Oprah has a personal trainer. But she also has a private chef, a personal nutritionist and a staff to help her organize her life. How about you? Can you afford a personal trainer? Do you need one?
A good number of Americans say yes. Nine of 10 health clubs in our country offer the service, and, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, 6.3 million Americans have personal trainers. That’s an increase of more than 50 percent since 1998.
Many health clubs offer “free personal training” with every membership. This means, primarily, that a trainer is available to introduce you to the various machines, give instructions about how they are to be used and answer questions at any time. Given the growing number and types of exercise equipment, this is good basic information.
Most people who join a health club are new to exercise, particularly to weight training. They need to know how to adjust the machines, what muscles they work and how many repetitions and sets are recommended. They also need to be warned against both overdoing and underdoing it.
Why Do I Need a Trainer?
This kind of training is not really “personal” or individual. It does not take the same amount of time nor require the expertise that is needed to work with you on an individual basis to set up a program, monitor your progress and help you meet your goals.
The going rate for this kind of personal training is $15 to $100 an hour, with a national average of $50 an hour. Even the top rate is probably considerably less than Oprah pays, but it still has to be questioned. Do I need a personal trainer? What can a trainer provide that I cannot do on my own? The answers vary with your individual needs.
YOU’RE NEW TO EXERCISE: Dr. X, a pediatrician, is a bit embarrassed when it comes to exercise. He tells parents about how much their kids will benefit from physical activity, but he knows that he doesn’t get enough exercise himself.
“I just don’t know how to get started,” he said. Should he walk, run, swim or bike? Should he work out inside or out?
A trainer can talk to Dr. X, inquire about his goals and preferences and then work out a balanced routine for him. Some people are built to run (physically and emotionally); others are better off on a bike or elliptical trainer. A good trainer is flexible enough to work out a program tailored to the individual.
MOTIVATE ME: If you’ve tried exercise before and always seem to be dropping out for the slightest excuse, having a personal trainer may be a good idea.
The trainer may help you discover the best program for your schedule and personality. But an even greater motivation is the money you’re shelling out. You don’t want to be paying for something you never use.
SHOW ME RESULTS: Joan had joined a health club six months ago and was showing up for an hour four days a week. Yet she hadn’t lost a pound and didn’t feel any fitter than she had before she joined.
A personal trainer can help you get off whatever plateau you are stuck on and start achieving results. You may be doing too much or not enough aerobic work. You may need to incorporate more strength training. You may need to be pushing yourself harder–getting more intensity out of your workouts.
A good personal trainer can show you a better approach, challenging you to do more without pushing you to do something that will do more harm than good.
YOU’RE TRAINING FOR AN EVENT: If you want to run the Detroit Marathon this Fall, you may want a trainer or at least a training program to guide you while you build up your mileage and endurance without risking an injury.
YOU HAVE AN INJURY, ILLNESS OR DISABILITY: If the cartilage in your knees is shot; if you are bothered by flares of gout; if you’re worried about a heart condition, it’s easy to decide that exercise is just too much of a bother.
A smarter approach is to hire a personal trainer who can work out a program tailored specifically to your needs and disabilities.
Any of the above are valid reasons to hire a personal trainer, and it may be possible for a trainer to give you the help you need with a limited number of appointments. Then again, depending on your finances, you may prefer maintaining a long-term relationship.
Choosing a Trainer
Once you decide that you want a personal trainer, the next step is choosing one. Things you’ll want to consider include qualifications and experience, price and finding a good match for your goals and your personality.
If you’re training for a marathon, an experienced runner in distance events might be able to give you some helpful training tips. Or you might find a good training program in a running publication.
In most cases, though, you want a personal trainer with experience who is certified and has strong credentials.
The major national certifying organizations are the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. They all have requirements for testing and continuing education. Get references as well and interview the trainer to make sure the two of you are compatible.
If you have arthritis, diabetes or a heart condition, look for a trainer with some medical knowledge about your particular problem. And be sure your trainer knows CPR.
Don’t be shy about discussing cost. Some trainers will offer a discount if you refer one or more of your friends. You might also be able to work out a group training arrangement.
If the trainer’s hourly fee seems high, make sure you get straight how often he or she expects to meet with you. Most trainers do not expect to be at your side every minute. A better, and more cost effective, approach is for the trainer to work out a program for you and then follow up regularly to see if you are meeting your goals. The goal of a good personal trainer is to educate you so you can eventually take over on your own and manage your own fitness goals.
REFERENCES:
Rene DeFranco, “10 things your personal trainer won’t tell you,” SmartMoney.com.
R. Morgan Griffin, “Finding a personal fitness trainer,” WebMD feature, reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, M.D., August 22, 2006.
Christopher O’Leary, “Finding a personal trainer,” WebMD feature, reviewed December 15, 2009.
Paige Waehner, “10 resons to hire a personal trainer,” About.com Exercise, updated September 1, 2011.
“What should I look for in a personal fitness trainer?” WebMD answers, December 14, 2009.
02/04/2013
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