Is your training personal enough?
The world of exercise can be overwhelming. Bylines in magazines promising quick fixes, fad diets, 3,000 steps to the perfect crunch… Wait, aren’t crunches actually bad for you now?! All of those machines (am I the only one terrified of venturing into the forest of weights and wires?!) I recently began working on my fitness again after a fairly long hiatus. I may or may not just have celebrated my second anniversary of marriage… And of abandoning my gym membership. Happy pounds! Amiright?! Ahem. And I know so many of you brides-to-be are thinking about starting, or already have started your Get Fit For The Wedding plans. This week we've got some inspiration/advice for you from someone way more qualified than me!
Kevin Perrone, a personal trainer and old friend, is here to talk to us about the advantages of training with a professional over going it alone. After all, your body is an awesome, unique machine; it deserves to be entrusted to someone whose job is to make it run its best.
How many sessions do you think you need?
- Many people think they need to see their trainer at least 3 days a week. This isn’t necessarily true. I see some clients 3 days a week, some 2, and some once a week. For others, following an assessment and establishing that their form is safe and acceptable, I’ll write up individualized programs for them to follow at home. Then a month later we reassess and adapt the plan as needed.
How many times have you started to get back into shape only to get hurt?
- A good trainer will evaluate your current ability and then tailor your program around any limitations. A trainer isn’t just there to tell you what exercise to do but to watch you the entire time, ensuring good form and safety. Because any exercise you do is a skill, having a set of professional eyes to evaluate and provide feedback is the best way to make sure you're doing it right. The time and potential pain saved by not suffering unnecessary set backs are huge benefits.
How many times have you promised yourself that you’ll get to the gym 4 days a week? How many times did 4 days become 2? And then 1?...
- Paying for a trainer has the benefit of attaching more value to your exercise goals. You can’t improve your fitness if you don’t spend the time. Knowing that you have to meet someone at a specific time is a great way to make sure your workouts remain a priority.
How many times have you felt stuck in a rut and bored with your workout?
- Did you know that while you do get better at a specific exercise the longer you do it, you also burn fewer calories doing it? You’re not getting the biggest burn you can by just going through your normal routine. Trainers make sure you’re always switching things up to challenge your body and keep workouts fun and engaging.
Do you see training as a cost rather than an investment?
- When you pay for a trainer you’re not just paying for an hour of time; you’re paying for their knowledge. You’re getting information on how to be stronger, leaner, healthier, and more mobile from now to the foreseeable future. There's a saying that "a good teacher costs a lot but a poor teacher costs more." Taking the time to learn correct form with appropriate exercises is an investment in your future body and health that will continue to appreciate.
There are thousands of exercise plans and programs floating around on Youtube, in magazines, on DVDs… The problem is that they are not tailored to you. Personal training provides professional guidance, accountability, and accommodations for the individual so you can get the best results possible.
Not to mention you get your own personal cheerleader!!
Kevin Perrone: H/FS LMBT #8991 is a personal trainer and massage therapist operating out of a private studio in Durham. For more information you can contact him at kevin_perrone@yahoo.com.
Til we Gather Together again...
-Fay