Should a Beginner Get a Personal Trainer?
If you’re like most people who are new to fitness, you may be wondering where to start. There are countless approaches you could take, but for many people, hiring a personal trainer makes the most sense. Here’s why.
What Does a Personal Trainer Do?
A personal trainer works with you in a one-on-one setting. They’ll start by learning about your fitness goals, and from there, they’ll develop a tailored exercise regimen to help you achieve them. Their guidance extends far beyond that, however. As you do your workouts, they’ll assess your form to make sure you’re moving in a way that will help you get stronger and avoid injury. They’ll provide encouragement when you need it, help you stay accountable, and will tweak your program as you progress in your fitness journey.
Is a Personal Trainer Worth It for a Beginner?
For beginners who may need some assistance or guidance getting started with exercise, personal trainers can be an invaluable resource. Without the proper knowledge and experience, no one can be expected to know how to work out properly. Moreover, designing a comprehensive workout program that incorporates strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility elements is a complex endeavor — and it’s one that calls for expertise. Not only do trainers know how to structure a program that includes all of these components, but they also know which exercises to recommend, as well as how many sets and reps of each you should be doing and how often. Working out to achieve a specific goal is a precise science, and it’s one in which personal trainers excel.
As a beginner, all this can feel overwhelming, and rightly so. Many people who are new to fitness either find themselves giving up on their goals early because they don’t know what to do, or they work out based on guesswork and get frustrated when they don’t see results. Hiring a personal trainer as a beginner will save you time and effort by ensuring you’re working out the right way form the very start.
Can a Beginner Go to the Gym Without a Trainer?
There are certainly no rules that say you have to enlist the help of a personal trainer when you first start working out. Some people do enjoy exploring all that the gym has to offer on their own. Yet, keep in mind that if you do go to the gym and begin working out independently, you’ll still want to get a walkthrough on any equipment you haven’t used before. A staff member should be able to show you how to use machines safely.
You may also find that even though you log many hours at the gym, you’re not reaching your goals as efficiently as you thought you would. Remember, fitness improvements will incorporate many elements, including the right workout regimen and healthy eating. A good personal trainer will simplify the steps you need to take to reach your goals, so you don’t have to spend so much time working out without seeing any results.
How Many Personal Training Sessions Do I Need as a Beginner?
A trainer will guide you through the basics of the exercises you should do based on frequency, intensity, time, and type, and how you can alter these elements as you progress. They’ll also help you determine how hard you should be pushing, and how to monitor your exercise intensity using tools like heart rate monitors and perceived rate of exertion. They can suggest activities that align best with your fitness level and goals, schedule, and the equipment you have available. They’ll also ensure you’re working out in a way that gets you closer to your goals without overdoing it.
With all that in mind, exercise is like any worthwhile endeavor that takes time to learn. Even as you become more confident in your ability to work out independently, you may find that working out under the guidance of a trainer helps you stay on track and prevents you from reaching a plateau.
For beginners, it may make sense to see a trainer several times a week until you reach your goals. This will help you build a strong foundation for a positive, lasting relationship with fitness. Once your goals have been achieved, you may set new objectives, such as participating in an event like a 5K, mastering a certain exercise, or lifting heavier weights. You may be able to meet with your trainer less frequently, but having their input and direction will continue to help you. In fact, even advanced athletes have personal trainers who help them perform their best and optimize their workouts so they’re putting in just enough effort to get results without becoming too fatigued.
Simply put, there’s no single answer for how many personal training sessions you’ll need. What’s more important is that you just start somewhere — which is where Mobile Trainers comes in. Get started with our one-on-one training sessions in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Schedule your free in-home evaluation online now!
