If you’re getting started with working out, you might consider hiring a personal trainer to help you out. Sometimes people will find personal trainers if they want to strengthen their workouts. Before you commit to using a personal trainer, it’s a good idea to understand what they do!
What Is a Personal Trainer?
According to The Shredquarters, a Reading gym, a personal trainer can be several different things at once. They say, “Depending on their approach and demeanor, personal trainers are part-coach, part-mentor, part-friend and even part-drill instructor at times. What remains constant is their goal, which is to oversee an individual’s fitness program in a fitness facility or private setting.”
In short, personal trainers are often certified to instruct people on physical fitness.
How Can You Hire a Personal Trainer?
There are a couple of ways that you can find personal trainers for hire. The method you choose will simply depend on availability and convenience. Here are your options:
- Find a personal trainer through your local gym.
- Find a standalone personal training business.
When you are using a personal training company, it may consist of a team of trainers. It could also be a single personal trainer who does their job alone. Any of these options are effective. Your success will be measured by the trainer and how well you work. Using one method of hiring over another shouldn’t help or hinder your fitness success.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Trainer?
One of the biggest concerns that people tend to have is the cost of a personal trainer. It sounds great to have someone helping you work out, but you might have to pay a lot.
Angie’s List gives a general price of $80 to $125 per hour. This isn’t always the norm though. There are several factors that can influence the trainer’s fees.
- As with anything else, the price will fluctuate based on the location. This goes with the territory of choosing a place to live. It applies to personal training too.
- You might have a preference on how involved your trainer is. If your trainer is doing more in-depth work with you, such as running outdoors, you will pay more.
- Keep in mind that trainers who operate privately might charge more than those who work at gyms.
What Do Personal Trainers Generally Do for Their Clients?
A lot of work goes into becoming a personal trainer. Once these professionals get hired by a client, they have even more to do.
Personal trainers are expected to come up with fitness programs for individuals. These plans are based on the client’s goals and current physical state. In most cases, personal trainers will be coaching their clients directly. This requires motivation and dedication on the personal trainer’s part.
Some do supply their clients with a plan and a brief explanation. This varies by the client’s desires and the style of the personal trainer.
Note that personal trainers are not medical professionals. They can help you to work out and find the exercises that work best for you. They should not be giving you serious medical advice throughout your training session. This is especially true if you are injured.
What Should Be Expected of a Personal Trainer?
According to Livestrong, there are a few different things to be expected from a personal trainer. These include:
- Goal setting
- Body composition
- Fitness assessment
- Current practices
Let’s break those expectations down a bit.
Goal setting
Personal trainers should work with their clients to come up with goals that they hope to achieve. These might be a combination of long-term and short-term goals. Your personal goals will be taken into consideration. Sometimes, a personal trainer will make other suggestions for you as well.
Body composition
At your first session, your measurements will be taken. This will help your trainer to decide what type of training you need and how to set goals for you. Some trainers will re-evaluate the body’s composition every week, month, or every couple of months.
Fitness assessment
Before you begin training, the trainer will need to test you to see where you’re at. This will help them to place you at an appropriate level and to measure your success.
Current practices
At the first session, your personal trainer will want to learn more about what you’re currently doing for your workouts. Not all trainers do this, especially if they offer fitness assessments.
As you can see, most personal trainers have a lot to offer. If you’re interested in hiring a personal trainer, be sure to find one who will meet or exceed these expectations. It’s worth your time to search for a helpful and motivating trainer!