10 reasons to hire a personal trainer

Everyone needs a little help with exercise sometimes, even me. Whether we are new to working out or we have been at it for a long time we all need a little guidance. Most people tend to shy away from training, unsure of what they'll get out of the experience or whether it's worth the money. Here are 10 reasons why people choose to hire a personal trainer.

1. Not Seeing Results
So you've been exercising consistently for weeks or months and are not seeing the changes you'd like. Hiring a trainer may be a good choice. Personal trainers will take the time to look at your current program, the goals you have set, your eating habits and help you create a program for changes and more effective workouts.

2. You are lost and don’t know what to do
Trying to figure out how many sets, reps, time and exercises can be all too confusing. The great thing about a trainer is that he/she can help you maximize your time while helping you stay within your own limits so you don't overdo it. A good trainer can also help you set goals and help you understand the different steps you need to take to reach your short and long term goals.

3. Workouts are getting boring doing the same old thing
One of the biggest mistakes in exercise is not following periodization. Even if you're an experienced exerciser, maybe you haven't considered working with a trainer. A good trainer can walk you through each phase and show you how to properly switch up your workouts for the greatest benefit. Even if you just do a few sessions or meet every few weeks, you'll find it refreshing to have new workouts and new exercise toys to play with.

4. You Need Challenge
Most of us tend to slack off on our workouts sometimes, especially when things get tough. A trainer can motivate you to push past those self-imposed limits, encouraging you to lift heavier, go longer and challenge yourself more than you would on your own. You'll find it's very hard to slack off with a trainer standing over you, telling you to do ...five...more...reps!

5. You Want to Learn How to Exercise on your Own
Sometimes your goal is to create your own workouts and exercise by yourself, hiring a trainer for a few sessions can be a great benefit for learning the right way to exercise. If you want to learn more about the muscles in your body, the exercises that target those muscles and how to do those exercises with great form then hiring a trainer is a great idea. You can learn a lot about your body and how it works in just a few sessions.

6. You Need an Appointment and some Motivation
Trainers are all motivation. Not only are you investing money into your exercise program...you're investing time as well. There is nothing better then having a standing appointment to get you’re a$$ into the gym for a workout. On top of all this trainers provide accountability so when you don’t have a sessions be sure your trainer will be checking up on things like planned workouts, diet etc. Just knowing that may make it harder to skip a workout or grab those extra cookies on the way out the door.

7. You Have an Illness, Injury or Condition
If you have any specific issues like arthritis, heart disease, old injuries, etc., working with an experienced trainer (who works with your doctor, of course) can help you find a program to help heal injuries and avoid any further problems. It's also a great idea to work with a trainer if you're pregnant and want a safe, effective workout to keep you healthy and fit. Just make sure your trainer has experience with your issues!

8. You want to Train for a Sport or Event
A trainer can help you figure out what you need to do to increase strength and stay strong without taking away from your specific training if you're training for a marathon, baseball season, soccer tournament or some other type of sport. A trainer can also create a training program and map out a plan for the coming event.

9. You Want Supervision and Support during Workouts
Some people know how to exercise and they even know how to do the exercises correctly, but they like having a trainer around for support and supervision. If you're lifting very heavy weights or need someone to help with partner-type exercises, working with a trainer might be a good choice for you. He can spot you during workouts and help you come up with a good training plan for your goals.

10. You Want a Home Based Workout Plan
Some of us just want to workout in the comfort of our own home but we either don't have a lot of equipment or aren't sure how to use what we have. In-home personal training is one excellent choice. A trainer can bring in his or her own equipment or just show you how to get the best workout with what you have at home. A Trainer can also make recommendations for equipment that will help you reach your goals and maybe even get you a better price then you wandering into a fitness store by yourself.

We all have different reasons for wanting to workout but why not get some guidance, support, motivation and do it in the safest way possible. Trainers are the best option for optimizing your time and your workouts and help get you to your goals faster.

Be Safe and Enjoy Your Workouts
JJ Confalone