The Benefits of working with a Personal Trainer
Just the thought of a Personal Trainer pushing his clients to the point they collapse (or barf) may scare anyone away from hiring a trainer! However, the benefits of using a Personal Trainer should be carefully considered for many reasons. Certainly some provide “tough love” motivation, but Personal Trainers typically work with clients in a very non-threatening way, helping them to achieve specific fitness goals, whether they be weight loss-based, sports-driven or for athletic purposes. Its important to understand the benefits of a Personal Trainer before you decide that the financial investment is for you. I’ve put together the most important reasons why you should have a Personal Trainer, as well as the benefits that you are likely to achieve.
Educational
One of the primary reasons that someone should have a Personal Trainer is that they are trained in teaching others how to exercise. And while exercise in itself is only a part of fitness, with nutrition and lifestyle playing an essential role in the overall picture. If you don’t get exercise right then you will never achieve your goals.
The importance of education when exercising is important for two primary reasons:
1) If you don’t know which exercises are most effective for the goals you have, you are unlikely to achieve those goals. For example, if your goal is to build core strength but you spend all your time on cardio exercises, then you are unlikely to hit your goal.
2) Education when performing exercises is essential in reducing the risk of injury. Many people every year are seriously injured by performing exercises they have not received training for, and this can impact their health and fitness for a long time. Having someone trained in how to execute certain tasks will greatly reduce the level of risk and increase the effectiveness of your fitness routine.
Perfect Form
Having a Personal Trainer next to you to show you and demonstrate the correct posture and technique is invaluable. A Personal Trainer will ensure clients are performing exercises correctly and efficiently, in order to maximize results. If you are not doing the excersize correctly, then you are increasing your risk of injury as well as not achieving your goals (because nothing sucks more than 10 weeks of bed rest!).
Achieving your Goals!
A Personal Trainer helps you define your fitness goals. She takes into account your current fitness level and discusses what you want to achieve through your workouts. While you may have some idea of the goals you want to set, a professional is able to help you break them down into smaller goals that are specific and realistic. The personal trainer also helps assess your progress towards reaching those goals.
Personalized Workout
Personal Trainers create a specific workout plan just for you based on what you want to achieve. Typically, this personalized plan gives you better results than a general workout. Because he knows your physical condition and medical background, he is able to make adjustments to the program to best fit your needs.
Motivation
Lets be honest, its pretty darn easy to avoid the gym! Motivation is often difficult to maintain when you exercise on your own. Regular PAID sessions with a Personal Trainer enhance your motivation to continue with a workout regimen. Even if you don’t use a Personal Trainer for every session, knowing that you’ll meet with your trainer soon will motivate you during your personal workouts. Your trainer will also see the improvement you’ve made as your exercise program proceeds… another way to stay motivated!!
Accountability
Another common problem is lack of commitment to a regular exercise program. This seems to go hand in hand with motivation! When you exercise on your own, it is easier to skip a session here and there or fall off the wagon completely since there’s no one to hold you accountable for your actions. When you work with a trainer, he keeps you accountable, making it a lot more likely that you’ll stick with your training program.
Variety
Change it up! A trainer with lots of experience, teaches you a variety of exercise methods, which keeps you from getting bored. If a specific exercise does not work for you, the trainer can change it up to one that suits you better while providing the same physical benefits… and all the same good sweat! As you progress, trainers help you make adjustments to ensure continued progress.
Efficiency
A good Personal Trainer is able to make the most of your workout time, which increases the efficiency of your exercise program. This is especially crucial when you have a limited amount of time to exercise – toddlers in daycare, on a lunch break or the bus/carpool pick up. If you have to cut your 1-hour training session short one day, your trainer can complete a routine with you that burns the same number of calories and provides the same physical benefits in half the time.
I’ve worked with several trainers over the years. The most beneficial time in my life was between and during my pregnancies. My last trainer was with me during and after my third pregnancy. He taught me SO much about my form, pushed me to my limits and gave me the confidence to run faster, lift heavier, jump higher and not to stop even if I thought I was going to die. He taught me a lot about Cross-Fit and strength training and was with me every step of the way to get my pre-baby body back. He not only gave me a window into my own personal strength, he was a friend and confidant during some very difficult years of my life. Although I no longer work with a Personal Trainer now, my past trainers gave me a foundation for my love and passion of physical fitness. Now I am blessed to call many of my fitness instructors at my gym some of my very closest friends, however the skills and techniques I learned while working with my trainer benefit me every day. Fitness is a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image media=”49836″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]My friend Clay Harrelson @ccharrelson13 is a Personal Trainer in the Baltimore, Maryland area. He is a holistic health advocate, sports performance coach, and a fitness model. Clay has been inspiring me for the last several years with his vast knowledge in nutrition and fitness. I always learn something new when we are together or we enjoy experimenting with various foods in the kitchen. He taught me the importance of knowing where my water comes from, drinking herbal teas, and the benefits of adding in dried dandelion to my smoothies… just to name a few. If you are in the Baltimore area and seek a personal trainer with extensive knowledge in nutrition, please let me get you in touch with Clay! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
