Blasting Through the Comfort Zone: Personal Training for Faster Results

The fifth and final fitness fundamental is Personal Training. Having a personal trainer can make the difference between success and failure in a fitness program. Why is this component so important?

Even seasoned athletes have personal trainers to push them over their perceived limitations and boundaries. It is human nature to give up when we feel uncomfortable. This desire to give up is especially applicable in fitness. Each of us has a personal comfort zone which we do not cross unless pushed. A personal trainer is an expert at knowing a person's true limitations and being able to motivate a trainee to continue even in the face of discomfort and surrender.

How many times have we promised ourselves we would get up the next day and go jog or go to the gym, only to wake up the next day and find an excuse to wait until "tomorrow." Tomorrow never comes and soon we are further from our goals. A personal trainer holds each client accountable for their own success and making it to their appointments.

Motivation and Accountability are only but a couple of reasons to hire a personal trainer. When working out with weights, it is extremely vital to use proper form and breathing techniques. If a person is training using the wrong form, long-term postural deviations are accentuated and joint and ligament damage is possible. Most of us do not know what the proper form is. This is an additional factor where a personal trainer can benefit a person. By knowing the proper form and what exercise to perform and when, our progress time is cut drastically.

Finally a personal trainer should put together a comprehensive fitness program involving menu suggestions, body fat goals and measurements, an extensive workout plan, and be able to tell you how long it will take you to reach your goals. Personal trainers can see what areas you may be having difficulty with and should be experienced in assisting you with breaking plateaus and targeting postural deviations, core issues, and problem areas.

Now that you know the benefits of having a personal trainer, what should you look for in one? Never judge a trainer by looks. There are many people who look healthy that are not and do not have experience. Equally, there are personal trainers that have years of experience but may not look the part because of an injury or medical issue that prevented them from continuing in certain exercises and fitness programs.

Personal trainers should be certified through an accredited certification board such as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), The American Council on Exercise (ACE), or The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). In addition to certification, look for many years of experience. Many trainers have the certification but have never applied it. Let someone else get the new kid on the block. You will want someone who knows your needs. If you are meek, you don't want a drill sergeant yelling at you who isn't sympathetic to your needs. Likewise, if you like to push the envelope, you need a personal trainer that can be just as aggressive and push you harder. Personal trainers should be adept at mirroring client personalities and demeanors in order to make the client feel more comfortable.

At first glance, hiring a personal trainer may seem intimidating. However, by applying these principles in your search for a personal trainer, you will discover a wide array of trainers who are proficient, professional, and cost-effective.