Why should you hire a personal trainer?
You have most likely heard of a personal trainer but what do they do? Why would you or should you, hire one? A personal trainer is a fitness professional who works one-on-one with a training client (or a small group of clients) to create and implement a fitness regimen. A personal trainer will create a workout program for you, then work with you individually showing you how to do each exercise and will insure you have proper form. Personal training is a great option for beginners who need help getting started as well as for experienced exercisers who want to push themselves further. Trainers don’t just simply give you a workout program, there are other aspects to having a personal trainer that make it even more invaluable.
Trainers will create the right plan for YOU. The first step with a personal trainer is a fitness assessment or a consultation. During this assessment, the trainer will ask questions about your past and current workout routines, health issues (including injuries and current medications) and your goals and objectives. The trainer will also conduct some postural, movement and overall fitness assessments that will help them create a personalized workout for you.
After getting to know you and helping to define your health and wellness goals, your trainer will create an exercise plan specific to you and your goals, preferences, schedule, experience, and constraints. They take the results of the assessment into account when creating your personalized workout so you won’t be doing any exercises that could potentially be detrimental. Your trainer can also help you determine healthful habits right for you to implement that will help with your goal.
There isn’t just one perfect workout program for everyone. We are all unique with our own fitness levels, injuries, and goals. Your trainer will create a workout plan specifically for you. For example, workouts will look different if you want to work on muscular endurance vs. muscular strength. Or, if you have a knee injury, your trainer won’t include exercises that would exacerbate the issue. Your trainer will create your training plan based on you, what you are looking to achieve and will help you get there.
A trainer will help you set realistic goals. Many people come to the gym with a big goal of losing 100 pounds or a vague goal like getting healthier. Research says that goals that are most likely to be achieved are SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, and time bound. Setting health and fitness SMART goals can be difficult to do when you are first starting out and your personal trainer can work with you to make your goals SMART and therefore more achievable! An example of a SMART goal would be to do strength training three times a week for the next three months. It is specific (you know what you are going to do and how often you will do it), measurable (this is easy to track on a calendar or in an app), attainable (you can make time for a workout three times a week) and time bound (you will do this for at least the next 3 months).
A personal trainer can help set a realistic timeline to achieve results. Unfortunately, many exercisers quit their program before its effectiveness is proven. By setting expectations, you and your trainer can see yourself through the full program and see the full potential.
A trainer can boost your knowledge and confidence. There is so much information about health and wellness out there it is hard to know what is true and what isn’t. A trainer can provide educated advice about fitness and exercise. The gym itself can be intimidating and confusing as well. So many machines, it is hard to know what to do and how to do it. Your trainer will show you how to use the equipment and explain what things you could do and point out anything that might not be a good idea for you to do. They can give you the knowledge and confidence you need to feel comfortable in the gym.
Trainers will reduce the chance of injury. A personal trainer will perform an initial assessment determining any imbalances and any weaknesses. They take the results of the assessment, as well as any injuries you may have, into account when creating your personalized workout so you won’t be doing any exercises that could potentially be detrimental. Another bonus of working with a personal trainer is that they won’t just tell you what to do, they will help you through each exercise, explaining how to perform it correctly and watch you to insure you have proper form to help prevent any potential injuries, and so that you get the most out of each exercise.
Trainers provide accountability. Personal trainers also help keep you accountable. Health and fitness goals take time and sticking with your plan consistently is essential. Your trainer will keep you accountable for getting to the gym and getting your workout done. They also will help you navigate when life gets in the way (because it will!) and help keep you on track when you get thrown a curve ball, changing up your plan if necessary. Some days it is tempting to skip the gym. Knowing you have a scheduled session, and that your trainer is waiting for you, will get you there even when motivation doesn’t.
A trainer will bring motivation. We all tend to do more if someone is watching us, and personal training is no exception. Having someone there to cheer, encourage and challenge you will help you do more each exercise session. A trainer can help you set weekly goals, then check in regularly to see how you're doing, keeping you motivated and pushing toward your goals.
Trainers can make exercise FUN! Most personal trainers will learn what you like to do and don’t like to do and will do their best to make the workout both effective and fun!
Don’t hesitate to meet with a few trainers if you don’t feel a connection with the first one you contact. Like with medical providers, spend a bit of time finding one that matches your goals and values and look at it as a long-term investment in yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask about the trainer’s certifications and work history. The personal trainer should at least be certified by an organization that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) such as The American Council on Exercise (ACE), International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), or National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). The certification process teaches individuals proper training techniques, the science behind training the human body and how to optimize workouts without causing injury. Some trainers will also have a specialization in which they have received additional training such as training older adults, training for specific sports or bodybuilding.
Your trainer will give you a customized workout plan, help you to perform it safely and keep you consistent and progressing with your plan. These are just some of the important things your trainer will do that will help you become your healthiest you and reach your goals. Hiring a personal trainer is a great investment in your overall health. Get a complimentary fitness assessment with one of the trainers at LivRite today!
