Should You Workout with a Personal Trainer

When you are new to strength training, working with a personal trainer can help you start nice and slow.

Here’s our top reasons why working out with a Personal Trainer can be beneficial for you:

Increases Accountability

One of the most challenging parts about maintaining a workout routine can be just that — doing the workouts, and doing them consistently.

If someone isn’t expecting you to meet them at the gym, you’re much more likely to skip out if you’d rather stay in bed or lounge on the couch instead.

Working with a personal trainer will give you the nudge you need to get your workout in. You may also find you work harder with a trainer by your side than you would if you went at it alone.

Ever heard the saying, “If you want to go far, go together?” There’s ample research to show that the more support someone has with their health and fitness goals, the more likely they are to succeed.

In fact, one analysis of 11 years’ worth of studies looked at how well people stuck to their weight loss routines. It found that the more accountability people have, the more likely they were to stick to their strength training workout.

You’ll learn about Health, Fitness, and Your Body

A personal trainer isn’t just there to make you sweat — you likely learn something from your time together, too. They can help you learn proper form, teach you new movements, and make modifications for any injuries you might have.

Let’s take a specific exercise for a second, though. Take the squat — a movement that seems basic enough but is actually very nuanced.

There are many factors at play, including your head position, upper and lower back position, pelvis position, knee alignment, and foot position, and each is dependent upon your fitness level, body mechanics, goals, and more.

Having a personal trainer to guide you through the correct positioning and form is invaluable. They can help ensure that you’re performing the exercise most effectively for your body.

You’ll not only likely see better results but also avoid potential injury this way.

Helps with Goal Setting

Have you ever set a huge health and fitness goal — say to just life a healthier lifestyle - and you don’t know how to get started? Or maybe you’re not in the habit of goal setting at all, and you could simply use some guidance.

A personal trainer can help you set realistic and attainable goals based on your personal experiences and abilities, aiding you in your progress along the way.

And even if you just want to stay active or feel better, having a goal when you’re on a fitness journey, no matter how big or small it is, can be an important factor in keeping you motivated.

Flexible Schedule and Format

You can meet with a personal trainer in person at a gym weekly, several times a week, or even monthly — whatever works best for you.

Sessions typically range from 30–60 minutes and will cater to your personal goals. There’s a personal trainer for everyone, regardless of your physical abilities, level of experience, location, or budget.

Promotes Exercise Variety

You may be a creature of habit when it comes to exercise, always gravitating to the same equipment at the gym or doing the same workouts at home.

A personal trainer can introduce you to exercises you may have never done before or would never have attempted on your own, decreasing your chance of boredom and hitting a plateau.

Moral of the story? It can be good to switch things up. You’ll challenge your body’s movement patterns and make your brain work, too. Plus, maybe you’ll find something you love. And if you don’t, you’ll be happy to know that you tried it.

Helps your Mental Health

Personal trainers can help with several aspects of your mental health.

For one, there’s a notable amount of research that supports the positive effect physical activity can have on mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Exercise increases blood circulation to the brain, helping reduce stress and improve mood and cognitive function overall. Working with a trainer consistently will help you reap these benefits.

Plus, a good personal trainer will take an interest in your life — your family, your career, your struggles — and can become a confidante of sorts. Knowing that someone is in your corner rooting for you, not only in the gym but also outside of it, is a good feeling.

Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle Change

Working with a personal trainer can help you develop good habits for a lifetime.

One study found that people do a whopping 43% of their everyday actions while they’re thinking about something else.

This means that if you don’t purposely integrate those healthy habits — taking the stairs instead of the elevator, drinking water over soda, sleeping 8 hours — you may have a harder time seeing results.

A trainer can help you make these changes one by one and support you through any roadblocks that may arise. Starting small and adding to the wins is the most effective way to master habit change, and a good personal trainer will help you navigate this territory.

The Bottom Line

A personal trainer can give you the tools and support that you need to reach a health and fitness goal.

They can provide support, accountability, education, and a personalized plan of attack, so you may find working with one well worth the investment.