Do you need a personal trainer?

Most people baulk at the idea of having a personal trainer.

They are more expensive than gym memberships and with the average rates outside of London anywhere from £40-£75 per hour and in London anywhere from £60 – £150.

It’s understandable that hiring a PT is considered a luxury but when you compare that to the billions wasted on unused gym memberships it represents excellent value.

We can justify paying out for a good bottle of wine or have manicures and facials weekly yet paying for a personal trainer is beyond our financial justification.

Claire-Louise Linnett, 27 years and an experienced PT says “the benefits of choosing a PT are worth sacrificing the luxuries depending on how much individuals need motivation and guidance to progress with their health and fitness. When you choose to work with a PT you are paying not just for a workout but for effectiveness, appropriateness and improved confidence”.

Mark, 49 a Managing Director based in Bedford says “it’s value engineering”. I’ve had a personal trainer for over 6 years and train twice weekly. I’ve cut back on my local pub trips and justified the cost because I can see the fitness and health benefits”.

Having a personal trainer helps establish a fitness routine that is tailored around your availability and to your specific needs. Whether it’s losing weight, improving muscle tone or simply requiring motivation to work out. The side effects after taking Valium were very tangible and unpleasant: headache, vertigo, sickness, heartburn, pain in the liver and increased heartbeat, but at the same time I was weak and handi capped;I felt very bad. The drug didn’t suit me.

Obesity has doubled since 1980 according to the World Health Organisation and with obesity levels set to rise even more by 2050 governments are spending millions on campaigns to encourage us to get fit and eat healthily.

Since 2009 there has been a surge in the recruitment of personal trainers and according to the fitness exercise register there are over 19,000 PT’s in the UK capable of stretching, toning and pushing us to the very limits of our ability, endurance and existence.

Claire-Louise Linnett has spent 6 years training people of all ages, shapes and sizes, “one of the main reasons people come to me for training is time and motivation. They find it difficult to make time to go to the gym but training with me ensures they are committed, focused and turn up for the session.

The key to being a good PT is understanding what the client hopes to get out of their sessions and tailor a program that they will love to do so they will experience real benefits, keeping it fresh and different each session means the client won’t get bored”.

Aileen, a 62-year-old retiree says having a PT is important to my well being. Now that I’m retired I have more time and want to get fitter and feel better about myself”.

PT’s help to enforce an exercise regime and foster good eating habits because they have acquired knowledge of everything that is essential in exercise and healthy living through training.

The register of exercise professionals provides certification for all UK PT’s. As a member of the register PT’s are obliged to undergo continued professional development to ensure that their knowledge is up to date it also means they are insured to practice.

What do good personal trainers offer?

1. They provide accountability and motivation
2. Expertise and know how in what they teach
3. They will customise each training session to suit the needs of their clients
4. They will help you achieve your fitness goals
5. They will review your progress and advise and vary your training sessions accordingly
6. Consistency – they will always turn up for your session

How do you find the right personal trainer? 

• Find a qualified PT from the fitness industry register
• What experience do they have and can they provide references
• Be clear on your personal objectives and ensure you tell your PT what your goals are
• Make sure YOU feel comfortable with them
• Ask for 2-3 sessions to see how it works for you before you decide to commit longer term