Do I really need a personal trainer at the gym? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Do I really need a personal trainer at the gym?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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Get the Basics...
  • A personal trainer can help you define your fitness goals.
  • Personalized workouts produce better results.
  • You don’t need to spend hours in the gym to reach your fitness goals.

You’ve finally decided to eat right and get in shape. Knowing what types of exercise you need to do can be tricky, especially if you’ve never set foot inside of a gym. You need a workout routine that will help you reach your goals and will fit both your schedule and budget. But if you’re not sure where to start, what do you do?

You hire a personal trainer!

For access to certified personal trainers, sign up for an Exercise.com PRO plan today.

Breaking the Monotony

The most important thing to do is to enjoy your workouts. If you don’t enjoy your workouts, you’re less likely to stick with an exercise routine. And if you find yourself spending hours in the gym but aren’t seeing results, it might be time to enlist the help of a fitness professional.

A personal trainer can provide you with effective workouts that keep you motivated and help you reach your goals.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine demonstrated that your success rate jumps over 30 percent when you enlist the help of a personal trainer at the gym. The influence of direct supervision has an enormous impact on the outcome of training.

Personalized Workouts

People who thrive with their trainers have a particular goal in mind. An experienced trainer designs a program that’s specific only to you. And it’s this type of personalized workout that makes you accountable. It’s designed to produce the results you want.

Maximizing Your Potential

When you work out alone, you may not push yourself as hard as you should. A personal trainer encourages you to work harder, even if you think you can’t take another step. They’re your motivational speaker and safety net. A qualified personal trainer knows exactly how hard you need to work to produce results. They also know when you need to slow down and focus on quality over quantity.

Breeding Positivity

How many times have you thought that you would never reach your fitness goals? Hiring a personal trainer allows you to see yourself from someone else’s point of view. Even if you don’t see the subtle changes happening, your trainer does.

By monitoring your progress, they’re able to tweak your workout routine so you achieve your desired results in the shortest amount of time. And if you don’t seem to be making progress, it’s their job to design a fitness program that works.

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A Dose of Reality

Unfortunately, some people think that it’s a personal trainer’s responsibility to get them in shape. While it’s true that a personal trainer should have your best interest at heart, they cannot make you go to the gym. They are there to put the wheels in motion, support you, and help you reach your fitness goals.

How often you go to the gym and the effort you put into your workouts is entirely up to you.

Often, people tend to make excuses as to why they didn’t go to the gym or why they didn’t work out with maximum effort. A reputable personal trainer will not lie to you. They will tell you when you are reaching your goals and when you aren’t.

Making a Final Decision

Deciding to hire a personal trainer can be empowering. But before making a final commitment, you need to ensure that the investment is worth the price. Whether you’re hiring a trainer through your gym or independently, it’s a good idea to make sure that they meet the following requirements:

  • They have certification through National Academy of Sports Medicine, ACE, or the National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • They can provide at least three outside references
  • They are trained and certified in CPR
  • If they supply nutritional recommendations, they have the appropriate dietary certification
  • They offer a free consultation and trial session

As with any good relationship, your personal trainer should bring out the best in you. The right trainer will always be open to answering any questions or concerns you have. Physical fitness can be challenging, but when paired with the right personal trainer, all the hard work is worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days a week should I exercise?

Three to five workouts a week is recommended for best results.

How do I create my own workout plan?

You can either sign up for an Exercise.com PRO membership or enlist the help of a personal trainer!

What should I do on my rest days?

Sleep, hydrate, eat well, foam roll, and engage in enjoyable movement.

Find a certified personal trainer by signing up for an Exercise.com PRO plan. Go PRO today.

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