If you are one of those people who think you know all there is to know about exercise and the process of muscle building, you might want to think again. Even the best of the best out there realize that there is new information that is continually coming to surface in the vast world of the fitness and bodybuilding industry.
As such, make no mistake about it, YOU need a trainer. Maybe you need a quick brush up on your program, maybe you need a few tweaks to your diet because your progress – be it weight loss or muscle building, has abruptly ended. Or maybe you are just starting out and have really no clue what you are doing in the gym.
Whatever your case, investing in at least one session with a trainer every now and then is a very good investment of your time and money.
Read on to find out what a smart trainer can do for you.
Major Motivation
Potentially one of the greatest benefits having a trainer can provide is the motivation to stick with your workouts. There are those people who just hate to work out alone. Sure, you may have a regular gym buddy who normally is by your side, but what happens when he or she gets sick? Or maybe has another obligation? Does your gym determination go out the window?
Your trainer will be there for you. Yes, you are paying them, but hey, whatever gets you into that gym. Consistency is what gets results. Never underestimate this.
Increased Knowledge
For beginners, this is self-explanatory. They need someone to show them the basics as they’re just new to working out and don’t know very much with regards to program planning, proper technique, workout order, and so on.
For you more seasoned fitness fiends out there, don’t underestimate how much you may not know yet. Trainers can be a wealth of information since they should be continually keeping up with new research in the industry. As such, don’t be scared either to work with a few different trainers over time. Each will have their own opinions and methods, so at times this can be beneficial – especially if you aren’t quite getting the results you are looking for.
Some of you may even choose to get into an argument over a particular trainer’s beliefs. That’s fine, just be sure you have your own research to back up your point. Collaboration between people with opposing beliefs can sometimes end up in a brand new method of doing things – one that hits the best of both worlds.
The one exception to asking for thoughts from various trainers though is when you are getting ready to do a contest. In that scenario, generally it’s best to stick with one trainer for the entire pre-comp period, and then switch after that for your next competition if you weren’t happy with your experience.
Competition training and dieting can get highly specialized and if you have too many people giving you advice, you may get pulled in the wrong direction.
Ouch! Avoid Getting Sidelined
Hate being injured? It’s not a fun experience – especially if it’s a more serious injury and knocks you out for weeks at a time. A trainer will help show you the proper method of training and catch you in action before you get injured.
All it takes is one slip out of alignment for you to be in big pain very quickly. By having someone always watching your form, you form a safeguard against this. Obviously you cannot always 100% fully prevent some injuries, but make no mistake about it, you’ll decrease your risk than if you had gone about trying max lifts on your own.
Program Refresher
Been a while since you changed your workout? Counting the minutes until your workout is over? If this sounds like you, you likely need a program brush-up. Not only does getting on a new program help with motivational levels, but you should always be changing up the exercises you do every few weeks or so to prevent your body from getting just a little too comfortable with your current routine.
When your body gets comfy, you stop seeing results. Start making life miserable by pushing your boundaries and you’ll be amazed at the amount you can achieve.
So, if you haven’t had a session with a trainer in a while, it might be time to consider getting a check-up. Most are really friendly, despite what it might seem when they are putting their clients to the test.