Do you need a personal trainer?

For decades, athletes have hired personal trainers to help them design individualized fitness programs and menus, and to encourage and support them. This type of personalized service can help to ensure that athletes are at their peak when they compete, since a personal trainer helps to maximize his or her client’s strength, stamina, and overall fitness level. In recent years, the role of the personal trainer has changed, as more and more ordinary citizens have discovered the advantages of hiring a professional to help them attain optimal fitness levels. Fortunately, Port Credit residents have access to some of the province’s finest personal trainers.

There are many reasons why you might choose to engage a personal trainer. These might include:

  • To lose weight. It’s estimated that 60 – 70% of adult Ontarians are overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to many health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility, back pain, and even cancer. In addition, being overweight puts pressure on joints and can limit mobility. Some individuals may even be discriminated against because of their weight. Losing weight can help people gain energy and confidence, and can make a big difference to quality of life.
  • To reach maximum fitness levels. If you are a runner or other type of athlete, you may have an interest in challenging yourself to higher strength and stamina. A personal trainer can help you find the right combination of resistance, cardio, and flex routines to maximize your potential.
  • To combat a particular health condition. If you have been diagnosed with any type of degenerative disease, you may wish to follow a program designed to alleviate the symptoms. For example, many people who have arthritis choose to hire a personal trainer to devise a program that will work to improve range of motion in problem areas. If you have diabetes, exercise combined with diet can work miracles, and even reverse the progress of the disease. Following a heart attack or stroke, many people need specially-designed guidelines to help them work out safely.
  • To offset the effects of aging. Many people reaching middle age begin to realize that their fitness levels are not ideal. Becoming more physically active can help to slow the aging process, improve your posture, help you to sleep better, and can add many years to your life.
    Choosing a Trainer

Most personal trainers will meet with you in an initial free consultation so that you can see if they are a good fit for your needs. Be sure to find out what kind of experience and credentials the trainer has. Your trainer should be an expert in human anatomy and psyche, and should have certifications in areas such as sports training and rehabilitation, weight loss/muscle gain, full program design, and nutritional counseling. Ask if the trainer might provide you with current or recent clients as references. After letting the personal trainer know about your specific fitness goals, ask what sort of workout plan he or she would design.

About the Author

Michael R. Koprich

C.P.T.N., A.C.E, C.F.C.

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