Keeping fit is always a good option for anyone at any age. It leads to physical strength and stamina, and imparts emotional well-being due to the chemicals released during training. Problems occur and questions remain for many individuals when deciding to use a personal trainer, however. A personal trainer can help prevent injury and give motivation as well as structure to a training routine. A personal trainer knows anatomy and can focus on problem spots with specific exercises. Most individuals, however, tend to either overdo the personal training or not do enough to see real results.
How many times should an individual train weekly with a personal trainer?
There are many factors to consider when deciding how often to train:
- How much time can be spared eeach week? This must be taken into consideration and a trainer will suggest a timeline to see results.
- How much money can be spent? This also is a consideration as although a personal trainer does not cost and arm and a leg, there can be other bills or needs that must be addressed.
- What kind of shape is a client in when first starting? This is crucial as if a client has been training regularly,then it is most likely just need “maintenance” program, or perhaps some motivation is needed. If a client is in good shape but not seeing the results they would like to see, then a personal trainer who has a certification in personal training can problem solve with the client and help them adjust their training and work out a plan.
- How stable is a client’s weight? A good trainer will start slowly with someone who is overweight, as pushing too hard or too fast can cause injury.
- What are the client’s goals? Big and buff or just simply toned up and trimmer? This is part of what a trainer takes into consideration when developing a plan for each client.
- Are there underlying health or joint problems? Some aerobics and weight bearing exercises can exacerbate existing health problems. Being honest with a trainer will lead to a much better plan of action astypes and styles of exercise and training exist.
Having a personal trainer will increase accountability
It can be very easy to blow off a workout whentired or just feeling lackadaisical. A personal training session will keeps clients on track more often as clients know the trainer is waiting . Whether once a week or several times a week, accountability increases dramatically with regularly scheduled workouts with a personal trainer. It is also easier now to access personal training as many group and individual sessions are often offered remotely and there is no reason to go to a gym if this is not a priority.It is easier than ever now to access personal training and work it into a daily or weekly routine from home.
Is there a commitment to a certain number of hours or sessions?
Generally not, but do remember that personal trainers work on a schedule much like therapists or other service businesses. They have commitments and are in other sessions throughout each day so ensuring that too many cancellations or “no shows” do not occur is a simple matter of courtesy. A bond of trust does develop between a personal trainer and their clients so keeping the trust intact does lead to a better experience overall. Be upfront right from the beginning about how many hours can be committed to the training either monthly or weekly, and discuss what kind of results can be achieved within the timeframe chosen. Miracles do not happen so the less training that occurs,the longer it will take to see results.
Information on general costs and session lengths
This is by no means a guarantee on pricing as different areas have a different cost of living. Most personal trainers charge between $25 to $50 per hour and the sessions generally run on 30 minute segments, with 90 minutes usually being the longest session. Using mathematics then, a 60 minute session is generally about $50 to $80 dollars.. These costs can be cut also though by doing a group session where everyone splits the costs, or where a discount is given for group classes.
A group session can run as little as $35.00 per hour especially if a remote session is done. If a trainer comes to alocation there may be additional costs also depending upon where the trainer is coming from. Do not be afraid to discuss costs as every personal trainer is also a business person and will provide this information willingly. Gym rates are usually assessed per month, and there can be special discounts at certain times of the year, so shopping around does help keep within your training goals and budget. Costs can also be impacted by the length of time a trainer has been in practice and their licensing and certifcations.
There are two types of certifications that each trainer should have, but some trainers take extra classes and become “experts” turning the training into a real achievement for the clients. Of course, the “expert” trainers will charge more but can be well worth the cost as results will be seen rather quickly. The two types of training are the NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) and another caledl the NSCA-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer). No one should go by cost alone as a non-certified trainer can cause injury to a client.
Conclusion
There is no hard and fast answer to how many times anyone should see a personal trainer weekly. It could be once or several times a week. What works for one individual will not suit another. What is a must is to ensure a trainer is certified and devoted to overall health, wellness and realistic training. No matter what physical shape, even if overweight, a trainer will not be judgmental in anyway, as they are in the field to help others achieve optimal health and wellness through physical training.
