Should You Hire A Personal Trainer?

As we get ready to turn the calendar from December to January, again yearly resolutions are in the process of being thought about, decided upon and ultimately implemented.  If you're like most of us, you'd like to get in the best shape possible for you. In this connection, Should You Hire A Personal Trainer?

Daily, we are bombarded with this weight loss product and/or gadget.  The days of a personal trainer being a luxury, even in these challenging economic times, are for many gone and in the end can oftentimes be more cost effective than hit or miss working out on your own — not to mention the safety factor that can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

What is the role of the personal trainer?

A "good certified personal trainer" ascertains what your goals are and after an in depth assessment, structures a plan for you to meet those goals without injury in a "reasonable" amount of time with proper technique being the end result so that you will be able to train on your own as this becomes a "lifestyle."

No pain/No gain — No Way!  At no time should you feel pressured to take on more weight load than you can handle — especially if you are a beginner!  Listen to your body.  Initially, there will be some soreness due to muscles being worked that have been dormant for a long time.  However, that should subside in a day or two at most.

Remember:  A personal trainer is not, in most cases, a nutritionist.  That is a totally different role.  Also, no matter how good the personal trainer may be, without a good nutrition program, coupled with cardiovascular activity and weight bearing exercise, you will in all likelihood not get the desired results.

Also, before starting an exercise or diet modification program, it is advisable to have a complete check-up to identify any underlying medical conditions.