Is A Personal Trainer Worth It

Is a personal trainer worth the money? As a fitness professional who owns a personal training company in Nashville, you may be surprised by my answer:

Honestly, it depends on who the trainer is, and what your experience as a client is. All trainers are certainly not the same, and “what it’s like to work with a personal trainer” varies widely.

Nashville is filled with under-educated fitness trainers who walk people through a workout while chit-chatting, glancing at their cell phone, and allowing poor exercise technique by the client. Why do they allow bad technique? Maybe they don’t know it’s not correct. Maybe they don’t care, or they don’t have a trained enough eye to see the difference between good form and bad form.

(Just for perspective, I’m one of the guys who has gone around the country delivering continuing education workshops for personal trainers, so I have seen a LOT of personal trainers in action over the years. And sadly I must say that the average personal trainer’s teaching technique is quite unimpressive.)

These kinds of dime-a-dozen personal trainers are NOT worth the money. You might as well join a group exercise class, or watch some YouTube workout videos.

Benefits of Hiring a Personal Trainer

Hiring a personal trainer offers numerous advantages that go beyond just working out at the gym. Certified personal trainers are experts in personal fitness who can help you achieve your fitness goals effectively. They provide personalized guidance tailored to your fitness level, ensuring you maximize your workouts and achieve results.

A key benefit of working with a personal trainer is improving your form and technique. Whether you’re new to exercise or a seasoned gym-goer, a trainer will teach you proper form, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing the effectiveness of each exercise. They also hold you accountable, ensuring you stay committed to your fitness regimen even when motivation wanes.

Personal trainers go beyond physical workouts; they act as mentors and motivators, understanding your unique needs and pushing you to surpass your limits. They offer small group training or one-on-one sessions, catering to your preference for personalized attention or the camaraderie of group dynamics.

Investing in a personal trainer is an investment in your health. They offer specialized knowledge in areas like strength training, conditioning, and even online training options, making it convenient to achieve your fitness goals wherever you are. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, build muscle, or improve overall fitness, a personal trainer can make a significant difference in your journey to a healthier lifestyle.

What to Look for in a Personal Trainer

When embarking on a fitness journey, finding the right personal trainer can make all the difference. They serve as more than just a coach; they become your partner in achieving fitness goals and improving overall well-being. The right fit goes beyond credentials; it’s about someone who understands your needs and motivates you through every workout. Personal trainers are skilled in designing personalized plans tailored to individual needs and fitness levels. They assess your current fitness level, discuss your goals, and create a roadmap to success.

A key benefit of working with a personal trainer is their ability to design a workout routine that targets specific muscle groups and areas of your body. Whether you’re aiming to build strength, improve flexibility, or enhance cardiovascular endurance, they tailor exercises to maximize results while minimizing the risk of injury. By focusing on correct form and technique, trainers ensure that every movement is safe and effective. This personalized approach not only helps in reaching fitness goals faster but also instills confidence in your abilities.

Beyond the physical aspects, personal trainers also accommodate your schedule and lifestyle. They understand that life can be hectic, so they work with you to set realistic goals and adjust workout plans accordingly. This flexibility ensures consistency and prevents falling into a workout rut. Moreover, trainers bring variety to your workouts, introducing a mix of exercises that keep sessions engaging and challenging. Whether it’s incorporating barbell exercises for strength training or small-group sessions for camaraderie, they offer options to keep you motivated.

Assessing the Value: Is Hiring a Personal Trainer Worth It?

Hiring a personal trainer can significantly accelerate your progress towards your fitness goals. Whether you’re aiming to lose weight, build muscle, or improve overall health, a trainer can tailor workouts specifically to your needs. This personalized approach ensures that every exercise contributes effectively towards your goals. Moreover, trainers bring expertise in designing comprehensive fitness plans that evolve with your progress, ensuring you stay challenged and motivated.

Exploring the pros and cons reveals that while personal trainers offer expertise and accountability, they come with considerations. On the positive side, they provide variety in exercises, from barbell workouts to small-group sessions, catering to diverse preferences and fitness levels. They also emphasize correct form and technique, crucial for preventing injuries and maximizing workout effectiveness. However, the cost can be a deterrent for those on a limited budget, making it essential to weigh the investment against long-term health benefits.

In the fitness world, personal trainers play a crucial role in supporting your health and well-being. They not only guide you toward your fitness goals but also educate you on nutrition and lifestyle choices that complement your workouts. Many people find that having a trainer boosts self-confidence and provides the motivation needed to stay committed. From correcting form to adapting workouts due to medical issues, trainers ensure that every scheduled session is productive and safe. Ultimately, their expertise and personalized approach help you navigate the pros and cons of different exercises, empowering you to achieve lasting results.

A personal trainer worth the money

A fitness trainer who IS worth the money is someone who can:

  1. Actually teach you exercise properly (go figure!),
  2. Tailor an exercise regimen to your actual needs, goals, and current abilities,
  3. Help coach you through the mindset blocks you may have around food, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits,
  4. Motivate and encourage you while accepting you exactly where you are in your journey.

A more experienced and qualified personal trainer will also be able to help with exercise rehab and lead you to a place where you overcome any of your orthopedic aches and pains (nagging neck and shoulder pain, knee problems, “bad back” etc.) We do this through corrective exercise, flexibility improvements, and proper exercise selection/execution.

is a personal trainer worth it?
Average personal trainers don’t correct your form properly.

Average Personal Trainers

If you walk into a typical gym and buy a block of personal training sessions, chances are you will be taught poorly but treated nicely. Your only two benefits will probably be:

1) Accountability – you have to show up because you have an appointment to exercise. You’re paying to make yourself go work out.

2) Entertainment. Most trainers are good “people persons” who are likable, and will entertain you while you exercise. You’ll work hard and get tired. This feels good. Anyone can make you tired, so these kind of personal trainers are on every street corner.

If those two benefits make personal training worth the money to you, go for it.

But people often end up with back problems or shoulder problems from these kinds of trainers, and have to learn proper exercise technique from someone better. Sometimes they end up in physical therapy. Sometimes they just quit working out altogether, or end up becoming one of the Walking Wounded who just pushes through their chronic orthopedic pain. Boo.

I think you deserve better!

Better Personal Trainers

In Nashville, you have the opportunity to work with a fitness professional who is truly special:

  • Actual teaching skills and knowledge,
  • Exercise programming tailored to YOU, not just doing the workout of the day.
  • Avoiding exercises that cause injury.
  • Nutrition and lifestyle coaching from someone who truly understands you. This can change your life.

So with this kind of trainer, is personal training worth the investment? It’s hard to argue about spending money for someone who provides that kind of value.

If you’d rather get your personal training and nutrition help from someone special, reach out to Basics and Beyond fitness & nutrition with a message right now. I’ll call you back myself so we can talk about what will work best for you.

Your friend and coach,
Dan DeFigio, director GettingFit.com.

dan defigio
Dan DeFigio is a well-known personal trainer and health coach in Nashville. Dan has been featured on CNN’s Fit Nation, The Dr. Phil Show, SELF Magazine, Readers Digest, MyFitnessPal, Shape Magazine, and a host of other media outlets.