Can you lose weight without a personal trainer? Yes, can you build muscle without a trainer? Yes, can you gain weight without a trainer? Now, can you achieve all these goals with a trainer? absolutely.
In this article, you’ll gain more clarity about what is necessary and what isn’t. And at the end of the day, you’ll be able to make a decision.
Key takeaway
- Understand the worth of a personal trainer
- Benefits of hiring a personal trainer
- Cost
- Personal vs gym training
- And many more.
Is having a personal trainer worth it? (DIY fitness vs hiring a personal trainer)
Many people wonder if hiring a personal trainer is worth it, whether for weight loss, weight gain, or muscle gain. Well, the answer is both yes and no. Here’s why.
We live in a world where people feel there’s free information to help themselves. It’s so intense that many people decide to become their own doctors due to the contents being put out there. They believe they can get the help they need simply by googling it or YouTube-ing it. While it is very true that information is free in many ways, it shouldn’t always be taken as professional advice. Regarding the topic “necessity of having a personal trainer”, many people will blatantly tell you that you don’t need them, instead, there’s YouTube there for you.
However, what many don’t know is there is a difference between general “advice” and tailored” advice. Sometimes, general advice can work as tailored advice. It does depend on the situation. The answer to the question “Do I need a personal trainer to achieve my goals?” isn’t a one-way street. It all depends on your current needs, budget, and lifestyle.
To personally train yourself takes a lot of trial and error, which many people don’t have the time for. Some people want to begin their training and move to the top. Therefore, hiring someone to be by your side to train you may be the best option if you’re that person. Also, if you’re someone who just wants to improve your health, either by losing or gaining weight, by yourself, maybe at home or at a gym, then you may not require someone to train you.
Did you know that some people who have successfully transformed their bodies, also become fitness trainers? They stayed disciplined and consistent, applied some basic diet, and exercise information, and got their results. And afterwards, they became inspired to share their experiences, lessons, and tips with others as well either for free or for a price. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what YOU want.
What are the benefits of hiring a personal trainer?
Here are some reasons that hiring someone to train you is beneficial.
1 . Motivation and accountability
Hiring a professional to train you opens the “things are about to get serious” door. It’s going to be known that you’re about to put some real action into what you’re doing. This gives a form of motivation to push through. Let’s say your goal is weight loss, and you’ve lived a type of life for so long, that it wouldn’t be easy to just come out of it. The zeal to wake up every day and choose to exercise may never come.
However, the moment you hire a professional, some form of accountability that will come. A specific appointment will make it not likely that you show up regularly, on time, and put in the appropriate time to exercise. Often, people trying to lose weight may be highly motivated at first but may become discouraged and give up if they’ve not achieved their goals. However, your trainer will help keep you on track regardless of how quickly you see results.
2 . Expert guidance
Personal trainers are certified professionals and are likely to be more experienced than you and will already know effective exercises and diet strategies you can practice. They’d have worked with many clients and will have developed some expertise in this field. This will save you time as you won’t have to research and find the information yourself.
As mentioned above there is plenty of free information online, however, it’s not always easy to figure out what is helpful, and what is irrelevant or inaccurate. Thus, your trainer will already have figured everything out for you. Their expertise ensures that you perform exercises with proper form, reducing the risk of injury and promoting efficient muscle growth.
3 . Personalized workouts
One significant benefit of hiring a professional is the opportunity to have tailored workouts. PTs (personal trainers) assess your fitness level, goals, and any physical limitations to create a workout plan specifically for you. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a personal trainer ensures that every exercise is aligned with your objectives, maximizing your results. It’d be a different ballgame if you had to do all these by yourself.
4 . Injury prevention
There are techniques to every exercise and performing them wrongly can lead to injury. PTs closely monitor your form, ensuring you perform these exercises safely. They also adopt exercises to accommodate any existing injuries or limitations, making fitness accessible to people with various physical conditions. If you have injuries and you want to workout on your own, you must conduct enough research before going ahead.
5 . Variety in workouts
Personal trainers constantly introduce variety and spontaneity to your training to prevent boredom and plateaus. They can incorporate different exercise techniques, equipment, and training styles to keep your fitness journey fun and effective.
Cost of getting a personal trainer
The cost of hiring a PT can vary widely depending on factors such as location, the trainer’s experience and qualifications, the duration and frequency of sessions, and whether the sessions are conducted one-on-one or in a group setting. On average, personal training sessions in the United States can range from $30 to $100 or more per hour. However, celebrity or high-profile trainers may charge significantly higher rates, often exceeding the $100 rate. Above all, your needs are what’s important, and the quality of your trainer.
Personal training vs gym membership
A gym membership doesn’t teach you how to achieve your goals; it just gives you access to equipment. For this reason, it may not be beneficial for you if you don’t know the equipment types. However, there’s always learning! You can learn to use several pieces of equipment either by doing some research or simply asking for guidance at the gym. Some people at the gym are kind enough to offer advice during their training sessions.
On the other hand, a trainer will teach you the process and teach you how to use various equipment to achieve your goals. Therefore, all you need to do is decide which is worth it and pick your poison.
How to choose a personal trainer
Here are some ways to make the choice easier for you:
1 . Cost
This is a very important factor to consider when deciding whether to invest with them. They should be willing to negotiate a little and work with your budget. Make sure they have the clearance to provide training at a gym or a gym where you have a membership.
Often, it is best to work in the gym where they work, which makes it less expensive for them too. Some people don’t like to hire trainers at big gyms because they believe they are generally less experienced and cost way more. You can start small, find a smaller gym nearby at home or your workplace, and test out some experienced trainers (say 3–5 sessions or at least 1 or 2 free sessions) before you sign any long-term contract.
2 . Body style
You must hire a trainer that looks fit, in the form you want to be in. If they are too ripped, they will focus on that area for you. If they are more into fitness, you will be doing more cardio, if they are out of shape, they will not push you much, which is a red flag. When you see their ripped muscles, sculpted abs, tight glutes and rounded buns, well-shaped bust or chest, and proper body form, then you get motivated easily. In a case where constant visual motivation is important, you might want to consider their current body type.
3 . Chemistry match
No matter how good a reputation they have, if it does not match your personality, it will not work for you. If you do not like to be yelled at and pushed, you may want to look for someone who is milder in tone. Some pushing is necessary, but it has to be tolerable for you. So, observe and watch how they train others and how supportive they are. If chemistry does not match, you may not be willing to train for too long.
4 . Schedule and flexibility
If they can not work with your schedule, don’t bother paying, since you will miss many sessions and the training will not progress. Discuss their flexibility of missing some sessions or being late (say you pay some reasonable notice). If they are not willing to reschedule or give you some concessions, then you shouldn’t sign up. Every person deserves to work with who they can, make sure you’re comfortable with everything before committing.
5 . References
The only way to know if a trainer is that good is to speak with people who you see getting trained. Most will share their opinions easily when the trainer is not present. Also, watch how the person transforms, how long they have been with the trainer, and so on.
Online personal training vs. personal training (which is better)
One isn’t better than the other, once again preference takes hold.
Let’s see some of the differences
Personal training
- Cost is determined by hourly session
- 1-3 workouts per week according to paid sessions.
- Training times require set appointments
- Motivation during workouts
Online personal training
- Cost is monthly regardless of active days
- Workouts are outlined for an entire week/ month
- Train whenever it’s convenient for you
- No motivation during workouts, although some make an effort to speak to you like they are right next to you
- You may never have met them in real life
These are their differences, however, in theory, both should give results
4 signs of a good personal trainer
They ask you questions
- They look and act the part
- They provide support and answer your questions
- They have helped others reach the same goals
- They are willing to negotiate a little
4 signs of a bad personal trainer
- They don’t ask questions
- They’re out of shape
- You have to spend a bunch of money on supplements to get results.
- They don’t reply to your questions on time.
Always remember to look out for these things in a personal trainer before you hire one.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a personal trainer do?
A personal trainer is a fitness professional who helps people achieve their health and fitness goals. They provide customized exercise programs, instruction, and motivation tailored to their clients’ specific needs and abilities. They typically work one-on-one with clients, although they may also lead small group training sessions.
PTs perform various roles and tasks to help people achieve their health and fitness goals. Here’s an overview of what a PT does:
Assessment
Personal trainers start by conducting fitness assessments to evaluate their clients’ fitness levels, health history, goals, and potential limitations or injuries. This assessment may include body composition, flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and mobility.
Goal setting
After assessing the results and client preferences, they work with their clients to establish realistic and achievable goals. These goals may include weight loss, muscle gain, weight gain, improved cardiovascular fitness, increased flexibility, injury rehabilitation, or sports performance enhancement.
Program design
Personal trainers design personalized exercise programs tailored to the specific needs, abilities, and goals of their clients. These programs typically include a variety of exercises and activities, such as cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility exercises, and functional movements.
They provide instruction
During training sessions, personal trainers instruct clients on proper exercise technique, form, and progression. They demonstrate each exercise, guide their clients through workouts, and offer feedback to ensure they’re doing it safely.
Motivation and support
Personal trainers serve as motivators and accountability partners, during the training sessions. They provide encouragement, support, and positive energy to help clients stay motivated and committed to their fitness goals. They may also offer guidance on overcoming obstacles, setting realistic expectations, and staying focused.
Nutritional tips
While not all personal trainers are certified nutritionists, many do provide basic nutritional guidance and education to improve their clients’ fitness goals. They may offer advice on healthy eating habits, portion control, meal timing, and hydration.
They study their clients
PTs track their clients’ progress by monitoring key metrics such as weight, body composition, strength gains, cardiovascular fitness improvements, and commitment to the exercise program. They also make adjustments to ensure their clients continue to progress and prevent plateaus.
Should I get a personal trainer?
If you have wang both a friend and a teacher during your fitness goals then you should hire one. There are several benefits to getting a personal trainer, as mentioned above.
Disadvantages of a personal trainer
Making schedules is one of the main issues with hiring a fitness trainer to train you. Unlike DIY fitness, with a fitness trainer, you’re not completely in control of your time, since another party is involved. Also, the monetary aspect cannot go unnoticed. When you want to make the decision to work with a professional fitness trainer, you have to put these things in perspective.
What to expect from a personal trainer
The most important thing to expect is results—that’s just it. Also, you’ll be more enlightened about health and fitness matters.
Take away
If you want immediate professional assistance to achieve your fitness goals, then hiring a personal trainer is something you should do. A personal trainer can help you get the best out of your training, and even transform you to be better and make good decisions about your health.
