Personal Training

Personal Training

By Dee McMath

Many people still consider having a personal trainer as a luxury beyond their means. This could not be further from the truth. Whether you are a regular exerciser looking for fresh inspiration or a couch potato who doesn’t know where to begin, the one-to-one guidance of a personal trainer through a tailor made fitness programme could turns out to be priceless.

The media spotlight on the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle and the potential dangers of eating junk food has left many people wanting to make changes. Joining a local gym or sports club is an excellent move in the right direction. There are also numerous other sports and outdoor activities available to help you have fun while shedding a few pounds and improving your wellbeing.

But how many times have you started a new fitness regime and soon lost interest? Even worse is the possibility of injuring yourself by doing too much too soon. The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to find a good personal trainer who will advise and motivate you in the right direction and at a pace to suit your needs.

Goal Setting

The best way to improve physical fitness is to set goals. For some it may be that they want to run a marathon or join in a charity fun run. For others it may be to reach a target weight and stay there. On the other hand, someone who has been going to the gym for some time may feel that their repetitive routine has become boring and they are in a rut. A good personal trainer has the skill and know-how to look at each individual case and work out a safe and interesting schedule in accordance with specific requirements. Although you pay an hourly rate for this privilege, it is likely to save you a lot of time and money, by showing you how to train safely and efficiently – something that will stay with you for many years to come.

How to chose your personal trainer

Experience and qualifications
Find someone with recognised qualifications, preferably a degree in Fitness Science or some other fitness related field and/or an Advanced Diploma in Personal Training. This ensures that they have studied anatomy and physiology and understand how the body and its energy systems respond to exercise. It is preferable that as well as these qualifications, they also have several years experience. An active interest on their part in the advances in the fitness industry via journals, conferences and courses, is also something to look for.
A personal trainer (as with all fitness instructors) must have a current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or First Aid Certificate in case of emergency.

Personality
No matter how highly qualified a personal trainer may be, an essential ingredient to look for is personality. Motivation is vital to keeping you going. To get results you will have to work hard and a personal trainer with the right blend of enthusiasm, patience and inspiration will transmit this to you so that you really look forward to your next workout. With the right knowledge, experience and approach, the personal trainer will be able to put you at ease as he/she put your through your paces.

Getting started with a personal trainer

Screening
You will be expected to complete a questionnaire, giving a short medical history and lifestyle profile for the personal trainer to be aware of any issues that may affect specific exercises.

Evaluation of Present Fitness Level
Your present fitness level will be evaluated in order to allow the personal trainer to create a realistic programme for you. This evaluation will include:

• Strength and aerobic fitness test: they will ask to see how many push-ups and sit-ups you can manage. They will also assess your exertion level on the treadmill.
• Flexibility: you will be asked to stretch or try to touch your toes, to allow the trainer to assess how flexible your muscles are and thus draw up an appropriate safe exercise programme to increase your flexibility at the right pace to avoid injury.

Prices

In Andalusia, the cost per hour of a personal trainer may vary, depending on the area you are in, but prices range from between around 45 to 75 euros per hour.

Conclusion

In the last few years there has been an increased awareness that regular exercise is not an option, but a necessity for a long and healthy life. A personal trainer gives you the choice of training safely and effectively at home, in the gym or even on the beach. You will be kept motivated and inspired to reach your goals, while having fun on the way. Having a personal trainer is no longer something that belongs in the exclusive domain of the rich and famous. It is now an excellent and affordable service within the grasp of many people of all nationalities who live or spend time in Andalusia. This is surely one of the best places under the sun to get fit with your own personal trainer who will make sure that your body is fit for the beach!