Hiring a personal trainer isn’t cheap, and it’s not always an easy commitment to make. But it is a game-changer, which can make the time, money and effort spent completely worth it.
I have my own anecdotes about how different fitness professionals have had massive impacts on my life. My first personal trainer, a massive bodybuilding competitor named John, taught me about the importance of getting my form correct and pushing beyond my comfort zones. Another, a petite, Latvian woman who would exclaim “Ooh la la!” after a difficult workout, gave me a new way to frame my relationship with food and exercise altogether. And most recently, when by chance I was the only person who showed up for a class, a trainer decided to skip the workout and get to the bottom (pun intended) of my seemingly incurable hip pain. (As it turns out, it’s totally curable, with something as simple as a lacrosse ball and a series of stretches. Months of chiropractic appointments didn’t make a dent in my pain, but 30 minutes with this woman changed everything.)
I share these stories because I have experienced how effective working with a personal trainer can be. If you’re even considering it, don’t hesitate. And if my little anecdotes aren’t enough, here are some more concrete reasons why this kind of relationship is always worth it.
What Do Personal Trainers Offer?
A personal trainer creates and delivers safe and effective exercise programs for individuals or small groups. During a typical training session, a good personal trainer will:
- Demonstrate how to safely perform various exercises while minimizing injuries and improving fitness;
- Watch to ensure that clients are using the correct form and technique;
- Provide options or variations to accommodate any limitations or injuries;
- Monitor progress and adapt programs based on client health and fitness; and
- Provide information or resources about topics such as nutrition and lifestyle.
Once you’ve developed a relationship with your trainer, their role will change, as those listed responsibilities morph into something less tangible but invaluable. They’ll still be the ones planning your workouts and showing you how to do them, but they’ll also become an accountability partner, a teacher, a motivational source, a friendly support — and even an unofficial therapist. Any good trainer will recognize how to tailor your workouts according to mood, progress, strength or energy level, and be able to adjust accordingly. (Have a bad day at work? Pound it out on the treadmill. Still yawning after two coffees? You’ll feel more awake after working the ropes for a few sets.)
The bottom line is: many exercise regimes fail because people lack a clear plan, set unrealistic goals, experience boredom with repetitive workouts, or struggle with motivation due to discomfort or a lack of immediate results. Working with a personal trainer can help avoid those pitfalls.
Who Should Work With Personal Trainers?
A few years ago, it seemed like working with a personal trainer was something people did only if they had excess disposable income or were working towards some extreme fitness goal. But in the last decade, personal training’s popularity has risen due to a variety of factors, but mainly thanks to the growing awareness of the importance of regular exercise. A CNN Health article attributes personal training’s popularity to the large number of people who find it difficult to maintain an exercise regimen on their own, and the growing body of research that suggests personal trainers are the answer to many exercise regimen woes.
For example, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that gym members who trained under a personal trainer (rather than solo) saw significantly greater improvements in lean body mass and other aspects of fitness. A 2020 study published in Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine revealed that older veterans with numerous diseases and medical conditions were able to reduce their medication usage while undergoing personal training regimens. And another 2017 study found that participants in small-group exercise led by a shared personal trainer (who also provided individualized training) reported more energy, better health, greater self-confidence with exercising, and improved life satisfaction.
So who should work with a personal trainer? Anyone who wants to feel better.
How To Get Started
Personal training can be done remotely or in person, at home, in a gym, or even outdoors. Before you sign up, be sure to consider which option works best with your personality and lifestyle.
The first thing to look for in a new personal trainer is whether they have experience or specialty training in areas that are pertinent to your goals. If you’re just looking for someone to help you improve your general fitness, you probably don’t need someone who’s going to yell in your face like a demented drill sergeant, for example. It’s a good idea to interview a few prospective trainers first to ensure they will be a good match for your personal motivational style.
You should also shop around locally to compare what kind of programs different trainers offer, and what they charge. If you already belong to a gym, start inquiring about what rates and specialties they provide. I’ve also found that word of mouth is a great way to find a personal trainer. If you have a fitness-oriented friend, they can likely point you in the right direction. And as an added bonus, maybe you’ll gain a new workout buddy, too.
Top image by Jacob Lund, via Canva.com
