Wirral Life August 2019 | Page 77

but it can also lead to ​plateau​ing, injury and fatigue. Here are just a few examples of how a trainer can help you in this circumstance: • Bring a fresh perspective to your workouts:​ A trainer is coming at this with an objective eye and may see some things about your program or workouts right away that can make them more interesting and fun. They may also have access to different or new equipment. • Help you set new and more challenging goals and push you harder than you push yourself: ​A trainer may have an idea for a local event that you could enter to stay on track with your long term goals and vary your training. • Workout with you:​ Another option you may have is having the trainer engage in the workout with you, adding a competitive element to your workouts. ​Maybe you may want someone who will not only guide you through workouts but do things with you so you're not exercising on your own. 4. YOU'RE TRAINING FOR A SPORT OR YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC ILLNESS, INJURY, OR CONDITION An experienced personal trainer can be a huge help if you're into a specific sport, even professional athletes have a coach! ​Alternatively if you have a specific injury or condition, a trainer may have a specific qualification to ensure that you can work around this. Here are just a few examples of how a trainer can help you in this circumstance: • Come up with the right workouts:​ An experienced trainer will know what exercises you need to do specific to your needs. They can design workouts to strengthen the areas you need to work on. A good trainer will always refer you to a specialist or at least research if they are unsure. • Come up with a good training schedule:​ Training is about more than just workouts. It's also about having the right amount of ​ recovery time​. A trainer can help you create a schedule that allows you to get the most out of your body while allowing it to heal and recover. • Help with avoiding injury:​ A trainer can help you with ​cross- training​ so you work other muscles in your body, allowing the other muscles to rest or work in a different way to avoid overuse and injury. 5. YOU WANT TO WORKOUT AT HOME If you'd like to ​exercise at home​ but you don't have a lot of equipment or aren't sure how to use what you have, in-home personal training is an excellent choice. Here are just a few examples of how a trainer can help you in this circumstance: • Convenience:​ You don't have to pack a bag or drive to the gym. The trainer comes to you at a time that works for you. • Privacy:​ Not everyone wants to work out in front of people at the gym. Working out in your own space can be more comfortable and make you f ​ eel less self-conscious​. • Learning how to workout at home:​ Most of us have things like ​ resistance bands​, dumbbells, and an ​exercise ball​, but you may have • no idea how to actually use those in your environment. A good trainer can show you how to use those tools as well as others you may not have thought of; a staircase​, your couch, a chair or a tin of beans. Variety:​ A trainer can also change your workouts as often as you like so you never get bored. NOW YOU HAVE DECIDED THAT YOU WANT TO INVEST, WHAT AND WHERE SHOULD YOU BE LOOKING FOR A PERSONAL TRAINER? Most ​reputable​ gyms have personal trainers, this option will normally offer you piece of mind that have the relevant qualifications and insurance, however with so much access to social media and online courses unfortunately anybody can call themselves a personal trainer so it is important that you look for these credentials and qualities: • Qualifications and certification: A personal trainer should be certified through a credible​ personal training organisation​, such as ACSM, NASM or YMCA. Your trainer should also have an updated certification in CPR and/or first aid. • Business policies: The trainer should have public liability insurance and provide a copy of the policies and procedures for services, costs, cancellations, and refunds. • Experience: Make sure your trainer has experience, especially in relation to your goals. For example, if you're a bodybuilder, you want someone knowledgeable in that area. • Specifics: If you have a specific medical problem, injury or condition (such as being pregnant, difficulty getting pregnant, heart problems, diabetes, etc.) make sure your trainer has education in these areas and will work with your doctor. • A good listener: A good trainer will listen closely to what you say and make sure he understands your goals. • Attention: A good trainer will be focused only on you during your sessions. • Tracking progress: A good trainer will regularly assess your progress and change things if necessary. WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR SESSIONS? Each session usually lasts around one hour. The first session should be devoted to assessing your fitness level, ​body measurements​, exercise and health history, and your goals. Be prepared to have your measurements taken, and answer specific questions about your goals. After that, your sessions will be physical training. Your trainer should show you how to do the exercises, assess and advise how much weight to use, and give you tips for getting the most out of each exercise. Your trainer should provide you with workout routines, track your progress, and modify your workouts as needed to help you reach your goals. Knowing how you can benefit and whether it will be worth the expense can help you decide whether this is a good choice for you. Your session may range from £30-£50 an hour for a good trainer but ultimately you ​ can't put a price tag on seeking expert advice. wirrallife.com 77