Personal Training

Personal training is always the most important factor, providing assistance on improving any person’s physical condition at the start of a new season, fixing the shape, the body weight and health in general. 

Probably has come to your mind many times but the high cost avoided any further consideration, so the entire idea was rejected and any plans postponed.

Furthermore, the thought of the commitment necessary to go ahead with such a project created another obstacle after doubts of any personal determination was available right away.  

In any case, Personal Training is the best choice for any person uplifting the physical and mental health.

Today’s article looks in detail on: 

• What is Personal Training and what the role of the Personal Trainer

• The areas where Personal trainers are qualified

• The most important benefits of training with a Personal Trainer and why

• If there are any “dangerous” Personal Trainers

• Which issues make a Personal Trainer “dangerous?”

Personal Training – What it is / The role of a Personal Trainer

Till to date many people debated the issue of Personal Training creating controversy and discredit, as a lot of people continue to believe that the financial cost of training with a Personal Trainer (admittedly somehow high) is not justified and training without a specialist could be as efficient  and in fact at a significantly lower cost.

As we go along the lines of this article, we examine the other side of the coin and in particular, why Personal Training is a safe, secure and above all an effective method to achieve any personal goals.

However, we still wonder on what is Personal Training.

With the use of the term “Personal Training”, we mean personal training under the guidance of a specialist.

Personal Trainers are persons with special training and skills related to “understanding” the needs of each person and proceeding to the design of a training program specifically fitting exactly the physical needs and personal goals of the person involved.

This means that this is a targeted training process including safe, proven and effective training systems / fitness programs (depending on the athlete’s preferences). 

These training systems are aiming at the immediate improvement of the personal physical condition and the upgrading of its look (losing unnecessary body fat and increase of muscle mass, losing points from necessary areas, with tightening of muscles and dealing with slackness).

In fact, it is in recent years that the broad public encountered the profession of Personal Trainer, probably following television projection. The cases of celebrities (singers, actors and other famous people) who entrust their look and fitness to a Personal Trainer to gain a flawless result that we see are increasing.

Nevertheless, could we state that this is another trend?

Is Personal Training finally more useful than you thought until today?

Opinions circulating about personal and guided training are – unfortunately – in many cases inaccurate or even completely distorted.

The main field of inaccurate information is the role of the trainer and the description of its work (Job Description) something that we analyze in the following lines. 

 Personal Trainers – Areas they are Qualified

For resolving any questions / doubts and correcting any inaccuracies stated from time to time, let’s have a look to what the profession of a Personal Trainer involves.

So starting the list and especially the recording of all the “requirements” of this profession, we also realized that most probably this profession is often perceived “unfair” regarding the actual training of these individuals.

First, a quick look on the areas the Personal Trainers are qualified:

• Human anatomy
• Bodybuilding fundamental principles
• Nutrition fundamental principles
• Special programs for athletes with injuries / illnesses / chronic diseases
• Basic knowledge of psychology

Besides, to objective knowledge, a trainer also acquires some very important skills for the specific profession as:

• sociability – immediacy – pleasant presence
• ability to read the needs of each individual
• ability to design a specific and tailored exercise program to individual needs
• understanding the capabilities of each individual (individual evaluation)
• encouraging attitude towards the person during demanding training
• commitment to achieving the goal set by the individual
• ability to prevent injuries (correct assessment of individual’s physical condition and responsible supervision of training step by step)
• continuous improvement of acquired knowledge concerning new practices / training procedures / methods of exercising body and mind
• desire to lead the interested person to self-improvement and self-awareness about its body and  potential
• counseling and guidance on a healthier lifestyle (exercise, diet, sleep, physical and mental health, and wellness)

Personal Training with a Personal Trainer : Most Important Benefits – Reasons

At this point, we examine the benefits of personal training (private and guided training by a specialist) over private training without guidance.

• Consistency required

We already mentioned the cause of reservations of any individual thinking of entering the personal training process by a specialist, is the consistence required at any moment of this process, binding any individual to be present at all pre set dates and times. 

Furthermore crates an obligation to perform the best, aiming at the personal improvement (physical and mental).

In the end the person is bound, during this process, to overcome any fears, complexes and insecurities and to be dedicated towards the effort for improving physical and mental health via the exercise. 

• Clear Guidance (Coaching / Nutrition / Psychology)

The guidance received by any individual during the Personal Training for accomplishing any pre set goals needs attention as being the most important, regardless if the training concerns body weight or improvement of physical condition, or even reaching a physical and mental balance. 

As this guidance comes from an experienced and qualified person the trainer, is necessary and avoids many undesired conditions as injuries, etc. 

Apart of the above, this training proves to be safer and shorter in duration. 

• Focus on the individual’s needs 

When training is private, then automatically the trainer’s attention has focus only on one person, so improving the process on many levels. 

There is a direct feedback between the two persons, bringing faster results and benefits. The trainer focuses exclusively on one person only, trying and undertaking to guide it step by step to the correct performance of the exercises selected. 

Besides, the goals preset and the personal needs discussed determine the training schedule, the intensity and the degree of difficulty, seeking to achieve the goals as accurately as possible.  

• Special Personal Training (due to injuries / illnesses / chronic diseases)

A good and qualified trained trainer can also offer special training guidance to people suffering from illnesses / injuries / other situations, limiting the training process and offering special handling.

Various injuries are one such condition.

Chronic diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lumbar disc disease, chronic lung disease, Gravis myasthenia gravis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune diseases, menopause, menopause, menopause, menopause) metabolic disorders, but even various forms of cancer or tumors) require special training of the individual / patient.

• Muscle gains

The muscle gains for a person following personal training guidance, contains more immediate and accurate results. 

A private workout may not be properly structured or may not be performed in the right way. However, a similar time of 45 minutes training with the guidance of a specialist count twice and offer double gains (not only on the muscles).

• New Training Methods

An instructor is the most qualified person to abolish the training routine and to introduce you to new training methods, more pleasant and interesting. New smart ways to strengthen the body, without causing boredom, in case the same training process is followed for years and you feel stuck (psychologically but mainly in training).

• Mental health

The Personal Trainer automatically assumes the role of a psychotherapist for his client, aiming at achieving the physical goals. 

The personal trainer must deal with your personal fears and insecurities, trying to overcome them.

Furthermore, undertakes a comprehensive training, along with psychological and nutritional guidance, aiming at general wellness of the individual.

The personal contact and the “bond” created between the instructor and the client help to achieve the goals faster.

• Location switch

The trainee is free to select different places for the training sessions, not necessarily the cold room of a gym. In consultation with the personal trainer the person can organize training outdoors (depending on the weather conditions), boosting the interest and fun added to the training process.

• Education

An experienced Personal Trainer also undertakes the role of a teacher, basically training the person involved advanced training techniques so to avoid any performance risking the physical health.

A trainer could also introduce or suggest to person under training a proper diet and lifestyle to add up on any training benefits, offering health, longevity and wellness.

Are there any dangerous Personal Trainers?

Surely there are, as happens in any profession. In the field of Personal Training, unskilled trainers or insufficiently qualified trainers could endanger the personal physical integrity or even the individual’s life.

Likewise, just as you do not trust your life in the hands of anyone claiming to be a doctor, you should not trust the personal training in the hands of anyone claiming to be a Personal Trainer.

Any responsible professional should be able to present its credentials along with its specialty on training. 

Nevertheless, the reality, unfortunately, is slightly “dangerous”, as everyone is responsible to hire someone with the degree and qualifications required, regardless of the education level (basic title, or integrated qualification).

What Makes a Personal Trainer “Dangerous”?

Below a look at the main characteristics of the so-called “dangerous” Personal Trainer (always good to avoid):

• no sufficient accreditations
• no communication capability
• attempts to promote products (nutritional supplements)
• causing embarrassment 
• creates negative feelings regarding personal characteristics and body condition
• no changes in the training suggested
• never adequately prepared for individual’s workout
• not consistent in appointments
• not dedicated and focused during the training session
• emphasizes weight loss instead of muscle strengthening
• not motivating the person for attempting any improvement
• not encouraging the person in difficult situations (frustration, etc.) 
• promises immediate results 

(For big goals, this is almost impossible to achieve them immediately. However, with time,  perseverance and effort it is certain that the desired result may be reached)