When you decide to start a fitness regimen, trying to figure out where you should begin can feel a little overwhelming. There is a lot of information available online, in magazines, and by word of mouth. It can be confusing to nail down what is going to work best to help you achieve your personal fitness goals.
Whether you want to increase your level of physical fitness, focus on muscle tone, lose weight, or build your endurance, a personal trainer can help you get the best results possible. By deciding to work with a personal trainer, you are taking steps to ensure a safe, effective training routine.
Weight training on your own can lead to injuries long term if you aren’t familiar with proper form. By lifting weights that are too heavy for your current ability, or using improper form, you’re putting yourself at risk for a serious injury if you’re inexperienced.
By exercising without the guidance of a personal trainer, you run the risk of overtraining; this is a common mistake that is easily avoided. Cardio exercise is a great way to improve your overall health, but too much of a good thing can quickly become an issue. Training too hard, or for too long, doesn’t allow your body any time to recover. The symptoms of overtraining include fatigue, soreness, decreased strength and decreased muscle mass.
Hiring a personal trainer does mean an added cost, but the health risks associated with inexperience are something to be aware of. Also, you’re more likely to achieve your desired results with professional guidance.
Benefits of Hiring a Personal Trainer
A personal trainer can teach you the basics of exercise, proper form and effective techniques, and this knowledge can boost your confidence so that you are fully prepared for group training experiences. But a trainer provides a lot more than just basic information.
1. Motivation
A trainer provides you with ongoing motivation, because you know there is someone expecting you at regularly set appointments. When you are simply trying to get fit on your own, it is so much easier to slack off now and then. But when a trainer is working with you, there is an extra level of motivation that can get you through rough or discouraging times.
2. Routine
For achieving fitness goals, it is better to learn consistency than to simply work out when you feel like it. However, it can be difficult to develop an effective exercise routine without expert advice. A trainer provides the expertise to develop a fitness routine that will be realistic for you.
Remember, an exercise routine that is too extreme can cause you to become discouraged and give up. A trainer will maximize the amount of time you spend in the gym without overwhelming you or wasting your time, crafting a routine to make the most of each visit.
3. Support
Your trainer is single-mindedly committed to your success, so they provide continual support. Through constant feedback, advice and encouragement, they will be there for you. Anytime you are working with the trainer, their attention is focused solely upon you.
4. Learn Properly
All too often people do not know proper techniques for exercising. Whether lifting weights or using a treadmill, there are right and wrong ways to work out. If you’re new to exercising or new to a certain type of exercise, having a personal trainer work with you and teach you the correct techniques can help you get the most from your workout in addition to helping you avoid serious injuries.
5. Full-Targeted Workouts
Personal trainers know how your entire body works when working out. The exercise routine you and your trainer put together will undoubtedly target each problem area that you wish to address, as well as some areas that you never knew you were having trouble with. You will progress faster and more completely toward your fitness goals with a personal trainer.
Are You a Group or One-On-One Personal Training Type?
Reaching your fitness goals can be challenging amid today’s busy lifestyles. From family to work, it’s often hard to choose the right gym, the best workout, and the most effective training type. The options seem endless which means you may decide to try every exercise program or not be able to decide at all! Today, let’s explore the options related to training types and discover if you are a group or one-on-one personal training type.
What Are the Differences?
There are a couple of options when it comes to training. First, there is one-on-one individual personal training or group training (large or small groups). Personal training can happen at home (though limited) or at the gym, depending on your regimen and your fitness goals. A personal trainer delivers a fully focused, relationship-based experience which is always focused on your unique fitness goals. Workouts are tailored by your trainer and consider any issues (injuries, preferences, abilities, etc.) to ensure a safe, effective workout. And, since your trainer is focused on only you, the trainer can correct any issues which may arise during your workout creating a level of trust and accountability.
Group training is essentially personal training in a group. Group training gives you more limited access to a professional trainer at a lower cost than having an individual session with a personal trainer. With group training, you also get attention as well as instruction in technique from the trainer, but also the support and encouragement from members of the group. With the help of those in your group and in a fun environment, working out with others can help you push forward to reach your fitness goals.
More Pros and Cons
As you think about whether a group or one-on-one training is for you, let’s explore several aspects of each to aid you in your decision. Ask yourself, which is most likely to keep you motivated. For some, having a personal trainer focused on keeping you motivated is most appealing, while others enjoy a bit of competition or the camaraderie of working in a group.
As far as safety is a factor in your decision, personal training one-on-one may edge out group training as the safest. Why? With a personal trainer, every exercise and movement is designed specifically for you to help you reach your goals while group training is more generalized and geared to everyone in the group. And while group training is not dangerous, if your body has unique needs, a personal trainer will monitor every action and reaction ensuring every exercise positively affects your body.
Results in achieving your wellness goals will also factor into your decision. No two bodies work the same, so it is important to focus on your body and your goals, not someone else’s. Effectiveness and results vary, depending on your goals. For example, if staying active and in shape are your primary motivators, group training may be the perfect fit, but if reaching a specific goal or targeting a specific area is your goal then one-on-one training may be best for you.
What We Offer
Private Personal Training
We offer private personal training sessions for our members. You will work one-on-one with one of our trainers and create a plan based on your unique goals. You will receive a customized workout plan to follow as well as tips and advice on nutrition, cardio, strength training, and more. You can visit your personal trainer one a month to track and monitor your progress and make any necessary updates to your personalized program. Or, you can visit your trainer as many times per week as you like to help hold yourself accountable and ensure you are getting in a challenging workout. Some clients will follow their personalized program and combine it with many of the group fitness classes we offer. Whichever option you choose, our trainers will customize a fitness plan specifically for you to help you achieve the results you’re looking for. Your plan is based off your goals, interests, fitness level, time, schedule, and budget.
Personal Training Programs
You may want to try out several of our personal training programs to see which best fits your needs and lifestyle. Luckily, Northwest Women’s Fitness offers plenty of options for our members to choose from!
Partner Training
If you enjoy working out with a friend and it helps you hold each other accountable, partner training is a great option! You will receive all the same benefits of a private personal training program, but you get to share your trainer and the cost with another person.
Small Group Training
If you’re working with a tighter budget, want to save a little extra money, or thrive in a 2-5 person session, then small group training is an excellent option. Not only will small group training save you money, you’ll also make new friends who you probably have a lot in common with! So, grab a group of friends or meet some new ones!
Pilates Reformer Training
Pilates focuses on building and strengthening the core as well as your mind. If you’re looking to improve your balance, posture, coordination, and strengthen your core, Pilates training is a great option for you. We offer customized on-on-one, partner, or small group (2-4 people) Pilates reformer/equipment training focused on a full body core workout.
Specialty Small Group Training
Our specialty small group training are specialized sessions that each have a different focus. Sessions can range from Posture and Balance, Pilates Reformer and Equipment, Boxing, and TRX Suspension. These sessions are a great choice whether you’re a beginner or more advanced.
Boot Camps
If you’re looking for a full body workout that is guaranteed to kick your butt, boot camps are the training you’ve been looking for! Boot camps are intense and motivating workouts that are sure to get you in shape and build your strength. Our boot camps take place indoors, and when the weather permits, we take them outside for an even better sweat! We even offer a co-ed boot camp and male boot camp for all the men in your life who want to join you in your fitness journey.
Contact NW Women’s Fitness Today
Northwest Women’s Fitness is committed to helping you achieve the results you are looking for! Get inspired and motivated with our personal training laws of success and other members success stories.
If you want to learn more about the personal training options we offer, contact us today! Begin your exercise journey and feel empowered with Northwest Women’s Fitness.
Tabitha Wilson says
My most favorite part of your article is when you talked about how a personal trainer can provide you constant feedback, advice, and encouragement that will help you to gauge your improvement in achieving your desired fitness result. At the moment, I don’t feel good with my body because of the excess fats I gained after I gave birth a year ago. I’m interested to get back in shape and feel good about myself again. I will make sure to consider hiring a personal trainer that will support me all throughout my fitness journey.
Scott Adams says
I hadn’t thought about how a trainer can help you stay motivated enough to continue going to work out. I have been looking for a way to lose weight this year. I can see how it would be nice to have a personal trainer help me. That way, I will have someone to hold me accountable for my goals.
Sharon Wilson-Smith says
I totally agree that consistency and an experts’ advice are important factors to achieve your fitness goals. My sister has been interested to be back in shape since she has gained so much weight. It’s important for her to ensure that she can keep her goals in mind in order to achieve her fitness goals. Since she doesn’t have ideas of what type of routine she needs to perform, it will make sense for her to hire a personal trainer. I will make sure to share your blog with her so she can consider hiring a personal trainer soon.
Sam Li says
I love what you said about personal trainers maximizing the amount of time you spend in the gym without overwhelming your body. Also, personal trainers can offer diet advice in order to help you achieve your desired figure. My girlfriend is thinking about hiring a personal trainer, so we’ll make an effort to find the best one in our area.
Kit Hannigan says
It sure is nice to know that a personal trainer can help you get that extra level of motivation to get you through the hardest parts of your program. My son has been trying for years and years to get back into shape at no success. He finds a lot of excuses; sometimes it’s work and sometimes it’s his time. I will be sure to advise him to try and work with a fitness coach that can push him to his limits and motivate him when things get hard.
Sherry Gajos says
I liked what you said about how a personal trainer will provide you with ongoing motivation. I’m looking to get back in shape now that I’ve finished healing from my second child’s birth, but I’m having a really hard time getting myself out of the house. Thank you for the information about how, when a trainer is working with you, there is an extra level of motivation that can get you through rough or discouraging times.