What to Expect When Working with a Personal Trainer
Okay so, you’ve seen Instagram reels, TikTok videos and blogs out the wazoo with plenty of information, meal plans, technique videos and more related to the fitness industry. You may wonder why you should bother paying for a personal trainer when you can put together your own plan with what’s already out there — free of charge.
The reality is, personal trainers offer much more than just an hour-long workout that leaves you feeling tired or sore.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIETITIAN AND A NUTRITIONIST
So, what are the benefits to working with a trainer?
Assessments. Personal trainers will take the time to evaluate you, your fitness level and more with assessments and health questionnaires. This is a vital step to planning your exercise program. Trainers will gauge imbalances, weaknesses, tightnesses, injuries and more that need addressing. Although a client’s goal may be to lose or gain weight, personal trainers require an assessment of overall health to determine the path to that goal.
Personalized programming. Personal training is personalized (obviously). The program set aside for you is designed specifically with your body, your health and your goals in mind. A trainer is going to build a program that is built for you, just you, from warmup to cool down. Every exercise and movement is meant to advance your goals. Additionally, a personal trainer will assess progression and lack thereof during a workout. Then, they will alter workouts as they see fit.
Nutrition assistance. You can workout until you’re blue, red or purple in the face, but the reality is, reaching fitness goals is about much more than the workouts. Your nutrition on a daily basis is even more important. A personal trainer with a background and experience in nutrition will steer you clearly through your food journey, too. While most personal trainers don’t offer diet plans or nutrition programs specifically, they can recommend guidelines for optimal gain.
Accountability. If you think personal trainers are only going to hold you accountable for the one hour of work in the gym, you’re wrong. A good trainer will make sure you’re succeeding in the other 23 hours required of each day. The best part about working with a trainer is the regular motivation you’ll receive when you’ve veered off track.