Fitness Programs Customized For Your Goals

Learn the benefits of hiring a personal fitness trainer. Discover the best times to hire a fitness trainer and what qualifications to look for.

There are numerous benefits to regularly working out. Regularly working out greatly reduces your chances of developing a noncommunicable disease. These diseases are not caused by infection, so they cannot be spread from person to person. These conditions are typically caused by a poor diet and lack of physical activity. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 40 million individuals die each year from noncommunicable diseases.

In addition to improving your health, exercising is also a good way to maintain a healthy weight. Exercising also improves your mood. Many individuals use a trip to the gym as a way to blow off steam after a stressful day. You are also more likely to feel confident about your appearance if you regularly work out. Exercising also provides an energy boost. When you work out, your cardiovascular system delivers more oxygen and nutrients to stimulate your body. It is also a good way to maintain a regular sleeping schedule.



Hiring a Personal Trainer

The younger you are, the easier it is to maintain your fitness. Younger individuals typically have much more energy. Part of this is due to less responsibilities. Many adults want to regularly work out, but feel they do not have the time or knowledge to properly exercise. Hiring a personal trainer is a great way to avoid both of these issues.

A common misconception regarding personal trainers is you must meet with them every day. Some plans do include daily meetings, but these are specialized plans intended for customers with specific goals. On average, you only meet with your personal trainer once or twice a week for short periods.

Working with a Personal Trainer

Every client has a different experience with their fitness trainer. This is because fitness trainers personalize their programs based on your needs. During your first meeting, the trainer asks many questions to determine what you are comfortable with and your overall fitness goals. They also take into consideration any issues you have which makes it harder to work out. This includes medical conditions and how often you normally work out. If you are out of shape, trainers start with a simpler plan to build up your endurance.

While you are making your plan, personal trainers will demonstrate the exercises to you. This ensures your safety and also guarantees you get the maximum benefits from your workout. This is especially important if you were previously working out alone and were unsatisfied with the results.

Personal trainers also help with motivation. Depending on your goals, it may take several months to start seeing results. It is easy to get discouraged during this time and feel like you are making no progress. Fitness trainers help you maintain a positive outlook on your workout. Your trainer may shift up your plan if you are not enjoying yourself, focusing on different areas so you are trying something new and staying invested in the workout. They can also reassess your goals so you feel more productive. If nothing else, some clients benefit just from having someone who is on their side and encouraging them not to give up, especially after a challenging session.

Finally, personal trainers keep you focused on your exercise. For some clients, the biggest issue with working out is solitude, causing them to slack off or grow bored and cut corners during the workout. Fitness trainers mix things up and use different methods to keep you invested and entertained during an exercise session.

When to Hire a Fitness Trainer

The most common reason to hire a fitness trainer is when you are not seeing the desired results after working out. In many cases, this is because there is a flaw with your workout regime, which a personal trainer corrects. Common issues include focusing on the wrong type of workouts which are at odds with your overall goals or using incorrect techniques while you exercise.

If you are unsure where to even begin with your workout, you can hire a fitness trainer for a few sessions. This is why many gyms offer new members a few sessions with a personal trainer. Your fitness trainer can explain the difference between broad type of workouts, such as weight training, cardio or flexibility exercises. In addition to showing you how to use equipment and which activities are right, they also explain how to make a schedule and maximize your workout time without pushing your body too far.

If you are already athletic and in good shape, you can hire a fitness trainer to take your workout program to the next level. Fitness trainers are experienced in all types of workouts and can come up with new routines to keep you challenged. You can also hire a fitness trainer if you are trying to exceed at a specific event, such as running a marathon.

Picking the Right Fitness Trainer

If you want to succeed at your workout, you must pick a personal trainer you are comfortable with. One of the first questions to ask a potential trainer is whether they specialize in a specific area. For example, some personal trainers only work with newer clients, while others focus on muscle building and not weight loss. Do not be afraid to ask about their overall experience and previous clients they worked with. If your trainer is partnered with a gym, ask if you can speak with a previous client.

Make sure your fitness trainer has the right certifications, especially if you are hiring a trainer from a third-party source. There are multiple certification agencies for personal trainers. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) is one of the largest agencies, but there is also the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), YMCA and IDEA.

Another consideration is cost. Your personal trainer must be upfront with how much their services cost. Most fitness trainers charge you on an hourly basis, but some either use a monthly rate or charge by session. The cost varies based on where you live, but on average, fitness trainers charge between $40 to $80 an hour. If you are part of a gym, you may have discounted services, or even free sessions based on your membership level.