Should I hire a personal trainer?

This post is brought to us by local guest blogger Rebecca of the blogs Relish and Everything is ticketyboo!

Let’s Get Personal

One of the most common comments that I hear from new members at the gym is “I just don’t know where to start.” This is especially true for people that are not just new to the facility, but to exercise in general.

I remember how intimidated I felt during my first visit to the gym. During the tour, I nodded politely and feigned excitement over the various machines, but, truth be told, I had no idea what 90% of the equipment was used for. After my orientation, I did what I am sure most people do – I hopped on a treadmill and started walking. It wasn’t until I became more comfortable (and, let’s face it, bored) that I started to think about personal training.

I’m still kicking myself for not hiring a trainer sooner, but I’m sure most people start out with the same misconceptions that I had – personal trainers are for celebrities, athletes and trophy wives; personal trainers are prohibitively expensive; personal trainers are mean.

Myth #1: personal trainers are not for the average Joe (or Jane). Are you kidding? Personal trainers are for everyone – whether you are a newbie getting into shape for the first time, a pro looking to increase performance, or fall somewhere in-between. The key is finding the personal trainer that is right for you.

Just as you would interview a babysitter for your kids, you’ll want to interview personal trainers before you sign on the dotted line. This is your chance to see what they can offer you, and also if your personalities and philosophies mesh.  Trust your instincts – you want to make sure that you will be comfortable putting yourself in their hands (often literally!)  Ask about certification and experience, but don’t be afraid to delve a little deeper. Ask your potential trainer what they like to do to keep themselves fit, and what fitness obstacles they have had to overcome. And don’t be afraid to ask for references!

Myth #2: personal trainers cost a fortune. I’m not gonna lie, some do, but that’s not true of all PTs. If you take the time to shop around, you’ll see that rates vary – and there are many ways to stretch your training budget.

When money is not an object, you are free to see a trainer whenever and however often your schedule allows. (Oh, wouldn’t that be nice…) But, if you need to be a little more frugal and can self-motivate, have your trainer put together a plan that you can work on to extend the time between PT sessions. Some trainers offer package deals, small-group workouts, or “boot camps” that are often less-expensive than the cost of a private session. Location can be a factor that affects cost, too; find out if there are additional costs for house calls or on-location sessions.

Myth #3: personal trainers are just drill sergeants in sneakers. I’m sure some are, and there is probably a market for that sort of thing, but most of us would rather not be yelled at.

The personal trainers that I have met (and I have met quite a few) all share a few common traits – they are knowledgeable, they are motivated to get people fit, and they are NICE. Really. I can’t imagine that someone who treated their clients poorly would get any repeat business or referrals, but there are probably a few bad eggs out there. Once again, follow what your gut tells you! Do your homework, ask lots of questions, and offer to pay for a trial session to see if you “click”. No matter which style of trainer you prefer (drill sergeants included!), you should be comfortable with your choice.

My personal (trainer) story:

Several years ago, at the very beginning of my fitness journey, the notion of hiring a personal trainer was very foreign to me. But, as I said before, I was bored, bored, bored with my workouts. I didn’t have much money to spend, but the club that I belonged to was having a “sale”, so I took my chances and made an appointment.

After meeting with my assigned trainer, I knew that we were a match. She was friendly, a wealth of information, and had a lot of great ideas for me. I had a limited budget, so we worked out a scheme that would keep me working towards my goals, but not cost me a fortune in the process. I met with her bi-weekly at first, and then monthly, to check my progress and switch-out my personalized program cards. We worked together like this for over a year and I wouldn’t have had half the success if I had done it on my own. The programs that she made for me kept me interested and challenged, and our sessions together kept me accountable.

Keep Well…Rebecca

Guest blogger Rebecca in canola fieldRebecca is a Certified Spinning Instructor, fitness instructor, blogger (Relish and Everything is ticketyboo! ), artist, reluctant morning person, and notorious killer-of-plants. She lives in a foliage-free home with her teenage son, Jacob.

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