All the rich and famous celebrities have one. In fact, some
are rich and famous themselves. But you don't have to be either
one to reap the benefits of hiring a personal trainer. More and
more people, novice and veteran exercisers alike, are working
with personal trainers because they offer a practical and
affordable means of getting and staying healthy.
A Trainer For Every Body
Many automatically equate personal training with gyms full of
hard-core strength trainers and body builders. This is only part
of the picture. Anyone, young and old, in shape and out, can
utilize a personal trainer for a variety of reasons. For
example, many professional and amateur athletes work with a
personal trainer during the off-season to prepare themselves for
in-season competition. Individuals recovering from an injury or
accident may enlist the help of a personal trainer (in
conjunction with their physical therapist) to get them back in
top form. The work of a majority of personal trainers focuses on
increasing and/or maintaining their clients' fitness levels,
assisting them in weight loss and overseeing their
strength-training and cardiovascular activities. Strength
training, in particular, has received increased recognition in
recent years because the lack of strength is now known to be a
risk factor for disease, especially for older populations.
Tailor-made Training
Personal trainers wear many hats, serving not only as coach,
but also as confidant, role model, educator and a major source
of motivation and encouragement. Some people may want constant
supervision two to three times a week, which makes them more
likely to stick to their program because they are accountable to
someone else for their exercise time. Others may prefer to see a
trainer only on occasion to update their exercise program, or
for periodic fitness testing to receive feedback on their
progress.
It is the novice exerciser, however, who may find a personal
trainer most valuable. Working with a personal trainer for a few
sessions is often all it takes for some people to feel
comfortable with independent exercise. The following describes
the most common services offered to those beginning an exercise
program:
1. Fitness evaluation. This is a series of tests designed to
assess cardiovascular fitness, body-fat percentage, flexibility
and muscular strength and endurance.
2. Personalized exercise program. An individualized exercise
program is designed based on the individual's fitness evaluation
results and personal fitness and health goals.
3. Supervised exercise. Personal attention during exercise is
the primary function of personal trainers. Clients are given a
detailed orientation that addresses the aerobic, strength and
flexibility components of the exercise program, and are educated
about the fundamentals of strength and aerobic training, as well
as the proper and safe use of equipment.
Choosing One That Fits
Once you have made the decision to hire a personal trainer,
all that is left is to find one that best suits your needs. Of
course, you want a personal trainer that is certified by the
American Council on Exercise. (Call 800-529-8227 to locate the
ACE-certified Personal Trainer nearest you.) This is your
assurance that you're working with a trainer who has the
knowledge to provide you with a safe and effective workout.
Don't hesitate to ask for references, and be sure that the
trainer has liability insurance and provides business policies
in writing. Rates will vary, depending on the trainer's
experience and the length and location of the workout session.
While some health clubs offer personal training services to
their members at reduced rates, most personal trainers typically
charge $25 to $50 per hour for their services.
Finally, ask yourself if you could get along well with the
trainer and whether or not they seem genuinely interested in
helping you. If they meet all your other prerequisites, this is
the trainer to hire. Together, you and your trainer can
determine your best route to better health and fitness.
