Do You Need a Trainer?

Find out when you should hire a trainer.

Written by Kathie Davis

To find out when you should hire a personal trainer, we asked Kathie Davis, co-founder and executive director of IDEA Health & Fitness Association, a San Diego-based organization of more than 23,000 health and fitness professionals.

Q: I keep hearing about the need for weight training, but I don’t know where to start. I’m wondering if I should try a personal trainer, but I can’t imagine exercising in front of people at a gym.

A: Weight training should definitely be part of all fitness programs, and joining a health club is not the only way to get started. Many personal trainers are independent and can work with you at either a small private gym that doesn’t offer memberships to the general public, or at your home or theirs. That said, keep in mind that people over the age of 55 are the fastest-growing segment of health-club members, followed by those between the ages of 35 and 54.

While there are plenty of fitness books, DVDs and online workout programs, I think you can get farther with face-to-face fitness training. Here are a few reasons why.

♦ A trainer can be very motivating, and many people find this helpful.

♦ You’ll most likely get faster results with an experienced professional who will be able to put together a program that really works for you. It will include making the most of the time you spend doing cardiovascular exercise, as well as weight training. One of your options is to get a program you can do at home. Seeing the results from your workouts will also help keep you motivated.

♦ You will be kept accountable to your own goals, because your trainer will check on your progress and keep you honest as far as what you actually did. If you’re having difficulty or are not happy with your progress, you will get the help you need to resolve the situation so you are continually improving your fitness level and experiencing benefits.

♦ Most people don’t really know how to lift weights safely and effectively, and when you’re starting out—whether it’s in a gym or at home—it’s important to learn proper form.

Personal trainers’ fees vary, but there are a few ways to reduce your cost. Rather than working one-on-one every time you exercise, you can do one workout with a trainer each week or up to once a month, and work out on your own the rest of the time. If you do this, I suggest keeping a log of your exercise and reviewing it with your trainer. Another option is to do a few sessions to learn how to weight train properly and get a program to do on your own. When you hit a plateau, see the trainer again. Another popular cost-cutting strategy is to share a trainer with one other person, or up to four other people.

I do recommend that you look for independent trainers through your local YMCA and health clubs, by asking friends for referrals, and by looking in community newspapers and magazines. Interview at least three trainers, and ask about their credentials, experience and whether they have liability insurance. Also, request references. Be up-front about what you’re looking for, and see who you might like to hire. Your efforts can reap big rewards.

Quick Tip
Friend benefits
You can cut the cost of a personal trainer by sharing workout sessions with friends or co-workers, or your trainer’s other clients.