for the most success.

No. Any necessary equipment will cost less than $50 and is provided by the trainer during the time you work with us if you do not wish to purchase it. You will be amazed at how much variety your routine will have even without a full home gym! While we do not require more equipment to guarantee great results for you, if you are interested in using additional equipment we can advise you on which pieces would be most useful and we can design routines for you that incorporate it. We can advise you on purchasing adjustable dumbbells, that way you don't need to take up too much space. We also have contacts with equipment stores if you are interested in purchasing advice and discounts off larger items such as treadmills or full weight racks.

All you really need is a 6-foot by 6-foot space on the floor. Being able to raise your arms overhead helps too (some basements have low ceilings). Many clients work out in their living room. Having a dedicated space is nice, but certainly not required. Home Bodies can make due with the space you have. 

If you do not own a piece of cardio equipment such as a treadmill, your trainer can design your exercise routine so that you do not need formal "cardio" to experience the benefits of cardiovascular exercise. This is accomplished through circuit-style exercise where you do not stop to rest between exercises, or cardio exercise that can be done indoors without much space via free workout videos.

Going outdoors for some of the cardio is also an option and we can advise you on that. One of my favorite free ways to get outdoor cardio is going for walks with a weighted backpack (also known as rucking). Many gym memberships cost around $15 per month these days and will allow you to have access to cardio equipment if you need or want it. I personally was able to find a $50 Exercise Bike from Craigslist and I've used it several times per week for the past 8 years with no problems! Don't let money stop you from finding ways to do cardio.

We guarantee results, for one thing! We also work extensively with you to create an individualized program you can live with and be happy to follow for life. The program is flexible enough to fit around your lifestyle. The program is more effective than most apps and memberships you'll see out there because it's based on science, not the latest fad or hype. It's designed for long-term success rather than a "quick fix" that doesn't last. In addition, by forming a relationship with your trainer, you will have more incentive to stick with it. It's so easy to not use or cancel an app. It's harder to do that with a person who cares about you and your success!

Our programs are based on the science of exercise physiology as well as nutrition. We combine our years of experience as trainers with the "book knowledge" we have from our degrees and certifications. We design everyone's program individually, and constantly reassess your program to ensure that it is working at the absolute best level for you, your body and your life.

All of trainers who work at Home Bodies Personal Training are nationally certified. You can read details on our About Us page. Gina Paulhus, owner of the company, is the author of the weight-loss book "Mind Over Fatter" as well as the book "Change Your Weighs". Gina also produces a TV show The Home Bodies Fitness Show.

I (Gina Paulhus, owner) established Home Bodies Personal Training in 2004 after starting my career as a YMCA trainer in 1997. I am a Nationally Certified Personal Trainer with the ISSA and also carry a Bachelor's degree in Psychology/Business. I have ton of hands-on experience and I actively engage in continuing education. I have my Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Certification which allows me to dispense corrective exercise for all types of issues, even ones beyond being postpartum. See more about my PCES offerings here. I have competed in gymnastics for 25 years and have extensive knowledge of that sport as well. I have recovered from diastasis recti and 2 large hernias without surgery, and I teach others to do the same. I value being able to offer exercise, pain management and nutrition techniques all in one service and I notice the benefits my clients reap from this comprehensive offering I have to give.

All of our trainers are capable of performing full body assessments to determine which parts of your body may be out of alignment or weaker than surrounding muscles. We can use that information, combined with your description of symptoms, to design a program that, at the very least will not make your problems worse - and usually can reduce pain and symptoms due to improved muscular balance as well as improved fitness levels. We are not medical practitioners and we do not diagnose or cure any condition. Click here to read more about our Corrective Exercise Programs.

You simply need to be ready to make a change in your life to become healthier. If you'd like to meet with us before starting a session you may schedule a Free 15 Minute Consultation here. Otherwise you may request a Price Quote and we will set you off in the right direction. You can come as you are, and we will take it from there! We offer sessions in-home in select locations as well as over video call. The main thing is to come to us with a willingness to change your life. We will do the rest!

Absolutely not! We do not believe in "locking clients in" by getting them to commit to a large number of sessions. We believe personal training should be about you, not us, and we want you to have full control at all times about whether or not you continue to meet with us.

We do allow you to "reserve" your desired day(s) of the week and time slots on a monthly basis, and if you choose to do that we provide a discount on the sessions you reserve for the upcoming month.  You are always free to simply pay for sessions as you go, too. We aim to keep it simple and flexible.

You can pre-pay for the upcoming month's worth of sessions (which could be just one session, or twenty-five sessions, depending on how often you train with us) and receive a $15 discount off regular session rates. The rate is the same no matter how often you train with us for personal training. The only price difference is whether or not you choose to prepay. We are appreciative when we know we will be working and when we have a month-long commitment from clients, so we extend that appreciation in the form of a discount.

We send a credit card or PayPal invoice via email - it's your choice. You may pay the credit card invoice via a bank account if you prefer. If you'd rather do a check, cash or venmo simply let us know as we accept those too.

During the first session your trainer will ask you some questions about your health and exercise background and about what you are looking to achieve with your workouts. We will then create a plan for you to help you move forward and achieve your goals. We will introduce you to the exercises that we decide are best for you. It will be more about learning the movements than about exerting and straining. 

You will also get the opportunity during the first appointment to ask the trainer any questions you have about the program. You will leave with a full understanding of what to do on your own for workouts. If part of your goal is to lose weight or inches, we may take baseline measurements with measuring tape, calipers and/or before/after pictures only if you are comfortable with that. 

Our clients have had varied and diverse goals when it comes to why they began working with us. For the Home Bodies Personal Training clients who follow our program, we have a very high success rate for them achieving their desired goals. Not all clients stick with our program, of course. That's human nature! But the ones who do truly thrive. Many say they are in better shape now than they were 10 years ago! To see some client testimonials, visit this page: Here's what our clients have to say about their experience with Home Bodies.

You maintain your weight loss and/or increased fitness by following a modified version of the diet and exercise that led you to your desired weight, which is typically less stringent than your program was during the weight loss phase. At Home Bodies Personal Training we are accustomed to easing clients into the trecherous maintenance phase successfully. The reason that the maintenance phase can be so trecherous is that it's easy to let your guard down once you feel you've "made it." We can teach you how to loosen the reins a bit without giving up your great results. Winning at maintenance is truly winning at your transformation, whether that is in regards to your weight, your appearance, how you feel, and/or how you perform.

You may meet with us as often as five times per week for personal training, or as infrequently as once every few months. You are also more than welcome to hire us just for one time to receive a plan you can follow on your own.

When you meet with us on a regular schedule of your choosing, you will be sure to get a workout during your session. When you simply hire us to make a one-time plan, you will be more in learning mode, but you will still be trying each move to make sure you understand how to do it properly.

Many clients continue to work with us after reaching their goal, although sometimes less frequently than they did when they first started out. Whether or not you continue utilizing our services is completely up to you. We teach you how to work out effectively and how to maintain your progress. We never keep our workouts and methodologies a "secret" from you - you gain an education in working out and eating right while you work with us. However, many Home Bodies Personal Training clients enjoy the camaraderie they develop with their trainer and enjoy the motivation and increased stimulation and variety it provides to continue working with us.

Using a trainer can also help if you develop injuries over the years or health conditions and need different guidance as your circumstances change. Whether you continue working with us or you go off on your own once you're at your goal, you will be more than equipped to successfully maintain your progress. We also keep you up to date on the latest health, fitness, and weight loss news via our monthly newsletter and our social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

You are always permitted to shop around, trying various Home Bodies trainers until you find one that's a good fit for you. Home Bodies Personal Training offers a Money-Back Guarantee that if you follow the program as designed by your trainer you will achieve the results we've decided on together in the time frame we have specified. We also utilize customer surveys to ensure that we're creating a "wow" experience with the quality of our services. We will refund money for any training session conducted in the last month at any point if you are not 100% satisfied.

Besides the fact that we guarantee your results, we are very accessible (responding to calls, texts and emails within 24 hours) and we offer personal training appointments seven days per week, from 5am to 9pm amongst our staff. We design a unique program for each individual, and we welcome your feedback on how to make your program and your experience with us better. We take the time to cultivate relationships with our clients which really fuels motivation and commitment. Learn more about what makes us different at Home Bodies Personal Training.

Then the 15 minute Free Consultation will be perfect for you! Find a time on My Calendar right now.

It depends on how often you see the trainer and whether you opt for video call or in-home, as well as whether you do a pre-pay or a post-pay. Pre-pay video call sessions are $130 with Gina Paulhus and $85 with staff Home Bodies trainers. Post-pay video call session are $145 and $100, respectively. In home rates are dependent upon your location. You can inquire by asking for a Price Quote.

You can book by contacting us with your interest in booking. Please let us know the days of the week and times of day that work best for you for your visits, as well as if you prefer in home or video call sessions. You can book a Free 15 Minute Consultation here.

Nutrition consulting is where we sit down with you to discuss the current state of your diet and how to make changes or improvements to help you with better health, more energy, more strength and stamina for your workouts, and muscle building and/or fat loss if you desire those things.

We also provide both psychological and practical tips and techniques to make it easier for you to follow your nutrition plan. This is really where the magic happens, and where my degree in Psychology comes in handy! We help you make your nutrition plan fun and enjoyable - it's NOT about deprivation or starving yourself. It's possible that you have failed at plans in the past because they were so restrictive that your body and mind rebeled. We will create a plan for you that is sustainable so that you can have sustainable results to match.

With our help you can eat well but still have room for some treats. After all, life is to be enjoyed! We can help you incorporate going out to eat and having your favorite foods occasionally so that you can realistically follow the plan for life! We also help you navigate the confusing world of supplements so you can find out what's worthwhile for you to take and what is a waste of money at best - downright dangerous at worst.