I would like to start off this post by saying that I am so sore. Granted it’s not “Omg I’m screeching and can barely move sore” like last week, but still sore.
I know that part of the reason why I’m sore is because my body is not very conditioned for exercise. Hell, the last time I did anything physical was three years ago and the only cardio I’ve done since then, is, well, not done in a gym if you catch my drift.
Despite the pain, the acclamation period, and the sheer determination it is taking for me to get fit and stay fit, I know that I am in this for the long haul. This is, of course, going to be with the help of my trainer who eggs me on even when I’m lying on the ground bitching and moaning.
Not everyone needs a trainer, particularly athletes who know their way around a fitness routine. However, some of us may need one due to injuries, conditions, or just plain not knowing a damn thing about exercising. If you think you are in the latter group consider some of these benefits of having a trainer.
You won’t kill yourself.
Ok, maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but as humans we do tend to get frustrated when we can’t do as much as we thought we could. As a result we end up pushing ourselves beyond our limit, possibily injuring ourselves, and never wanting to see a gym again for the rest of our lives.
Trainers are there to customize a routine that fits your needs and to help you gradually condition your body and gain more strength. If you feel pain, let them know and they’ll help you and probably even teach you alternatives. For instance, I have severe lower back pain when I do some exercises so my trainer modifies it for me. That way, I get the same effect with less pain.
Injuries won’t flair up.
Shit happens and our bodies are certainly no exception to the rule. Maybe you tore a muscle or maybe you got sick and had a stint in the hospital. Whatever the case may be trainers can help you ease back into working out and customize your training so that nothing flares up. It can be hard to get your body back into the swing of things, especially if you have an injury, so a personal trainer would probably be a good investment.
You’ll have a support system.
It sucks to work out when you are just starting. It sucks even more when you don’t have a gym buddy. Trainers give you the moral support you need in order to to keep going. Believe me, there’s a huge difference between going on your own and half assing it and having someone support you ever step of the way.
It’s educational.
Maybe it’s just me, but I am totally fascinated by how the human body functions. I like to know the details of an exercise I am doing. What it does, what muscle it works out, what that muscle does, etc. It’s one of the reasons I liked Iyengar yoga and it’s certainly one of the reasons why I like having a trainer.
These are just a few of the reasons you may want to consider using a personal trainer. Like I said before, not everyone needs one, but some of us could use the extra help.
Check back for the second part of this series which will discuss how to find a trainer that works for you. It will include everything from price to style.
