INVESTING IN YOUR BODY
If you’re interested in improving your health, fitness and body composition then a personal trainer could be a good choice. This blog post should tell you all that you need to know.
Choosing a PT
Before we get down to the good stuff, there are a few things you should be aware of when choosing a personal trainer. Your trainer should be:
· REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) registered, suitably insured, first aid trained and have a personal training qualification from a reputable organisation.
· someone that is interested in your specific goals and helping you get to where you want to be. The proposed programme should be appropriate to you and your fitness levels.
· someone that you get on with. This is a partnership; you need to get on with your trainer to reach your goals!
The value of a PT
The first question that I’m often asked as a personal trainer is, “How much do you cost?” Of course, this is a completely reasonable question. But rather than focusing on monetary cost, try to think about it in a slightly different way and ask, “What is the value of the service?” A good personal trainer should offer value in a number of different ways.
1. Effective use of your time
You learn proper execution of exercises and do workouts that are proven to get results.
There are thousands of ineffective exercises and programmes out there and as many, if not more, different ways to hurt yourself when working out - I’ve seen most of them (and even done a few).
Not everyone knows what to do in the gym and, even if you do, generic programmes are rarely suitable for everyone. A personal trainer should ensure that you use your time in the most effective and enjoyable way possible.
2. Progress
You are investing in a positive change to your health and you will see results.
A lot of people that start an exercise regime will see very limited results and many will quit within the first 3 months. With a personal trainer, you agree on a number of goals and a number of exercise sessions per week and you stick to it.
Your trainer should keep an accurate record of your body composition, fitness, strength and muscular endurance. This information should inform the basis of your programme, which you both become accountable to. Because remember, your personal trainer will want you to achieve your goals just as much as you do.
3. Passion
A good trainer cares about the fitness of their clients and of themselves. Exercise and nutrition are their passion and there is no denying that these topics can sometimes be extremely confusing. Your trainer should be there to support and motivate you into making positive changes while keeping things as simple as possible for you.
You are not just paying for a workout; you are investing in their skills and experience. When you finish working together you should be in a position to continue without your trainer; fitter, healthier and passionate about what you do.
4. Drive
You need drive and motivation in order to reach your goals. A good personal trainer will push you beyond your comfort zone while staying within your limit, even when you aren’t feeling your best!
5. Knowledge
Even when you do know what you’re doing, you need an exercise programme that is tailored to you, interesting, effective and, most importantly, one that is progressive and that you can stick to. Give your trainer your preferences and goals and they should design an enjoyable programme to achieve them. Don’t forget that even the best athletes in the world have personal trainers!
Personal trainers should not only ensure that you exercise in the safest and most effective way but they should also stay on top of the latest fitness research so you don’t have to. A good trainer will keep up-to-date on training methods and nutritional research - if they don’t have the answer to your query, they should go away and research it for you.
In summary
Ultimately, personal trainers offer a service and it’s vital that the price of that service is in line with what you can afford and what you are willing to pay. However, remember that with a good trainer you are receiving a lot of value for the money that you spend. Some people don’t think twice about huge amounts of money on nights out, clothes, beauty and weddings. And many of us readily invest thousands into repairing and maintaining our cars. With a personal trainer you’re investing in a proper and long-lasting approach to health and fitness. You only get one body, take care of it!
If you’re interested in investing in your health but you don’t know where to start, or you’ve been working out for some time with little to show for it, feel free to get in touch via the contact form for a complimentary consultation.
Anthony