It can be challenging to know where to start when you want to begin a personal fitness journey. Do you try to go to the gym yourself and try out different equipment? Do you go to that yoga class your friend recommended? There are so many options for personal fitness today, and when you try to get started without any guidance, you can become overwhelmed and not be able to commit.
So who can guide you through all the options? If you become overwhelmed, a personal trainer can step in and give you a roadmap toward achieving all of your fitness goals. The goal of our trainers at EW Motion Therapy is to be a guide for our clients so they can work toward their fitness in a safe and encouraging environment. Even if you do not choose to train with us, we want to advise how personal training can be an excellent solution for your fitness journey.
This article will discuss the responsibilities of personal trainers, the benefits and risks of training, and why it might be worth it. With this information, you can pursue training for yourself, knowing that you can work toward any of your fitness goals alongside a trusted guide.
Who are personal trainers?
The primary purpose of a personal trainer is to listen to their client’s goals and develop a roadmap to help them reach those goals. The trainer acts as a coach, cheerleader, guide, and friend to take the client down the roadmap and cheer them on along the way. Trainers should always put their client’s goals above their own expectations for the client - it is the client’s journey they are invested in.
There are many personal training certifications out there, but a few nationally recognized programs indicate a solid baseline of knowledge. Organizations like the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) offer widely-respected certification programs. They are good ones to look for as you research trainers. Some levels of certification are only available to prospective trainers with a specific educational level (bachelors, masters, etc.). Still, each nationally recognized certification should give the trainer a reliable knowledge base to work with many different clients.
There are also many specialized certifications that personal trainers can pursue, including kettlebell, spin class, and more. If you are interested in doing a specific form of exercise for your training, it may be beneficial to find someone in your area that has a related specialty certification.
Benefits & risks
Let’s discuss some of the benefits and risks associated with personal training. One of the primary benefits is consistent, regulated exercise. Your heart, blood pressure, blood sugar, and circulatory system will thank you when you get your heart pumping. Exercise also helps you move around better in your daily life, and when you are physically capable of consistent movement, there are so many more opportunities you can pursue. There is also a psychological benefit to exercise - it has been shown that exercise reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression. Plus, your trainer should be your guide and friend throughout your entire program. When someone is both encouraging you toward and holding you accountable to your goals, there is nothing you can’t achieve.
While personal training can be fantastic for your lifestyle, you should consider some potential risks before committing. Finding the right trainer is essential to your journey, and when you do not, it could potentially hurt you in more ways than one. If you are a 60-year-old client with a back injury, and you try to start a program with a trainer who is newly certified, not only will your personalities potentially not mesh, but that trainer might not have enough experience to put himself in your shoes and tailor a program with your lifestyle in mind. This can increase your risk of injury or make existing injuries worse.
The way to alleviate this risk is to first be open and honest with your trainer about how you’re feeling - no one knows what it’s like to be in your body but you. If you decide you need a new person, try to find a trainer who has both experience and availability for your schedule, which can be hard to do, but is worth it in the long run.
Should I do personal training?
Now you know more about personal training and some things to think about before beginning. Personal training is an excellent program for many people, but you might not see consistent results if you cannot commit to it. One hour a week is certainly better than nothing, but figure out the time and money you can dedicate to your program and stick to it. Training can be expensive, but investing in yourself is one of the best financial decisions you can make.
At EW Motion Therapy, our trainers work with your goals to develop a plan to get you there, and we want to guide you and cheer you on throughout your journey. If you are interested in learning more about personal training with us, click the button below to download our answers to 20 frequently asked questions.
