The struggle to change our old habits and start living a healthier life with proper diet and exercise routines is real for more than 70% of all people. The majority of people either need to lose some weight, get back in shape, or increase physical stamina.
A personal trainer can help you to do all of those things. Personal trainers are motivational and inspirational, and they give you a reason to keep trying when you get discouraged.
A lot of people say that you can learn everything a personal trainer knows by reading the right material. You can also watch workout videos and read exercise books, so hiring a personal trainer is not worth the money. Are those nay-sayers right, or is a personal trainer worth it?
Main Reasons People Hire Personal Trainers
With all of the information that is available on exercise and weight loss, why would people hire personal trainers?
According to the CDC, with all of the information that is available about diet and nutrition obesity is still a major concern in the United States.
- 8% of adults between the ages of 20 to 39 years struggle with obesity.
- 3% of adults between 40 to 59 years struggle with obesity.
- 5% of adults 60 and older struggle with obesity.
The need to lose weight is one of the most frequently shared reasons why people reach out to personal trainers and exercise enthusiasts. We know what we should do but lack the motivation and self-control that would make us do those things consistently.
According to the CDC, only 23% of the population in the United States gets an adequate amount of exercise. We all know that we are supposed to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, but the majority of us fall short of that goal.
If we learned to get the right amount of exercise we could lose weight, we could increase stamina, could improve our cardiovascular fitness and more. The problem is that the majority of people lack the ability to motivate themselves to do the exercise.
Over 40% of the gym memberships are never used. People join gyms for fitness but they only go once or twice and then they give up.
People buy exercise equipment to use at home and end up storing laundry that needs folding on it rather than actually using it.
Personal trainers are able to inspire you to keep going even when you do not really want to keep going. Remember your PE teachers and how they pushed you to get off your keister and participate in physical activities when you were in school? Personal trainers are PE teachers for adults.
Pros and Cons of Having a Personal Trainer
There are good and bad things that apply to having a personal trainer. If you look at the list of pros and cons though you will see that there are a lot more pros to having one than there are cons.
Pros
- A personal trainer can help you develop a fitness and exercise routine that works for you. The same exercises that your friend does may not be what your body needs. A personal trainer can evaluate what your body strengths and weaknesses are and will help you build on those strengths and weaknesses.
- A personal trainer will motivate you more than you motivate yourself. Having someone tell you that you are doing good and having someone you know is counting on you to put in the effort will keep you from simply giving up.
- A personal trainer is going to be able to watch you and make sure that you are doing what is needed for your overall health and not just what you need to reach one goal.
- A personal trainer can help you establish realistic goals that you can meet.
Cons
- You have to find a personal trainer that fits your style and personality. Not everyone is a perfect match.
- Personal trainers do cost money.
- If you do not listen to the trainer, they cannot help you. A lot of people resist being told what to do or when to do it.
What to Expect from a Personal Trainer
When you do decide to hire one of these experts to help you with your exercise or health regimen you may not know what to expect.
During your first meeting, the trainer will make assessments about you that will help them to establish the best routine that will help you achieve your goals.
Assessments may include:
- Weight and height assessments to determine BMI
- Blood pressure checks
- Muscular strength tests
- Flexibility and range of motion
- Endurance and performance tests
- Posture tests
The trainer will also talk to you about what your goals are and your schedules and daily routines. They need to get to know you before they can help you.
How Long to Use a Personal Trainer
A lot of people wonder if they can hire a trainer to get them started in the right direction and then stop using them.
It is possible to hire a trainer to help you get started on your journey with the right diet and exercise routines. The length of time that you need the trainer will depend on you. Many people use a trainer just long enough to really get started, and some people continue to use a trainer for years.
Your trainer will become a friend, a workout partner, and someone that you can rely on. If you feel that you are ready to move forward without the trainer it is okay to talk to them about this and most trainers will give you advice on how to proceed in the best way.
Trainers are motivated to help people. Most of them have their own personal stories of weight loss or exercise needs and they will understand yours.
Final Thoughts
A personal trainer will help you to choose the right exercise program and the right diet to achieve the physical fitness goals you have.
