Posted on Feb 8th, 2022

If you’re looking to take your fitness to the next level, you may be wondering whether hiring a personal trainer is right for you.

Whether you’re new to exercising or the gym is your second home, working with a personal trainer can help you reach your health and fitness goals.

A certified personal trainer is someone who is trained in creating and implementing safe and effective exercise programs for their clients. In other words, they’ll help you work out and execute other lifestyle changes to reach your fitness goal.

Read on for 9 reasons why you might want to consider hiring a personal trainer:

1. Increases accountability

One of the most challenging parts about maintaining a workout routine can be just that — doing the workouts, and doing them consistently. Working with a personal trainer will give you the nudge you need to get your workout in.

2. You’ll learn about health, fitness, and your body

A personal trainer isn’t just there to make you sweat — you likely learn something from your time together, too.

To become a certified personal trainer through an accredited organization like the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or American Council on Exercise (ACE), a person must have a high school degree, as well as be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

That means your personal trainer knows a lot about human physiology and body mechanics, behavior change, exercise science, and more. They can help you learn proper form, how to use specific equipment, and what exercises will be most effective for you. 

You’ll not only likely see better results but also avoid potential injury this way.

3. Helps with goal setting

A personal trainer can help you set realistic and attainable goals based on your personal experiences and abilities, aiding you in your progress along the way.

And even if you just want to stay active or feel better, having a goal when you’re on a fitness journey, no matter how big or small it is, can be an important factor in keeping you motivated.

4. You’ll get an individualized plan

A quick Google search will yield many pages of workouts or programs you can follow, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best option for you. Having a personal trainer will ensure that you have an individualized plan that will give you the best results.

5. Flexible schedule and format

You can meet with a personal trainer in person at a gym weekly, several times a week, or even monthly — whatever works best for you. Nowadays, virtual personal training is popular, too.

In this format, you’ll work out at your home while you video conference with your trainer, who will guide you through the workout on your phone or laptop.

6. Promotes exercise variety

You may be a creature of habit when it comes to exercise, always gravitating to the same equipment at the gym or doing the same workouts at home.

A personal trainer can introduce you to exercises you may have never done before or would never have attempted on your own, decreasing your chance of boredom and hitting a plateau.

7. Nutritional advice

A certified personal trainer is not a nutritionist or a dietitian, so they’re not legally allowed to recommend meal plans or provide very specific recommendations about food, especially for clients who have underlying medical conditions.

However, personal trainers are allowed to provide general nutritional advice, which many clients may find very valuable as they navigate their health and fitness journeys.

Whether your goal is weight loss, muscle gain, or both, your diet plays a crucial role.

8. Helps your mental health

Personal trainers can help with several aspects of your mental health.

For one, there’s a notable amount of research that supports the positive effect physical activity can have on mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Exercise increases blood circulation to the brain, helping reduce stress and improve mood and cognitive function overall. Working with a trainer consistently will help you reap these benefits.

9. Promotes a healthy lifestyle change

Working with a personal trainer can help you develop good habits for a lifetime.

A personal trainer can give you the tools and support that you need to reach a health and fitness goal.

They can provide support, accountability, education, and a personalized plan of attack, so you may find working with one well worth the investment.

Original article on: https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/benefits-of-personal-training