"Do I really need a personal trainer?" "I'm going to try it on my own first.
" Are you starting an exercise routine? Did you recently join a health club? The question and statement above are the most common responses I've heard over the last 30 years about starting with a program.
I've worked with older adults for three decades with a focus on reviewing research that tells the truth about the best exercise for benefits.
I've witnessed a gap in this decision-making process.
If you're contemplating whether a personal trainer is necessary or a frivolous extra read on to weigh your pros and cons.
There are three outcomes of not getting the right kind of help when you're trying to set a new habit.
Most of the time that decision to put off getting specific help also delays results.
Often putting off help can lead to injury.
At least, the lack of confidence that knowing what to do brings can result in you avoiding the club altogether.
There are four stages below that describe the learning process.
They'll help you better understand where you are and how a fitness professional can help you.
You'll also understand how to use your personal trainer.
You can ask for specific outcomes from a session and make sure that you get the most value from your time, money and exercise.
1.
Unconscious Incompetence.
This is where you need a trainer the most.
It's where you're most likely to ask the question "Do I really need a personal trainer?" You do.
You just have no idea yet what you're doing wrong.
You don't realize there are a lot of details to exercises that lead to safer and better results.
You aren't aware of the sequence of exercises that is optimal for you.
In this stage you're likely to be thinking that just moving and doing something is better than doing nothing.
While this is true, if you've started and stopped before you know that seeing results and avoiding soreness and aches and pains is important.
Your motivation depends on good results early.
Hire a trainer to give you a specific plan of what to do and how many days to do it.
Have him write it down in words, illustrate it, video tape it, or get it to you in a way that works for you.
Review it with him and then go ahead and try it alone if you prefer once you have the right plan.
2.
Conscious Incompetence.
This stage is where you begin to know what questions to ask.
You'll find you get the most value out of working with a trainer now.
You'll feel more in control of the sessions.
You can guide the sessions by bringing a list of questions to your trainer.
In some cases personal training sessions you have at this stage won't be a "workout" or exercise session.
The time spent will be very valuable to you though so that you can exercise on your own.
Take control of your time with a trainer.
Your trainer's idea of an effective session may be that they take you through a warm up to cool down exercise session.
Let him know what you want from the session.
If he's only entertained you through the hour with exercise after exercise you won't remember, and that doesn't serve your needs, it's not a successful experience.
3.
Unconscious Competence.
At this stage you are accidentally doing things right.
If you have a detail-oriented trainer with a reputation for being a good teacher, he will tell you that you are doing it correctly.
Knowing how and why to do it right is as valuable as being corrected when you're doing it wrong.
You may do some exercises correctly from the beginning.
If your trainer draws your attention to that you will continue to do it right.
If you're not told you are more likely to be hit-and-miss getting the exercise right for a long time.
If you have a trainer who likes to socialize about other things during your session, including during exercises, he will miss more of these details.
It's wonderful to enjoy your time with a trainer by having things in common.
It's also going to disappoint you if you have fewer results from working with your trainer.
If you're wondering about your technique being correct even if your trainer is in the middle of a good story, interrupt and ask.
It's your time.
4.
Conscious Competence.
You are now fully aware of how to do your exercises correctly.
There are things you may not be able to do, but you know when that's true.
You may not be able to flow smoothly through a yoga sequence, for instance because you're tight and lack flexibility.
The difference now in this stage is you recognize benefits from the activity.
You're aware of the difference in your body position and someone elses.
You're aware of how to make exercise work for you or able to decide when it isn't.
Ironically, in this last stage, you may be most inclined to seek a personal trainer.
In this stage you've come through all the learning stages.
Now you know how much there is to know.
Exercisers in this stage value variety or a review of their technique from time to time.
They seek a trainer on either a regular frequent or infrequent basis to do a check in for updates on their routine.
Knowing how and why to use a trainer you'll more efficiently and effectively exercise.
You'll feel good about your exercise program.
The sooner that happens, the better your results and commitment will be.
" Are you starting an exercise routine? Did you recently join a health club? The question and statement above are the most common responses I've heard over the last 30 years about starting with a program.
I've worked with older adults for three decades with a focus on reviewing research that tells the truth about the best exercise for benefits.
I've witnessed a gap in this decision-making process.
If you're contemplating whether a personal trainer is necessary or a frivolous extra read on to weigh your pros and cons.
There are three outcomes of not getting the right kind of help when you're trying to set a new habit.
Most of the time that decision to put off getting specific help also delays results.
Often putting off help can lead to injury.
At least, the lack of confidence that knowing what to do brings can result in you avoiding the club altogether.
There are four stages below that describe the learning process.
They'll help you better understand where you are and how a fitness professional can help you.
You'll also understand how to use your personal trainer.
You can ask for specific outcomes from a session and make sure that you get the most value from your time, money and exercise.
1.
Unconscious Incompetence.
This is where you need a trainer the most.
It's where you're most likely to ask the question "Do I really need a personal trainer?" You do.
You just have no idea yet what you're doing wrong.
You don't realize there are a lot of details to exercises that lead to safer and better results.
You aren't aware of the sequence of exercises that is optimal for you.
In this stage you're likely to be thinking that just moving and doing something is better than doing nothing.
While this is true, if you've started and stopped before you know that seeing results and avoiding soreness and aches and pains is important.
Your motivation depends on good results early.
Hire a trainer to give you a specific plan of what to do and how many days to do it.
Have him write it down in words, illustrate it, video tape it, or get it to you in a way that works for you.
Review it with him and then go ahead and try it alone if you prefer once you have the right plan.
2.
Conscious Incompetence.
This stage is where you begin to know what questions to ask.
You'll find you get the most value out of working with a trainer now.
You'll feel more in control of the sessions.
You can guide the sessions by bringing a list of questions to your trainer.
In some cases personal training sessions you have at this stage won't be a "workout" or exercise session.
The time spent will be very valuable to you though so that you can exercise on your own.
Take control of your time with a trainer.
Your trainer's idea of an effective session may be that they take you through a warm up to cool down exercise session.
Let him know what you want from the session.
If he's only entertained you through the hour with exercise after exercise you won't remember, and that doesn't serve your needs, it's not a successful experience.
3.
Unconscious Competence.
At this stage you are accidentally doing things right.
If you have a detail-oriented trainer with a reputation for being a good teacher, he will tell you that you are doing it correctly.
Knowing how and why to do it right is as valuable as being corrected when you're doing it wrong.
You may do some exercises correctly from the beginning.
If your trainer draws your attention to that you will continue to do it right.
If you're not told you are more likely to be hit-and-miss getting the exercise right for a long time.
If you have a trainer who likes to socialize about other things during your session, including during exercises, he will miss more of these details.
It's wonderful to enjoy your time with a trainer by having things in common.
It's also going to disappoint you if you have fewer results from working with your trainer.
If you're wondering about your technique being correct even if your trainer is in the middle of a good story, interrupt and ask.
It's your time.
4.
Conscious Competence.
You are now fully aware of how to do your exercises correctly.
There are things you may not be able to do, but you know when that's true.
You may not be able to flow smoothly through a yoga sequence, for instance because you're tight and lack flexibility.
The difference now in this stage is you recognize benefits from the activity.
You're aware of the difference in your body position and someone elses.
You're aware of how to make exercise work for you or able to decide when it isn't.
Ironically, in this last stage, you may be most inclined to seek a personal trainer.
In this stage you've come through all the learning stages.
Now you know how much there is to know.
Exercisers in this stage value variety or a review of their technique from time to time.
They seek a trainer on either a regular frequent or infrequent basis to do a check in for updates on their routine.
Knowing how and why to use a trainer you'll more efficiently and effectively exercise.
You'll feel good about your exercise program.
The sooner that happens, the better your results and commitment will be.
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