People work with personal trainers for many reasons. Whether you want to develop an individualized program to support weight loss goals, get in shape, or feel that you’d benefit from the additional accountability or instruction, a personal trainer can be a great resource.
But sometimes, people are cautious about investing in a trainer. Cost can be an issue; some people might feel intimidated by working with a pro. But certified fitness professionals are trained to work with clients of all backgrounds and fitness levels. And many can work out package deals to make the service more affordable.
If you are starting an exercise program or don’t see results with your current routine, a personal trainer might be your best option. Here are 10 reasons why you might want to hire a personal trainer.
What Does A Personal Trainer Do?
Personal trainers work with you one-on-one to help design an engaging exercise regimen, help you with form, ensure you are working all your muscle groups safely, and more. The accountability of meeting your trainer for a set appointment can help stay on track and meet your goals. Personal trainers are excellent resources for beginners who need help getting started as well as for more seasoned exercisers who want to push themselves further.
You’re Not Seeing Results
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If you’ve been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren’t reaching your goals (whether you are seeking to lose weight, improve your performance at a sport, or build strength), there are a few ways a trainer might be able to help.
Evaluate Your Current Program and Goals
By looking at what you’re already doing, a trainer can suggest ways to change or tweak your workouts to make them more efficient and effective. A trainer can help determine if your goals are realistic.
Help You Stay Motivated and Keep Pushing
Knowing you have an appointment with a pro can help you maintain motivation to exercise. People often don’t see results because they’re not working as hard as they could.
It’s easy to slack off when you’re by yourself, but having someone to challenge you (and cheer you on) can make a difference. 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.
Provide Educated Advice
Whether you want to learn how to lift weights properly or do a new exercise, a trainer is a wealth of knowledge. For example, you might think you need to focus on cardio to lose weight, but you need strength training and core training, too, and a trainer can help you set up a plan.
You may be getting results—just not in the way you expected. You might gain muscle and lose fat, changing your body composition while your weight stays constant. While this is rare for those who’ve been training for a while, it’s a phenomenon that happens frequently among new lifters.
A trainer can see your situation more clearly from the outside and offer you a new perspective.
You might decide that you only need a few sessions with a trainer to hone your skills or get inspired. Once you get some new ideas for exercises and workouts, you might be ready to get back to a routine on your own.
What to Look for in a Personal Trainer
Most gyms have personal trainers on staff and offer attractive packages for personal training. You can also look online or use IDEA Fitness Connect to find trainers in your area.
The cost of a personal training session will vary depending on where you live and your trainer’s experience and education. The cost for a personal trainer varies based on where you live, what you are hoping to get out of the sessions, the package you choose, and the trainer’s personal experience and rates.
An effective personal trainer will listen closely to what you say and make sure that they understand your goals and will be focused only on you during your sessions. Most importantly, they will regularly assess your progress and make changes if necessary.
Things to Consider
- Business policies: The trainer should have liability insurance and provide a copy of policies and procedures for services, costs, cancellations, and refunds.
- Certification and qualifications: A personal trainer should be certified through a reputable personal training organization, such as ACSM, ACE, IDEA, YMCA, or NSCA. Your trainer should have an updated certification in CPR and/or first aid.
- Experience: Make sure your trainer has the experience, especially in relation to your goals. For example, if you’re a bodybuilder, you want someone knowledgeable in that area.
- Specifics: If you have a specific medical problem, injury, or condition (such as being pregnant, difficulty getting pregnant, heart problems, diabetes, etc.) make sure your trainer has an education in these areas and will work with your doctor.
What a Session Is Like
A personal training session usually lasts about one hour. Your first meeting with your trainer will be devoted to assessing your fitness level, taking body measurements, talking about the exercise you already do, getting a health history, and setting some goals.
Be prepared to step on a scale, have your body fat measured, and answer specific questions about your fitness goals.
After your initial meeting, you’ll spend each session doing cardio, weight training, flexibility exercises, or other activities depending on your goals. A trainer will show you how to do each exercise, help you figure out how much weight to use, and give you pointers for getting the most out of your workout.
A Word From Verywell
Hiring a personal trainer is an important investment in your health. It’s a good idea to take some time to be sure that you hire someone that accommodates your specific needs. Ask friends or colleagues for recommendations, but keep in mind that if their goals are different than yours, their trainer may not be the best fit. Once you’ve hired your trainer, keep the lines of communication open. Provide constructive feedback to help them guide you to success.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is it worth getting a personal trainer?For many people, it is. A trainer can help you to reach important goals, help you to return to fitness after an injury, or simply provide motivation and accountability when you need it the most.
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How long does it take to get in shape?Everyone’s fitness journey is different. The time it takes for you depends on your starting point and your goals. But if you exercise regularly, you should start to see changes in the way you look and feel in a couple of weeks.
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What does a personal trainer do for you?A trainer can make your exercise program safer, more effective, and more fun. They also provide expertise, accountability, and support. If you’re training for an event, a trainer can help you to feel more confident on your big day. If you don’t feel that your trainer provides a benefit, it might be time to find a new trainer.
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How many sessions do you need with a personal trainer?How many sessions you choose to do with a personal trainer is a choice you can make as you go. Starting with about 12 sessions will give you a very good basis for learning a variety of exercises and programming. However, there is no reason to stop using a personal trainer as your programming should adapt over time and a trainer will know how to do that.