Almost every human being wants to be fit and strong and look great in their clothes. However, only a tiny percentage of those longing for physical perfection ever persist until they have the body of their dreams. Why do so many fail? There seem to be two main reasons for the dreadful attrition rate of fitness training.
The first is that we would-be Greek gods get bored! We all start with great enthusiasm and interest but get tired of doing the same routine again and again. Eating the same meal every time, viewing the same movie over and over again and watching only one TV show repeatedly would put most of us in a mental institution. Yet we don't hesitate to create a fitness program and that wants us to follow it robotically, day after day.
The second reason is that we see little progress. Our bodies are stubborn creatures and are not going to respond to a careful diet or an exercise program in a couple of days. Over time we are certain to see great change but it's hard to persist when nothing seems different.
One answer to both of these problems is to work with a fitness trainer or coach. They are skilled in creating a fitness program that will bring faster results yet they can keep your activities varied so that it's hard to get bored. Their job is to carefully study your body and create appropriate exercises that will work best for you. "Doing what everybody else does" will not necessarily keep anybody stimulated and inspired. A fitness trainer will, however, or he won't have a job.
There are lots of trainers out there so how can you find the one that works best for you? Here are seven factors to consider.
1. What Education & Training Does Your Trainer Possess?
Be certain to inquire about the knowledge of anyone who is going to help you improve your physical condition.
* Did he go to school?
* If so, where and what was his curriculum?
* Does he have any professional training? Is it practical or all theory?
* What is his background?
* How long has he been in this occupation?
Some trainers are nothing more than young, good-looking people who inspire confidence – but may not know what they're doing.
2. Is Your Trainer Certified?
There are organizations which set standards for trainers and certification by these organizations can help you feel more certain that you are being coached by someone who knows what they're doing. Organizations such as AFAA (The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America), NASM (The National Academy of Sports Medicine), NFPT (National Federation of Professional Trainers), ACE (The American Council on Exercise) and AFPA (The American Fitness Professionals & Associates) are examples of desirable certifications, although there are certainly many more. These are certainly not required but are definitely helpful when trying to evaluate the competence of your trainer.
3. How Will Your Trainer Assess Your Development and Evaluate Your Progress?
How will your trainer track and evaluate your progress? Simply standing around, casually watching, isn't good enough. Before signing up with any trainer, be sure you understand their evaluation process and how they will know what activities you need to do next. They also need a clear system for recognizing whether or not your exercise regimen is working efficiently and elegantly, as it should.
4. Does Your Trainer Shut Out Everything But YOU?
No matter what is going on in a gym or fitness facility, your trainer's total attention should be on YOU. If they are talking to other people and visiting with other athletes, find someone else. They need to carefully observe what you are doing so that you don't injure yourself and so they will know what you need to do next to maximize the effectiveness of your exercises.
Further, your trainer needs to be able to make instant corrections to your form, if you're doing an exercise incorrectly, in order to prevent injury and maximize your results.
5. Does Your Trainer Have Experience In Your Specific Area Of Interest?
Are you working toward a specific goal? Perhaps you want to compete in a marathon or enter a triathelon. Does your trainer have knowledge and experience that will help you with this goal or is his experience more general?
6. Does Your Trainer Offer A Trial Period or Trial Visit?
Can you have an intro visit at a reduced fee in order to see if you work well together?
7. Do You Enjoy Your Trainer's Company?
It's extremely important that you enjoy the personality of your trainer. This is a very individual criteria and only you can choose. Do you want someone who is very professional and speaks only about the session? Or do you want someone who is more relaxed and injects humor into your time together? The best trainer on planet earth is no use to you if you can't relate to each other.
The two deadly fitness program killers or boredom and apparent lack of progress can be tamed by a trainer who is knowledgeable and works well with you. Don't hesitate to cut the ties when someone doesn't work out and appreciate and value the professional who helps you with your workouts so that you reach your goal as quickly as humanly possible.
Leave a Reply