When you think of a personal trainer, celebrities getting in shape for a movie role or big public appearance may come to mind. In reality, a personal trainer isn’t just for the elite. Anyone interested in fitness could use the help of someone with experience developing an effective and safe exercise regimen.
Most people have some sort of hurdle to overcome when starting their fitness journey. For some, they must accommodate a disability. Others have the drive but not the experience, and still others are knowledgeable but lack motivation. Or it could be feeling straight-up intimidated by all the equipment in that gym or fear of being judged by others.
This is where a personal trainer shines. An expert with the best personal trainer certification will know how to start right where you are, will listen to what works for you or not, and help knock down those barriers that are holding you back. They’re also there for your support and accountability. A personal trainer will motivate you and take the guesswork out of safely reaching your goals. Let’s take a look at the seven best benefits of working with a personal trainer.
Safety
It’s easy to overlook how important safety is when working out. A personal trainer knows the ins and outs of every exercise, machine, and technique. It’s all too easy to overdo it or perform an exercise incorrectly. Your personal trainer will help you with correct posture and form, and keep you from overdoing it. You won’t meet your fitness goals if you are spending all your time recovering from a preventable injury by going it alone.
Personal Roadmap
The whole idea of a personal trainer is that it’s personal. Communicate with your trainer about your goals and limitations so they can develop a plan tailored just for you. They can help make your workouts as easy or challenging as you need them to be, and add enough variety that you stay challenged and are never bored. Your personal trainer can spot you during weightlifting or even work out right alongside you. Now that’s personal!
Education
Your personal trainer isn’t just there to get you to that last bench press. They need to hold certifications and earn continuing training hours to stay up on their skills. A personal trainer can advise you on general nutritional information and activities between your sessions. They’re knowledgeable about physiology and methods of behavior change, and can help bring your fitness goals into every aspect of your daily life.
Accountability
We’ve all had that boost of excitement when getting a gym membership only to find that it’s harder each day to show up… Until you finally stop altogether. A regular schedule and checking in with your progress about your eating habits can help overcome this. You don’t want to let your trainer down, after all! Don’t forget that it’s also an investment in time and money, so you’ll certainly want to make the most of it.
Training for an Event
Maybe you have an upcoming 5K run and you know that you’ve spent too much time on the couch bingeing your favorite show. Your personal trainer will help you with the right workouts and conditioning to get you in shape more quickly. They can help you develop a training schedule in time for the event and help prevent injuries that could knock you back down.
Special Situations
A personal trainer can be a great addition to a physical therapist and help you meet your doctor’s fitness expectations. Your trainer will know how to work around chronic injuries and disabilities or help with a fitness plan if you’re pregnant. Just make sure you’re following the recommendations of your doctor or physical therapist, and that your personal trainer is qualified to help with your specific conditions.
Mental Health
Enhancing your self-confidence by successfully meeting your physical fitness goals is a huge boost all on its own. But the benefits of working out with a personal trainer go well beyond that. Regular exercise provides a rush of endorphins and can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Your personal trainer will be in your corner every step of the way, cheering you on and finding new ways of supporting your success.
Taking it Home
Everyone can use some help getting on the right track for a life of physical fitness. A personal trainer can take the mystery out of achieving your goals and help you overcome your obstacles, one by one.
And your workout doesn’t have to end when you leave the gym. A personal trainer can help with a plan that is tailor-made, supporting a healthy lifestyle uniquely yours. Whether it’s weight loss or getting in shape, or you need that extra boost of motivation, a personal trainer might be the right choice for you.
