There is no denying that a huge shift has taken place recently for the fitness industry since lockdown. It transformed the way people started working out and the way that personal trainers could operate and teach their clients. More and more individuals were now able to access workouts either for free or for low subscription fees, with people having no other choice than to exercise in their homes or train on their own. This trend has continued and has ultimately signalled an overall decline in the personal training side of the fitness industry.
The sheer volume of fitness available online has however meant that not all of it is safe, particularly for certain groups such as the pre or post natal market, the elderly, or those who have injuries and conditions, for example. As a trainer of women and in particular new Mums ,I would advise clients to avoid following generic workouts at home which do not take any specific considerations into account. This is when a personal trainer or qualified fitness instructor becomes absolutely invaluable.
Ultimately, whether you’re working out solo or you choose to have a personal trainer, it will depend on what is right for you, your individual goals, preferences and your life circumstances. Choosing a personal trainer can certainly have its merits and drawbacks so let’s delve into it.
Why choose a personal trainer over going it alone?
Expert Guidance and Knowlege: A personal trainer is qualified to bring their expertise to clients. They will design workouts that suit your goals, fitness level, and take into account any limitations you may have. This approach will ensure you get maximum effectiveness and minimum risk of injury. Personal trainers are certified professionals with in-depth knowledge of exercise physiology, nutrition, and fitness principles. They can provide workout and nutrition plans tailored to your specific goals, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, improved athletic performance, flexibility or overall health.
Motivation and Accountability: Many clients come to me saying they lack discipline when they are left on their own for motivation. Having your personal training session in your diary at a specific time and knowing that someone is expecting you will be a powerful incentive to stick to your fitness routine. Personal trainers are excellent motivators. They can push you to work harder and stay focused during workouts, helping you achieve your fitness goals faster. They also provide emotional support, helping you overcome challenges and setbacks.
Proper Form and Technique: This is a really important benefit as if you’re working out on your own or even in a large fitness class, there is potentially no one there to correct you. Ideally you want to get the most out of each exercise and make sure you’re not at risk of injury due to improper technique or execution and a personal trainer is there to guarantee this. Personal trainers are skilled in identifying potential risk factors and providing exercises to help prevent injuries. They can work with you to strengthen weak areas and improve overall body mechanics.
Variety and Progression: Personal Trainers keep your workouts interesting and constantly progressing. They do this by adding in various exercises and equipment to keep your brain ticking and your muscles guessing and building. Trainers will also keep track of your progress and make adjustments as needed to avoid plateaus and make sure you are improving each session.
Efficient Workouts: I often hear clients say they need someone there to push them. A personal trainer will optimise the time you have together. They will design a workout that targets specific muscle groups, increases your cardiovascular fitness, and is as efficient as possible to reach your best potential. This will help you to get the most out of your workouts.
Nutritional Guidance: PTs are also trained in offering nutritional support which can either come in the form of advice to help you make better food choices or can be a bespoke meal plan to complement your fitness goals. The holistic approach will ultimately make you fitter and healthier and can be invaluable to individuals who are looking for personalised help to achieve long-term success.
Specific Training or Goal Achievement : If you’re training for an event such as a triathlon, a personal trainer can offer a tailored plan to ensure you are prepared and in the best possible shape to take on whichever particular challenge it might be, whether it’s running, cycling, swimming, or weight training for example. It could be that you are weaker in a certain area and the personal trainer will guide you to build strength, increase speed, or lengthen the duration gradually to ensure better performance and get you to hit those PBs.
Stress Relief and Improved Mental Wellbeing: Having regular exercise with the guidance of a personal trainer can help to reduce stress and has proven to boost mood and enhance mental health. Trainers can incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques into your sessions to promote an overall sense of wellness.
Confidence Building: Many of my clients have come to me after having had a bit of time off exercise for different reasons which may have caused a lack of overall confidence in their own fitness ability. In these cases, individuals may prefer guidance from someone experienced to lead them back on the path to fitness and to have belief in themselves again. Others may be trying something completely new and the lack of knowledge in this area causes a feeling of anxiety or nervousness. Having trust in someone else to teach them specific skills, whether old or new, will help make them feel more at ease with the process.
On the flipside, here are some reasons not to go down the Personal Trainer route…
Cost: Personal Trainers do come with a heftier price tag, particularly those with lots of experience and an impressive client base. The hourly rates can vary widely and these costs can put some people off seeking their services.
Scheduling and Availability Challenges: Coordinating your timetable with the personal trainer can be somewhat challenging, particularly if you have a busy lifestyle and your trainer has limited availability. Consistency is key for continuous progress and missed sessions would hamper this.
Limited Flexibility: Depending on where the PT is based, you may be constrained to working out in a specific venue or location like the gym or their studio. This may limit certain workout options, particularly if you need to work outdoors, near a pool, or at home.
Self-Confidence and Trust: Many feel like they already have the skills, confidence and self-discipline to carry out their own fitness regime or training schedule so do not require a personal trainer. They might also prefer the space and freedom to exercise or train in their own time and on their own terms as opposed to feeling directed or guided by an external party.
If you have decided to invest in a personal trainer to help you achieve your goals, it’s a big decision so here are my Top Tips when it comes to choosing the right PT for you:
- Check they are suitably qualified and have the right credentials
- Check their website for testimonials, reviews and previous results with clients
- Ask for a consultation first to see if they are the right fit for you. Will their personality and approach get the best results for you longterm?
- Ask for their experience of training in the area you want to work on and do they work at the level you want?
- Have they asked all the right questions and are not going to offer a one-size-fits-all solution?
- Will they cover nutrition and to what extent will you need that support as well as the fitness side of things?
- Do some research on their costs – do they fit your budget?
- Ask what additional support they offer if needed outside of the sessions you have together, i.e do they give you a plan to do at home, send regular advice or have an online capacity such as an app or workout library?
- If flexibility is important to you, speak to them about this. For example, if you need to change location or be able to change a session, is it easy to do that?
- Don’t be afraid to tell them what you want, like or dislike. It could be wasting your time to stick to a plan that is not getting the results you came for or to be doing certain exercises that you dislike. Remember, it’s an investment so you want to get the most out of your sessions but also to be enjoying them at the same time!
