The personal training world has exploded in the 21st century, with an increase in the number of gyms, new exercise approaches, and lots more people turning to exercise to improve not only their physical condition, but their mental health as well.
According to Statista, in 2011 there were roughly 15,000 personal trainers employed in the UK. Since then, this figure has increased by more than 50% and there are now more than 22,000 PTs working up and down the country.
The personal training industry has gone from strength to strength and continues to do so each year. Here are some of the reasons why more and more people are choosing to hire personal trainers:
1. PTs provide extra motivation
Training with a partner is an effective way to increase motivation as they will urge you to work harder than you might ordinarily do if you were training alone, pushing you to complete that extra rep or run that additional mile you didn’t think you were capable of.
This will enhance the rate at which you will make progress, meaning you can set more challenging goals going forward and still look to complete them within the previous timeframe.
2. Fitness expertise/education
A PT must have studied for and passed a certified personal trainer course before they can begin assisting clients in a gym. The course will have provided them with heaps of knowledge regarding health and fitness, including anatomy, physiology, and an understanding of how the body works, all of which they need to help you safely achieve your goals.
You will be able to trust your personal trainer to provide you with reliable advice on nutrition, training methods, supplements, and other health and fitness-related questions you have.
3. Improve your technique
Correct form is crucial when training in the gym. The better your technique, the more effective your training will be, and the faster you’ll achieve your fitness objectives.
One of the most common causes of injury in the gym is incorrect form. By adopting a rigorous attitude towards your technique you’ll reduce the chance of incurring injury or wasting energy on muscle groups you’re inadvertently working for that particular movement.
4. Keep you accountable
Training with a PT will increase your accountability for your own fitness journey. It’s far easier to skip a workout if you’re on your own than if you’re working alongside someone else.
You’ll be more likely to persevere with your program and abide by your agreed exercise and nutrition plans, especially if you have to report back to your trainer each week.
5. Form a specialised training plan
Personal trainers are skilled in writing performance-enhancing programs that are designed to help you reach your target. The programmes will be written exclusively to suit your requirements, instead of the one-size-fits-all programmes you might find online.
A personalised training programme is always more beneficial and will detail what your goals are, how you’re going to achieve them, and include realistic dates for accomplishing them.
6. Boost your confidence
Thanks to their fitness knowledge and experience in a gym, working with a personal trainer will see your confidence surge, as you’ll gain an understanding of how to perform exercises correctly, and which exercises are most effective for your specific goals.
This new-found confidence will soon seep into other areas of your life, ensuring you’re poised to take on any challenge that comes your way.
7. You have a specific illness/injury
A personal trainer or exercise referral instructor will show you specific training methods and exercises that can aid recovery. Injuries and health conditions may impact the range of exercises some people are able to carry out, restricting their workouts.
Exercise referral instructors are specially trained to help those with a wide range of requirements, catering for conditions such as obesity, hypertension, back pain, and more, ensuring their workouts are just as effective, despite their limiting circumstances.
8. To avoid training plateaus
Are you bored of your current training plan? Have your results stagnated? Plateaus are the kryptonite of any gym-goer and are one of the main reasons people struggle to attain their goals.
A personal trainer will analyse where you need to improve, provide you with an effective plan, and give you that boost you need to break through that plateau and get back on track.
9. Varied workouts
An experienced personal trainer will have an abundance of knowledge spanning a wide range of health and fitness domains, including how to use an array of different training methods and equipment to supplement your fitness plan.
Varying the types of training you do keeps it fun and interesting, meaning you’ll be engaged for longer and are far more likely to reach your goal on schedule, or even before your target date.
10. Challenge you to improve
A personal trainer will challenge you and push you further than you would go yourself, or even with the help of your family or friends. A good PT will consistently analyse how you perform in each session and provide you with methods that will improve your workouts.
They will also offer guidance for how to develop other areas of your life such as ways to better your sleeping habits and nutritional advice.
Summary
Hiring a personal trainer is a positive investment in your health and fitness, and there are many more benefits beyond the ten listed in this article. For more health and fitness-related tips and advice, visit HFE.
