If you’re looking to take your fitness to the next level, you may wonder whether hiring a personal trainer is right for you. Whether you’re new to exercising or the gym is your second home, working with a personal trainer can help you reach your health and fitness goals.
A certified personal trainer is trained in creating and implementing safe and effective exercise programs for their clients. In other words, they’ll help you work out and execute other lifestyle changes to reach your fitness goal.
Let’s have a look at the various benefits of personal training.
- Increases accountability – One of the most challenging parts of maintaining a workout routine is doing the workouts consistently. Working with a personal training will give you the nudge you need to get your workout, whether in person or virtually — not only during your appointments but hopefully several other times during the week.
Ever heard the saying, “If you want to go far, go together?” There’s ample research to show that the more support someone has with their health and fitness goals, the more likely they are to succeed. You may also work harder with a trainer alone than you would if you went at it.
- You can learn about your body, health, & fitness – A personal trainer is not only there to make you sweat, but you are also more likely to learn something from them. To become a certified personal trainer through an accredited organization like the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or American Council on Exercise (ACE), a person must have a high school degree, as well as be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
That means your trainer knows much about human physiology and body mechanics, behavior change, exercise science, and more. They can help you learn proper form, how to use specific equipment, and what exercises will be most effective. Beyond that, they can teach you about greater health and fitness topics to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Many factors are at play, including your head position, upper and lower back position, pelvis position, knee alignment, and foot position. Each depends on your fitness level, body mechanics, goals, and more.
Having a personal trainer to guide you through the correct positioning and form is invaluable. They can help ensure you perform the exercise most effectively for your body.
- Helpful in setting goals – Have you ever set a considerable health and fitness goal? Such as losing 20 pounds or training for a marathon only to fall short of reaching it. Or maybe you’re not in the habit of goal setting at all, and you could use some guidance.
A personal trainer can help you set realistic and attainable goals based on your experiences and abilities, aiding you in your progress. And even if you want to stay active or feel better, having a goal when you’re on a fitness journey, no matter how big or small it is, can be an important factor in keeping you motivated.
- You will get an individualized plan – A quick Google search will yield many pages of workouts or programs you can follow, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best option for you. Having a personal trainer will ensure you have an individualized plan that will give you the best results.
For instance, say after an initial consultation with your trainer, they notice that your right leg is weaker than your left leg, and you have no idea. This imbalance is causing you to compensate during many daily movements and exercises, exacerbating inequality. To address the issue, your trainer incorporates single-leg movements into your workouts, allowing you to correct this imbalance and make yourself stronger overall. Recent research indicates the effectiveness of individualized workout plans just for this reason.
- Flexible schedule and format – You can meet with a personal trainer in person at a gym weekly, several times a week, or even monthly, whatever works best for you. Nowadays, virtual personal training is popular, too.
There’s a personal trainer for everyone, regardless of your physical abilities, level of experience, location, or budget. Sessions typically range from 30–60 minutes and will cater to your personal goals. In this format, you’ll work out at your home while video conferencing with your trainer, who will guide you through the workout on your phone or laptop.
Conclusion
Personal trainers are excellent resources for beginners who need help getting started and for more seasoned exercisers who want to push themselves further. Personal trainers work with you one-on-one to help design an engaging exercise regimen, help you with form, ensure you are working for all your muscle groups safely, and more. The accountability of meeting your trainer for a set appointment can help you stay on track and meet your goals.
