Why Should You Hire a Personal Trainer?
Most of us walk into a fitness center and aren’t sure what machine to use, which cardio we should start on, or how much weight is too heavy. These are all things a trainer could answer on the fly. Even if you think you know what you’re doing, there are so many reasons why you should hire a personal trainer. Take a look at our top six reasons.
Make Goal Setting More Manageable
Many of us already have a goal in mind when we book an appointment with a trainer, but it’s usually large or broad, like losing 30 pounds or feeling better in your body. How do you translate that into smaller, attainable goals? When we set those large goals and are on our own to make them happen, we tend to throw ourselves into it, and usually, that results in burnout.
So, instead of signing up and attending ALL the classes your gym offers and then being unable to move the next day because your entire body is sore, your trainer will help you break down those goals into smaller attainable chunks. This method typically causes burnout and injury, thus the importance of attainable goal setting.
Be Held Accountable
We’ve all read our to-do lists and decided, “I can do that tomorrow.” This is a pretty effective procrastination technique. When it comes to physical wellness, many of us find it hard to motivate ourselves to go to the gym—especially when it’s a new priority we’ve added to our schedule.
Having an appointment with another person makes it much harder to blow it off. It’s harder to cancel when it affects someone else and their schedule, and depending on the cancellation policy, you’re losing out on a session in your package. Plus, if you like your trainer on a personal level, you’re more likely to show up and enjoy your workout. Showing up to your appointments, even when you don’t feel like it, will motivate you to stick to your new routine.
Prevent Injury and Improve Form
It may be surprising to hear, but some of us lack body awareness. This means we don’t realize we’re doing an exercise incorrectly, therefore not engaging the correct muscles. This can create further muscle imbalances instead of correcting them.
Having a trainer watching your movements and being able to make those adjustments is a huge asset to ensure you’re not only working the right muscles but will prevent injury as well. Everyone’s body is different, and we have different lifestyles and life experiences. A trainer will assess how your body has developed or worn down over the years and determine how to move forward. This will help keep you healthy and doing what you love, all while protecting those troubled areas.
Knowledge Base
Have you ever walked into a gym and become overwhelmed by all the machinery and other patrons who seem to know what they’re doing? Most of us aren’t sure where to start and don’t have the time to research what we should be doing.
Personal trainers are taught to assess a person's physical fitness level and construct a workout (including exercise and weight) that fits the person's fitness level, any previous injuries or concerns, and the overall goals. This removes all the guesswork from the workout. A good trainer will demonstrate the movement first. When they watch you during the exercise, they should actively spot you and correct your form.
How to Use Equipment Properly
Equipment being used in an alternative manner than its intended purpose is, unfortunately, something we see far too often. In a gym setting, this can be particularly hard to handle as not everyone is receptive to advice or direction. Don’t be one of those people!
Even if you know what type of workout you should be doing, at least have one session with a trainer (most gyms offer a complimentary orientation session). Let the trainer know what you’ll be doing and that you wish to review how to use specific machines. You could even make a bi-monthly appointment to switch up the workout and review the equipment.
The Usefulness of Adaptive Exercise
Unless you’re a professional athlete, you probably use an injury as a reason to skip going to the gym. We get lots of these excuses to cancel or skip sessions with trainers. Oh, I hurt my shoulder, and I can’t come today. But you still have two good legs, one good shoulder, and your core to work with. Guess what, you're paying your trainer to make those adjustments for you! They should know how to avoid working that injured area while still giving a challenging workout.
Adaptive exercise doesn’t always apply to physical ailments. Your trainer should be able to consider your emotional well-being and personal preferences. Some clients want a hard workout when frustrated about something, so maybe their trainer will work them extra hard. Some clients may wish to take it easy when they are upset, so their trainer will give them a feel-good workout, not pushing too hard but still getting them moving.
Just Hire a Trainer
Bodies are complex, and everyone’s is different. Trainers are required to have certifications and attend yearly Continuing Education workshops. It’s the same concept as hiring an electrician or a plumber for wiring or water issues in your home: Hire a professional who knows what they're doing!
Give Park Avenue Fitness a call to get your health and wellness journey started.
