I came across Jason Gay’s WSJ article on rules for conquering the gym. I have to say, many are really funny. But there is some definite truth to some of them. His #2 rule is getting a instructor/personal trainer/fitness coach to help you with exercise form and technique. That really can’t be overstated since many people do end up getting hurt shortly within their start or return to exercise.
What do I get with personal training/fitness coaching?
Personal training, or how we prefer to call it-‘fitness coaching‘- is a great way to get the direction you need to help you reach your fitness goals. Most people will look into hiring a personal trainer/fitness coach for:
- learning exercise technique
- Someone to watch form
- Specific exercise selection to help with a specific issue (i.e. reduce back pain, get rid of shin splints)
- Expertise and ideas on breaking through a plateau
- Motivation, support & help in making & creating healthy lifestyles
While all these reasons are valid, many of our senior fitness clients mention that there are other advantages to investing in a personal trainer/fitness coach:
- Accountability
- Missing link between physical therapy or doctor care to performing like you’d like to
- Expertise in knowing how to reverse and/or slow the aging progress
- Dialing the right dosage of the right types of exercise to get the most benefits.
This last point is crucial. Often people don’t see the results they should be simply because they aren’t reaching the critical thresholds of different types of exercise to reach the tipping point of getting a return on your investment.
Take the goal ‘litmus test’ here.
P.S. Jason’s #11 rule on squatting is also true. Squatting-when done correctly really can be a total body exercise and is such a functional exercise for all ages. Post below to add your rules for conquering the gym.
