The Trainer vs the Solo Fitness Enthusiast

When it’s time to hit the gym for a good workout, typically we have in mind what we want to accomplish. A flatter belly sounds wonderful, so the abs machine and crunches are first on the agenda. Next is diminishing that bit of extra flab underneath the arms, so weight lifting will surely tone that in time. Being even slightly physically eligible for that 5K in a couple months also sounds like a good goal, so let’s start running.

We walk into the gym to see an overabundance of machines available. Much like the cereal aisle, the first thing that comes to mind is: Where do I start? Additionally, we ask ourselves specifics such as how long should I do this for? Am I working with enough weight? I don’t want to hurt myself, but should I increase intensity more?

With so many options available to us, sometimes it’s difficult to choose one or another and just get started. While we may have specific goals in mind, it’s not always that easy to coordinate exact strategies on how to successfully accomplish them.

That’s where hiring a personal trainer comes in.

They understand the process and have probably gone through it themselves. They have a surplus of knowledge in the fitness field and can create a safe regime specific to each person. Plus they serve as a huge motivator and consequently get clients the results they’ve been waiting to see.

However, a lot of people question whether hiring a personal trainer is worth it. Sure they will give tips, tricks and educated answers, but once we hear the secret recipe, we can just go off and do it ourselves. Sounds like a foolproof plan, but in reality there’s plenty of reasons working out alone won’t always get us the results we want.

Working out alone requires motivation and accountability.

Are you willing to push yourself to the limit and on a consistent basis? Will you be able to overcome emotional and physical roadblocks that will arise? Do you have a support system such as family or friends, and will they be there when you need them?

Often times when we rely solely on ourselves, we tend to fall short of our original promise. We barter our way into thinking “well that’s good enough for now, I’ll definitely do better next time” and eventually our original goals and aspirations diminish down into something more readily attainable.

Additionally, getting results from working out alone also greatly depends on one’s personal knowledge of fitness. We may understand the basics, such as cardio or weight training, but when it comes to body composition and creating a plan that exercises every muscle of the body, expertise is everything.

A personal trainer is an investment that pays off in physical results and mental understanding. They are your motivation and accountability. They are the ones who will give you a reason to keep going when your frustrated and burnt out. They also serve as a resource to keep you in a healthy mindset so you won’t be tempted to drop everything after working so hard.

The benefits that come with a personal trainer tend to outweigh the uncertain side effects that could come with taking on the challenge yourself. While there are people who are capable of doing it themselves, those that have tried and failed in the past should greatly consider a trainer.

Before Hiring a Personal Trainer

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