Personal Training – What is it?
Personal Training can be an excellent resource whether you're a beginner or an experienced exerciser. A good trainer can help you figure out what to do with your time, teach you how to exercise correctly and provide accountability and motivation.
Whether you want to look good for your wedding or a holiday, or you simply struggle with the commitment of a long term plan exercise program, personal training could be the answer. Personal training helps by providing structure, results, variety and motivation. There are thousands of professionals available to meet a variety of budgets and fitness needs.
You'll start with an initial consultation to assess your current state of health and define your fitness goals – lose weight, improve posture or simply get fitter. This gives you an agreed starting point, and also a benchmark against which to measure your progress. A good personal training program will be changed regularly, not only for variety, but also to allow for continued progression. The program should be flexible – most coaches offer either one-to-one coaching or sessions with partners or friends.
Who is it for? Who will get benefit most?
If you want to lose weight, get healthy and/or build muscle, hiring a personal trainer can be a step in the right direction. A good trainer can help you set up a program that meets your goals and teach you the best way to exercise.
Here are a few reasons why people hire personal trainers:
1) You're Not Seeing ResultsIf you've been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren't seeing the changes you'd like, hiring a trainer may be a good choice. A trainer can look at your current program and eating habits and help you see where you could make changes to create more effective workouts. A trainer can also help you determine if the goals you've set are realistic for you.
2) You Don't Know Where to StartKnowing how to set up a balanced schedule that includes all the activities you need to do can be confusing. The great thing about a trainer is that he/she can help you maximize your time while helping you stay within your own limits so you don't overdo it. He can also help you set goals and map out a specific schedule so you know when, how and where you'll fit in your workouts.
3) You're Bored with the Same Old WorkoutsIf you're an experienced exerciser, maybe you haven't considered working with a trainer. But it can be a great choice if you need some variety in your workouts. A trainer can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to challenge both your body and your mind. Even if you just do a few sessions or meet every few weeks, you'll find it refreshing to have new workouts and new exercise toys to play with.
4) You Need to Be ChallengedIf you sometimes tend to slack off on your workouts, especially when things get tough. A trainer can motivate you to push past those self-imposed limits, encouraging you to lift heavier, go longer and challenge yourself more than you would on your own. You'll find it's very hard to slack off with a trainer standing over you, telling you to do just...one...more...rep!
5) You Want to Learn How to Exercise on your OwnEven if your goal is to create your own workouts and exercise by yourself, hiring a trainer for a few sessions can be a great benefit for learning the right way to exercise. This is especially true if you want to learn more about the muscles in your body, the exercises that target those muscles and how to do those exercises with great form. Just a few sessions can teach you a lot about your body and how it works.
6) You Need Accountability and MotivationTrainers come with built-in motivation. Not only are you investing money into your exercise program...you're investing time as well. There's nothing like a standing appointment to get your butt in gear for a workout. Not only that, a trainer provides some accountability so, even when you don't have a session, you know your trainer will be asking if you did your planned workouts. Just knowing that may make it harder to skip your workouts.
7) You Have a Specific Illness, Injury or ConditionIf you have any specific issues like arthritis, heart disease, old injuries, etc., working with an experienced trainer (who works with your doctor, of course) can help you find a program to help heal injuries and avoid any further problems. It's also a great idea to work with a trainer if you're pregnant and want a safe, effective workout to keep you healthy and fit.
8) You're Training for a Sport or EventIf you're training for a marathon, a golf tournament or some other type of sport or event, an experienced trainer can help you figure out what you need to do to stay strong without taking away from your other training. She/he can also help create a training program and map out a plan for the coming event.
9) You Want Supervision and Support During WorkoutsSome people know how to exercise and they even know how to do the exercises correctly, but they like having a trainer around for support and supervision. If you're lifting very heavy weights or need someone to help with partner-type exercises, working with a trainer might be a good choice for you. He/she can spot you during workouts and help you come up with a good training plan for your goals.
10) You Want to Workout at HomeIf you'd like to exercise at home but either don't have a lot of equipment or aren't sure how to use what you have, in-home personal training is an excellent choice. A trainer can show you exactly how to use what you have to get the best workout for you or she/he can bring equipment with them to give you a great workout. She/he can also make recommendations for equipment that will help you reach your goals.
How does it work?
A personal trainer will assess your fitness level, set up a program for you and keep you motivated. He or she will push you past your comfort level--something difficult to do on your own. A trainer also provides:
guidance on reaching your goals
education about strength training, cardio and basic nutrition
a reason to show up at the gym each week
accountability
ways to help track your progress
Having a regularly scheduled appointment is great for maintaining your motivation. Not only will you have someone else to report back to, you'll also be taking part in a structured and realistic program designed to deliver maximum results in the minimum of time. The emphasis should be making exercise fun, so that you have the motivation to not only meet, but exceed your goals. A typical program will generally combine Aerobic (CV), resistance (weights) & flexibility to give you the workout that suits you best. With this much flexibility combined with the benefits of exercise, you can't go wrong.
What does it involve?
Each session lasts about an hour.
The first meeting is devoted to assessing fitness level, body measurements, exercise and health history and goals. Be prepared to step on the scale, have your body fat tested and answer specific questions about your goals. After that, you'll spend most of your time on strength training and cardio.
What are the benefits and the side effects?
Increased sense of well being
Improve muscle tone
Reduced body fat and weight loss
Psychological benefits, including improved self-image and self-esteem.
Regular exercise plays a significant role in increasing energy levels and reducing fatigue. If you’re physically inactive and fatigued, being just a bit more active will help. Health professionals encourage regular exercise to prevent or improve symptoms of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity as well as reduce fatigue.
Other effects include fat loss, muscle gain, increased energy levels, lowered blood pressure, increased flexibility and range of motion.
Clients who are pregnant or have injuries or old injuries should seek medical advice first and give full explanation of condition to the trainer before training commences.