Is a Personal Trainer Right For You?

By Eduardo Lorenzo, NASM-CPT

If you are not satisfied with your health and fitness level and are tired of just going through the motions on your own, never really accomplishing any of your goals, then it’s time to realize you need help.

Perhaps you may think, hiring a personal trainer is expensive, or you may have some other valid concerns. I personally feel the same way!

However let me address the first issue; is a personal trainer expensive? Gareth Lynch-It’s not expensive when you compare it to surgery, liposuction, and other alternatives; that besides being expensive may not be safe as well. While at the same time you learn nothing on how to prevent your body from getting to the same place again after a couple of months or years.

True, that in today’s economy we need to plan ahead and be smart buyers. However you either invest in yourself today or regret it tomorrow and pay a bunch more in costly health issues or by being deprived of enjoying your life with those you love. (By the way Personal Training is not a lifelong commitment… being fit and healthy is!)

Reality is that personal training fees may vary from one location to another and from the experience and expertise of the trainer. But remember you are investing in yourself. Ask yourself, what price tag do you put on a healthy and fit body? Keep this in mind, how you treat yourself today will define you tomorrow… what goes around comes around!

Now comes your concerns: how do I know if I hired the right trainer? This is where I like to highlight the differences between any old personal trainer and a true Fitness Specialist. In my opinion any personal trainer might take your money, count repetitions and get you tired. A true Fitness Specialist, will motivate you, guide you through the right path, work hard with you in order to inspire and educate you and get you in the best shape of your life.

A true Fitness Specialist will be able to understand your background. He would consider whether you'd had surgery, or been injured, or even whether you wanted to compete in a Figure, Fitness or Bodybuilding show. A true Fitness Specialist is able to explain his methods of training and why they are effective and how they relate to you. Is there an assessment process? How long will it take to see realistic results? You get the picture.

What you are looking for is a reflection of trainer credibility and expertise. Anyone can print a business card with a muscle head or fit girl as their logo, and call themselves a trainer. SO… if the trainer makes cliché'd quips like, "I kick my clients’ butts…No pain, no gain, dude," thank them for their time and move on. Be an intelligent consumer. Ask for specifics and clarification if you don’t understand something. It’s your life you are trying to regain or looking to improve.
Also you should never base your selection solely on physical appearance.

A person with a flawless-looking body may not know the first thing about safely teaching proper exercise techniques or how they relate to your body. The person you hire will be teaching you skills and lifestyle habits and doesn’t need to look like a model in a fitness magazine. But trainers do need to practice what they preach. Let’s face it. Are you really going to respect someone’s opinion if you’re in better shape than they are? Probably not.

Above all, make sure you choose a trainer with whom you feel comfortable and whose personality is a good match with yours. Chemistry will go a long way towards your goals. Remember this…

ANY TRAINER can get you tired.

BUT A TRUE FITNESS SPECIALIST KNOWS HOW TO MAKE YOU BETTER!

ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE?

Eduardo Lorenzo specializes in sports performance, injury prevention, corrective exercises, physique enhancement and weight loss programs.