08/07/2021
The value of a personal trainer
Personal trainers are not only trained in all the latest fitness techniques and science , they are trained in listening and helping people achieve their personal health and fitness goals, safely and effectively. You can save an enormous amount of time trying to learn it all yourself, as well as significantly reduce your chance of injury, by working with a personal trainer.
Many people work out for years, expending large amounts of energy on the wrong exercise program for their goals, the wrong fitness program for their body, incorrect exercise form and technique, or not even being consistent on a fitness workout program. Or they do the same exercise routine for years, which results in an exercise plateau, not to mention boredom. Incorrect technique or poorly designed programs can lead to muscle imbalances, which leads to ineffective results. This type of muscle imbalance also increases the likelihood of injuries.
Things change quickly in the fitness field. New research comes out daily on the effects of exercise, the effects of certain medical conditions on exercise, and the best and safest way to exercise. A personal trainer will be current on all of those topics, so you don’t have to do all that research. They will know how to use all the equipment and tools, and how to design a program that fits with your schedule and your lifestyle.
Perhaps most importantly, they will give you the motivation you need to succeed. Not only will you have that scheduled appointment to get you into the gym, a good personal trainer will help you set goals and monitor your progress. They will know when you’re feeling less than your best, and will adjust accordingly. They will also know when you just need someone to get you moving! You can expect they will push you a little harder than you’d push yourself, because that’s the way you get results. The results will make you feel great, and then your trainer can set the next level of results for you. When you get bored, they will mix up the routines or give you something totally different to do. You can depend on getting an excellent variety in your workouts with a personal trainer.
If you do get injured, a personal trainer will know how to modify (or eliminate) exercises while you recover. Simply stopping all exercise is not usually the best approach for dealing with an injury. They can also refer to you to health professionals if needed, and to other classes or sessions that would be appropriate for you. They can also assist you with developing healthy habits, just as suggesting healthy eating options that fit with your fitness goals.
Choosing the right personal trainer for you is important. Personal training does cost money, so don’t waste it. If you don’t like one personal trainer, don’t assume they are all bad for you. Feel free to “shop around” for a trainer you feel really good about, both in terms of their training and how they make you feel. You want to work with someone who motivates you and makes you feel good about exercising, not someone who berates you or yells at you when you make a mistake. Good chemistry is also important, and can usually only be detected in a trial session. See if you feel comfortable and at ease with the trainer, and if you want to come back for more – or if you’d rather hide in bed and never see that person again. Also remember that you are hiring this person as an expert advisor – but you have the final say in your exercise plans. Don’t settle for someone who orders you around and tries to make you do things you don’t want to do or don’t feel comfortable with. Your enjoyment of exercise and achievement of your goals depends on a good relationship with this person!
