If you’re thinking about working with a fitness professional, one of the first questions you may have is: How long will it take to get in shape with a personal trainer? As with many aspects of fitness, there’s no short answer. Everyone is different, and results come at different rates depending on factors such as diet, starting fitness levels, and how often you work out. Still, we’ll try to give you some basic information to help you determine how quickly you’ll see results with a personal trainer.
How Long Does It Take to Get In Shape?
No matter which way you decide to work out – either independently or with a personal trainer – it’s going to take some time
to see any meaningful results. As you might suspect, the amount of time it takes to see results from personal training sessions will depend on several specific variables. No two clients can expect the exact same results from working with a personal trainer, since independent factors like diet, activity levels outside sessions, and starting fitness levels can vary so drastically.
With that being said, our personal trainers have extensive experience working with clients with all different goals and starting points. We’ve observed some consistent trends in terms of how long it takes to get in shape with a personal trainer.
- People who follow a healthy eating plan and stick with their personal training session may begin to see noticeable changes in just three weeks.
- People who are completely new to fitness or are returning after a long time of being sedentary may see results sooner, since their bodies aren’t used to working out. Exercise will therefore be a shock to their system, and its beneficial effects will begin to show early on.
- For people who have some starting experience, it may take a bit longer to see results. In these cases, it could take up to six weeks to begin noticing results. Yet, the right training program coupled with a nutrient-dense approach to eating could accelerate results.
In short, there’s no simple answer as to how long it will take to get “in shape.” That’s because being in shape is a subjective term. Your version of being in shape may consist of losing a certain number of pounds. In that case, you can anticipate a possible end date by figuring that most people can lose one to two pounds per week with consistent, challenging exercise and compliance with a calorie-controlled, nutrient-dense eating plan. If your goals look different, such as completing a 5K race or being able to do pull-ups, talk to your trainer about how long it might take to get there based on your individual fitness level and
availability for training sessions.
Will I See Results with a Personal Trainer?
While personal trainers are there to guide you through the exercises that will transform your body, keep in mind that there are other factors involved with achieving results. Nutrition is a big one: even the most advanced athletes can’t out-exercise a poor diet. Results therefore depend on whether or not you’re prioritizing nutrition. If healthy eating has been a challenge for you, consider coupling your personal training program with a customized nutrition plan.
Additionally, consistency is also a key to seeing results. This is
one of the reasons people are drawn to working with personal trainers to meet fitness goals. There’s the accountability factor, as your trainer is expecting you to show up. Plus, trainers will consistently refine your program to keep challenging you, which will help to prevent plateaus and boredom.
How Many Times a Week Should I Train with a Personal Trainer?
There’s no simple, one-size-fits-all answer here, either. Most adults need five days of exercise for 30 minutes or more to get and stay in shape. Yet, most people don’t need five days of personal training sessions each week. Consider starting with two to three sessions a week to develop a baseline for fitness. You may be able to drop sessions as you progress over time. Just be sure to stay active in between your sessions with activities like cycling, brisk walks, swimming, or another exercise you enjoy.