Personal Trainer Meadowbank: What To Expect In Your First Session
Forsyth Fitness Personal Training- Meadowbank, Edinburgh
If you are searching for a personal trainer Meadowbank, you probably want to know exactly what will happen when you get started. No surprises, no jargon, and no pressure. This guide walks you through my simple process at Forsyth Fitness Personal Training so you know what to expect and why it works.
Here is the short version. We start with a free consultation before you sign up. I learn about you, your goals, your schedule, and your training history. When you come in for your first session, we run a friendly movement screen and coach a few key exercises so you can move safely and confidently. From there, I design your training plan around real life. Sessions are 55 minutes, and packages start from £210 per month.
Why We Begin With a Free Consultation
The free consultation is not a sales call. It is a relaxed conversation where I get to know you as a person, not as a spreadsheet of numbers. We talk about your goals, what you have tried before, what you enjoy, any aches or injuries, your weekly routine, and what support you feel you need to succeed. If you have struggled with consistency or felt lost in the gym, this is your chance to be heard.
By the end of the consultation we both know whether we are a good fit. You will have a clear picture of how personal training in Meadowbank can work around your life. If you are happy to go ahead, we book your first 55 minute session. You will arrive feeling prepared rather than nervous, because the purpose is crystal clear.
The Purpose of Your First Session
The first session has two goals. First, to keep you safe. Second, to set you up for steady, sustainable progress. We achieve both through a short movement screen and a little technique coaching on the basics. You will not be thrown into a random workout or asked to “prove” yourself. Instead, we build a foundation that feels right for your body and your schedule.
Think of this session as your launch pad. You will leave with a confident understanding of how you move, what you will be working on, and how we will measure progress without relying only on the scales. It is calm, structured, and designed to remove the guesswork.
What Actually Happens in the First Session
1) A quick check in
We start with a simple catch up: how you are feeling today, sleep, stress, any tightness or concerns. Two minutes is enough to make useful adjustments. Training should meet you where you are, not where a plan thinks you should be.
2) Gentle warm up
We move through a short warm up so your joints feel ready and your breathing settles. This also gives me a first look at posture and range of motion without any pressure.
3) Movement screen
The movement screen is friendly and practical. There is no pass or fail. I guide you through a few patterns like squat, hinge, lunge or split stance, push, pull, and how you brace your trunk. I may include simple checks for hips, shoulders, and ankles. If something feels tight or awkward, we adjust it. If a position causes discomfort, we stop. The aim is comfort, control, and confidence, not circus tricks.
Why screen at all? Because good programming starts with good information. The screen helps me decide which exercises to start with, which to modify, and how to progress them safely. It also helps me cue technique in a way that clicks for you. Everyone is different. The screen is how we respect that.
4) Technique coaching on the basics
Once we have an idea of how you move, we coach a few key lifts at a light, manageable load. We focus on set up, breathing, bracing, and a safe range of motion. You will feel what strong positions feel like, and you will know what “good reps” look like for you. The goal today is not to test your limits. It is to build a clean foundation so progress is predictable and safe.
5) How we will track progress
We keep tracking simple. I will show you how we record sessions, how to judge effort, and how to progress week by week. We pay attention to technique, strength, work capacity, and how you feel in daily life. Numbers matter, but so do energy levels, confidence, and how your clothes fit. You will know exactly what we are looking for and why.
6) Wrap up and next steps
We finish by recapping what we learned in the screen, what felt good, and what we will do next time. I explain how your plan will take shape, when you will receive it, and how we will fit training around work, family, and everything else you do. You will leave with clarity, not confusion.
After the First Session: How Your Plan is Designed
Your plan is built from two things: everything I learned in your consultation and everything we saw in your first session. This is where personal training with me really earns its keep. Rather than handing you a template, I design a plan that fits your body and your week.
Here is what your plan includes:
A weekly schedule that respects real life
We agree how many sessions you can realistically commit to. Two to three sessions often works well, but we tailor it. If you travel or work shifts, we plan for that. Each session is 55 minutes so you know exactly how long to allow.Exercise selections that suit your movement
Based on your screen, we pick the best versions of squats, hinges, presses, rows, and carries for you. If a barbell back squat is not ideal right now, we might use a goblet squat or split squat. The right exercise is the one you can perform well, progress, and recover from.Progressions and clear milestones
You will see how exercises progress over the next 4 to 8 weeks. That might be small increases in load, slightly higher reps, or a more challenging variation. You will always know what good progress looks like.Simple, flexible nutrition guidelines
No extreme rules. We focus on balanced meals, protein intake, hydration, and practical habits you can maintain. If eating out is part of your life, we plan for it rather than pretending it does not happen.How we will measure results
We track strength, form quality, consistency, and how you feel. If body composition is a goal, we include a method you are comfortable with. The point is clarity and momentum, not obsession.
Who This Approach is for
Beginners who want a safe start
If you have never lifted before, the combination of consultation, movement screen, and step by step coaching removes the fear of the unknown.Busy professionals who need structure
If time is tight, 55 minute sessions with clear priorities make training doable. We work hard, but we do not waste time.People returning after a break
If you have been out of training for a while, the screen helps us reintroduce strength work safely and build back confidence.Anyone who prefers steady, sustainable progress
If you are done with extremes, this method will suit you. We move at a pace that fits your life and your body.
Common worries, answered
“I am not fit enough to start.”
You do not need to get fit before you get a trainer. The whole point is to start at the right level and build from there. Your first session meets you where you are.
“What if I do not like certain exercises.”
That is fine. There are always options. We choose movements that match your goals, your build, and your preferences. If an exercise does not feel right, we find one that does.
“Will I be pushed too hard.”
No. We train with purpose, not punishment. The screen tells us how hard to go. We use effort scales so we build capacity without wrecking you for days.
“I am worried about old aches and niggles.”
We note them in the consultation, watch for them in the screen, and programme around them. If something flares, we adjust. The plan serves your body, not the other way round. If you need medical advice, I will always recommend you speak to a qualified professional.
“How quickly will I see results.”
Most people feel improvements in energy, confidence, and movement quality within a couple of weeks. Visible strength changes usually follow over the first 4 to 8 weeks if you train consistently and recover well. The exact timeline depends on your starting point and routine, which is why we personalise your plan.
How to Prepare for Your First Session
Sleep and food
Aim for a decent night’s sleep. Eat a normal meal 2 to 3 hours beforehand, or a light snack if you are training early. Hydrate as usual.Clothing and kit
Wear comfortable clothing and trainers. Bring water. If you use an inhaler or any essential medication, bring it along.Arrive a few minutes early
It helps you settle and gives us time to chat without rushing.Bring questions
Anything you are unsure about, ask. Your understanding is a big part of building your confidence.
Why Choose a Personal Trainer in Meadowbank?
Working with a personal trainer Meadowbank means your training is grounded in your reality. You do not have to travel across the city or navigate a packed commercial gym on your own. You do not have to guess which exercises are right for you. You get a calm process: consultation, screen, plan, progress.
The first session is not a test. It is the beginning of a plan designed around you.
FAQs
How long is the first session
Each session is 55 minutes. That gives us enough time to warm up, screen, coach a few lifts, and wrap up without rushing.
Do I have to commit after the consultation
No. The consultation is free and obligation free. If we are a good match, we book your first session. If not, you still leave with useful clarity.
What does it cost
Packages start from £210 per month. We will talk through options during your consultation so you can choose what suits your goals and budget.
When can we train
I offer a wide range of slots in Meadowbank, I operate between the hours of 06:00-16:00 Monday - Friday. We will find times that work with your week.
Will I get a written plan
Yes, you’re plan will be delivered via my training app which you’ll be sent a download link to. After your first session I design your plan and share it with clear instructions, exercise videos, and how to progress.
What if I have to travel or miss a week
Life happens. We plan around busy weeks and keep momentum with simple adjustments.
Ready to Start?
If you want a personal trainer Meadowbank who takes the time to understand you first, book your free consultation. We will map out your goals, look honestly at your schedule, and set expectations that make sense. In your first 55 minute session we will run a friendly movement screen, coach the basics so you feel confident, and then I will design your plan from there. No noise. No confusion. Just clear steps and steady progress.