It’s the time of year for many to think back-to-school. But what about also thinking back-into-fitness?
Fall is the time of year for many to resume a regular routine and look for indoor fitness options and regular nutritious meals. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This is where personal training can come into play.
Why do we need personal training?
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, wrote centuries ago, “If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.”
Unfortunately, statistics reflect that we are not in alignment with those words because as a nation, our health is declining, obesity is rising and our health care costs are increasing.
The prevalence of obesity was 39.8% and affected about 93.3 million of U.S. adults in 2015 and 2016. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer that are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008. The medical cost for people who have obesity was $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
What is a personal trainer?
The International Sports Sciences Association defines a personal trainer as “a person who educates and trains clients in the performance of safe and appropriate exercises in order to effectively lead them to optimal health.”
This means that a personal trainer will help you identify specific, realistic and attainable goals, then create a training program meant for you.
When searching for a personal trainer, the first thing you need to look for is someone who has been trained on the human body, fitness assessments, safety and individualized program development. The second item to be considered is your relationship with your trainer. It should be life-altering, and for this to occur, it is imperative that you have a trusting relationship for authentic and sustainable change.
Your training program will not only incorporate your goals, but it also will incorporate:
Individual ability level.Home/gym training options.Fitness safety education.Basic nutrition education.Motivation/guidance.
People find all of these helpful, but many people say that the need for continued motivation and guidance is of utmost importance because this is where people fall short of their goals.
Research supports this. The American Society of Training and Development reports that scheduled appointments can increase your chances of success by 95%. That is nothing short of amazing.
In short, a personal trainer offers you the opportunity to efficiently use the time that you have available to maximize your result.
Eli Licht is a health and wellness coach and personal trainer.
