Ten reasons to work with a personal trainer.

1. Personalized Workouts

One of the many benefits that come with working with a fitness coach is receiving a personalized exercise program. This program will be based on your exercise history, experience, goals, ability and limitations. A fitness coach will take the time to learn all about your history with exercise and current goals to create a program tailored to you. It will also work around your schedule. Depending on the amount of days and time limitations you have to workout, a coach will create a plan to make it work for you. Whether it is twice a week for an hour, or five times a week for thirty minutes, the coach's job is to make the plan fit into your schedule, not the other way around. 

2. Accountability and adherence 

One of the main struggles I hear from potential clients is lack of adherence. Sticking to a consistent exercise routine longer than a few weeks can be a major challenge. Lack of adherence can be due to burn out, loss of motivation, or limited time. Making set appointments and meeting with a coach weekly can help keep you on the desired routine you set for yourself. If you struggle with this, the chances are higher that you will show up not just for yourself, but because the coach is there waiting for you. Especially in the beginning of starting a workout program, having someone there to meet you and hold you accountable is helpful. Once working out has become a part of your weekly schedule, you are much more likely to continue exercising long term. 

3. Proper form and preventing injury

Possibly one of the most obvious reasons to work with a trainer is to learn how to perform exercises correctly. Practicing proper form in the gym can make your workouts more effective. It is so important to establish a mind to muscle connection while strength training. Understanding what muscle you are working, along with knowing how to target that muscle will make the exercise as effective as possible for your body. Coaches also guide you on how to warm up to prepare your body and lift weights safely, preventing possible injury. 

4. Goal setting and progress tracking

A trainer can help you set realistic goals for yourself. When creating a goal, it's easy to focus on the bigger picture, saying “I want to lose ten pounds within a few months”, for example. A coach will break this apart into smaller pieces. What does that look like day to day or week to week? What steps need to be taken in order to achieve the goal? Maybe even changing the goal to focus on a decrease in body fat rather than pounds on the scale. I also encourage my clients to set not just physical goals, but habitual goals. Such as getting more sleep, prioritizing mental health, eating three meals a day, etc. 

5. Education

A good coach is a good teacher. My goal with my clients is to not just tell them what to do in the gym and what to eat, but to provide them with the knowledge of how to live a healthy lifestyle. When coaching I explain why we are doing certain workouts, how I am creating their program, how to look for and implement nutritious foods, what the progressions will look like and why. My hope for all my clients is to take this knowledge and use it throughout their life, even if we no longer work together. 

6. Long term life style change

Personal trainers will create a program for you that is doable based on your schedule and lifestyle that will not cause you to burn out. Quick fixes are not the answer to achieving your goals. Oftentimes we are attracted to fad diets or workout plans that advertise something like “lose ten pounds in two weeks”. When we try to change our lifestyle so drastically in such a short period of time, we experience a burn out and it does not last in the long run. Implementing small changes and sticking to small goals over time will create habitual changes that will last. Personal trainers will build programs that clients are confident they can achieve. Sometimes this can take a little longer to reach certain goals, but it is something they will be able to implement into their lives for an extended period of time. 

7. Constant variety / changes to avoid plateaus 

Another benefit of working with a personal trainer is receiving personalized progressions to your workout plan. Coaches will update your training program as you go through the weeks, changing exercises and rep ranges to keep you challenged. Coaches will also give guidance on the small changes that need to be made to get out of plateaus, such as increasing cardio, changing diet, etc.

8. Support during rehabilitation / aiding pain

If you have had previous injuries or have current pain in day to day activities, coaches can help create a plan to support these ailments. For individuals with previous injuries, once clearance from medical professionals has been given for exercise, coaches will structure a safe program to build up the muscles around the affected area. Individuals with pain in day to day activities, such as back or knee pain are a great candidate for personal training. Coaches have extensive knowledge on correcting and aiding this sort of pain. 

9. Efficiency (in the gym, knowing what to do/hitting goals)

One of the main struggles I hear from prospective clients is “I don’t know what to do in the gym”. Coaches not only guide you to help you feel comfortable with machines, but create a step by step workout so you know exactly what you are doing when you step foot into the facility. You will also reach your desired goals quicker with guidance from an expert. 

10. Motivation / encouragement

Last but not least, coaches are here to motivate and encourage you. One of the hardest parts of working out is getting yourself into the gym. Having a coach there to guide you through and motivate you as you go can be so beneficial. On bad days and good days, personal trainers will encourage you to do your personal best and not give up. That support can go a long way. 

Need more motivation or help? Reach out to Coach Emily today at EHoffman@etageathletic.com