subject: The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Personal Trainer [print this page] The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Personal Trainer
The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Personal TrainerThe first time I walked into a gym I had a thought similar to those who came before me: I need a personal trainer. Why? I'm sure I was not the only one overwhelmed by the equipment and atmosphere and, to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. While you may feel the same way upon entering a gym, there are definitely pros and cons to hiring a personal trainer. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make your decision.PRO: Personal Trainers are MotivatorsTons of people go to the gym, spend a leisurely half hour on the treadmill, and then take their time going around the weight machine circuit often working with lower weights than they should be. If you don't have the motivation to step up your game, a session with a personal trainer may be just what you need to shake up your routine.CON: Personal Trainers Can Be ExpensiveYes, hiring a personal trainer will cost you some money. The average trainer may charge anywhere from $30 to $100+ for a private or semi-private session. If you want to work in a gym, you may have to pay even more to access the facilities. Some trainers will give you a significant discount for paying for a certain number of sessions in advance, but this is only beneficial if you have long-term plans for working with a trainer as opposed to needing one-time advice.PRO: Personal Trainers Can Tailor RoutinesA good personal trainer will be able to modify your fitness routine based on your individual needs. Disabilities, chronic illnesses, and past injuries will not scare a good trainer away. Experienced personal trainers know how to create fitness routines that will allow you to exercise safely without aggravating your medical conditions. You may, over time, find that exercising actually improves your condition and allows you to work out even more.CON: Lack of RegulationWhile most personal trainers do need to have some sort of certification to work in a gym, there are dozens of different certification programs for them to choose from and not all trainers commit themselves to ongoing education within the field. Your trainer should have a basic certification certificate as well as some additional certifications in terms of different exercise techniques, nutrition, group training, and more. The type of certificate you look for will depend on your needs.PRO: They'll Teach You How to ExerciseProfessional personal trainers won't just guide you through a series of exercises. They'll work with you to ensure you have a firm understanding of how each exercise is done so that you can repeat the drills on your own in between sessions. A good personal trainer knows that the goal is not to make you dependent on his abilities. He wants to make sure you know how to attack all of your muscle groups in a safe manner, whether he's present or not.These are, of course, just a few of the pros and cons associated with hiring a personal trainer. I know I need a personal trainer but I also know that I need to find a qualified, experienced trainer to help me reach my goals. You need the same type of guidance and you don't have to settle for less.
