Personal trainers are not for everyone. despite this, a knowloadgeable trainer will provide certain benefits that you cannot find when working out on your own. Even someone as knowledgeable about personal training as me can benefit from someone giving me guidance, a second opinion or even just pushing me over my limits (but just a little bit!).
If you are an absolute beginner, a personal trainer is the ultimate fitness coach. A good trainer will introduce you to a very simple, effective routine and build efficiently so before you know it, you have the confidence and knowledge to decide what is right for you. A good trainer should know what is right for you, although you need to give feedback and information about how your body feels after every training session – that’s how we get it right and ensure the training is relevant to you. A good trainer will actually teach you about your body and how to exercise so you can then make your own decision later about what is good for you!
Motivation
One of the main reasons people benefit from a personal trainer is that they lose motivation to stick with a consistent exercise program. Certified personal trainers can provide structure and accountability, and help you develop a lifestyle that encourages health.
Individualised program
If you have any chronic health conditions, injuries or training goals (running a marathon, for example) a trainer will work with you and your health care provider to plan a safe, efficient program that considers these needs and enable you to reach your health goals. Yes – we can provide a safe plan if the client has good posture, basic co-ordination and muscle awareness.
Efficiency
Personal Trainers help you focus on results and stop wasting your time doing inefficient workouts. A personal trainer has a plan and will help you get maximum results in minimum time.
Improve technical skills
If you play a particular sport, the right personal trainer will help you improve your skill by showing you new training techniques specific to your sport. The Trainer will incorporate skills training into your program so you improve not only your strength and endurance, but your agility and mental focus as well.
Break through plateaus
Ok, you are already in pretty decent shape, but you’ve been there for years. If you are stuck in the same routine and want to break out of a rut, a personal trainer is the perfect solution. A trainer will jump start not only your motivation, but your routine as well. I say there is always a next level!
Learn how to go it alone
If you ultimately want to learn all the facets of designing your own routines so you don’t need to use a personal trainer, going for a few months may be all you need. All good personal trainers will teach you the basics of building and modifying a fitness program to achieve maximum results. Designing your own routines can be a problem. To learn how to go it alone takes time! I have clients who see me once or twice a month and their training plan is tailor-made and designed by me. To train by yourself, you need to learn more than just the basics.
Workout Safely
A personal trainer watches your form, monitors your vitals and can provide objective feedback about your limits and strengths. Most of us tend to ignore some of the subtle signals our body provides. We either push through pain or give up too soon. Because a personal trainer can watch what you are doing while you are doing it, they can help push you or slow you down as necessary. Today, newly qualified personal trainers, with their qualification gained in only 5 weeks, have no idea how to look out for the significant signs of overload or under-load. Over the years, I have met a lot of people who didn’t want to go back to work with a personal trainer after only one session. This is because afterwards they could not walk for days or it was too painful to sit down for example. To hurt people and train people are two completely different things!
Workout at home
Many personal trainers make house calls. If you are don’t have the type or interest in going to a gym, but have a hard time knowing what to do on your own at home, a personal trainer can bring fitness into your living room.
Lose Weight
There is a good reason that the number one reason people hire personal trainers is to lose weight and get into shape – it works. If you made a resolution to lose the fat and build the muscle, a trainer can keep you on track and help you realize that goal. Before you hire a personal trainer you should ask the following questions:
QUESTIONS TO ASK
1. What are your qualifications and certification? A qualified personal trainer has an education in physiology, health promotion, athletic training, kinesiology or a similar field. They should have first aide and CPR certification as well as certification from a reputable organization such as ACSM, ACE, IDEA, YMCA, NSCA or similar.
2. Do you have liability insurance? They should answer yes.
3. What are your policies and procedures? A personal trainer should have a documented policy explaining their services, costs, cancellations, length of contract, and emergency procedures. They should also require a medical clearance form to be completed before they work with you.
4. Finally, you should feel comfortable with the trainer, his/her style of communication and the expectations of your time together.
This is the most important part of your training and why I don’t understand some people in Bristol – they don’t shop around. When you buy a new TV or some kind of equipment, you always look around regarding the price, quality etc. The same time and care should be taken when looking for a personal trainer. You need to find out about the trainer’s attitude, their duty of care, their qualifications etc.
If you’ve read this far, you obviously have strong aspirations to level up your fitness! Get in touch now to book a consultation and take the first steps towards a new you.