Southport Magazine

The following are some common reasons I have heard from people as to why they have chosen to not work with a trainer. Ironically, these may actually be the exact reasons you should be working with one.

Reason #1: I have never really exercised before and I am afraid of looking foolish.

Personal trainers will educate you on how to exercise and teach you proper form so that you understand the movements and ensure you don’t get hurt. They will encourage you and support you as you learn. They will be patient as you take this very important step to take back your life. Sometimes not knowing where or how to start is the biggest roadblock for people starting to exercise. A good trainer will be excited to help you clear this roadblock and support you along the way. If you are still leery of judgmental eyes; there are many options to alleviate this. You could choose to work with a trainer in a private setting such as a one-on-one studio, you could work with an online trainer, or have a trainer come to your house.

Reason #2: I am out of shape and worried that I won’t be able to keep up.

Good trainers will determine exactly where you are starting with your current fitness level and meet you there. They will work with you to find the right path and gradually progress you over time. A good trainer wants to build you up with successes, not beat you down with failures. And these small successes over time will help you get in shape.

Reason #3: I am just too busy and I don’t think I will be able to commit or find the time.

A good trainer will help you work within your life’s demands and schedule. With proper planning and strategy, you will be able to work together to determine how to best fit exercise and nutrition into your busy schedule in a way that works for you. A good trainer can also create a more time-efficient exercise program, so you will be more likely to fit it in. He or she may also be able to develop an online program so you can follow a program on your own time, meaning you can workout at a time that fits your schedule not the trainer’s.

Reason #4: I have an injury or physical restriction and I am worried about getting hurt or making things worse.

Personal trainers will work to understand any physical restrictions you may be dealing with, then develop and prescribe a program that helps to improve the issue. If needed, they will find a way to work around the issue so as not to aggravate it. With proper exercise selection and technique, you would be able to move forward with exercise without adding a new injury or making the current issue worse. Better yet, a really good trainer may even be able resolve the cause of the physical restriction that has been holding you back.

Many people believe a personal trainer simply gives out Biggest Loser- style beat downs. If you aren’t crying or throwing up the trainer hasn’t done their job. Or you see the people on social media that are in great shape and are posting workouts that they do (after decades of hard work) and you try to follow along…feeling discouraged when you can’t. They are basically doing this to show how “Super-Fit” they are and make you feel unfit and wishing you could do what they do. Neither of these scenarios is a good example of a trainer you should want to work with…unless for some reason you like crying, throwing up, and living with pain.

Hopefully, you now realize what a good trainer can do for you. Take note of the repetitive reference to “good trainer,” as it really makes a difference. If you are maybe second guessing your choice of not working with a trainer, you will definitely want to find a good one. 

I suggest the following steps to finding yourself a quality trainer you to work with:

1.  Are they educated? Have they been certified by a reputable and qualified organization? There are websites out there that validate trainer’s certifications and experience. One example is https://pro.ideafit.com/fitnessconnect

2.  What kind of experience do they have? What are their reviews and testimonials saying? If you have a certain physical restriction or specific goal, have they worked with clients before with similar needs or goals?

3.  Ask your social network. Has someone you know used a trainer and they were happy with the level of knowledge and attention they received?

4.  Meet with them and ask questions. If they seem more focused on the sale than understanding you and your unique needs, you may want to meet with a couple of more. Make sure you feel comfortable with them and confident in their ability to help you.

If you were on the fence or on the other side of the fence entirely, I hope this article has changed your thoughts about what a personal trainer does or even more importantly, what a good trainer can do for you.

If you have any questions or other thoughts on the topic, I would love to hear from you!

Brian@BetterTogetherFitness.com