Do I need a Personal Trainer?

The personal trainer (PT) is a growing figure in many parts of the world, especially in the UK, where as of 2024, the market size of the industry is about £705.1 million, reflecting steady growth despite economic challenges such as the rising cost of living.

Why, then, do some people find it so difficult to exercise and move more?

Humans are not very good at prevention. We tend to be more reactive than proactive, especially when it comes to health:

We smoke.

We sleep too little.

We don't move enough.

We don't exercise.

Most people are aware of what they should be doing but for various reasons, they often postpone taking action until a significant event forces them to change. However, neglecting important actions can have a negative impact on our health. Our bodies are remarkable and will always attempt to adapt but there is a point of no return beyond which illnesses and injuries will manifest.

While there are things we cannot control (environmental pollution, certain stressors caused by life situations, certain genes...), there are others that will help us have a better quality of life and keep illnesses and injuries away.

In this article, we focus on physical exercise and how a personal trainer can make a difference.

Don't fall victim to a smooth talker

Nowadays, with the abundance of available information, there are training options for everyone, and knowing how to market oneself is crucial. The issue is that the world of PT and fitness, in general, is a place where there are too many PTs with very little knowledge. People who have been training for years with a great physique become PTs, but they have never opened a book on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, or training programming.

This is dangerous because we are talking about the health of the people we work with. Even more when you also work with pregnant women or people with certain pathologies.

What worked for that PT may harm you more than benefit you. It's important to understand that even though your body might seem to handle everything until the age of 30, it doesn't mean you won't suffer the consequences in the future. A knee problem at 35 may not arise solely due to ageing or the previous day's workout, but rather due to the way you have been training all this time.

How to increase the chances of finding a good PT?

Make sure that, at the very least, your PT has the necessary qualifications from a recognized institution (such as NSCA, NASM, UKSCA, among others). Just as we wouldn't hire a lawyer without the necessary training, the same goes for a PT.

In your initial sessions, he will rigorously assess your movement using various physical tests to determine the safest and most effective way for you to achieve your fitness goals. They will meticulously keep a record of your progress and ensure that you do not hit a plateau.

The PT will teach you how to perform each exercise safely and will closely monitor your technique throughout the session, providing corrections when necessary. They will also ensure that the session is well-organized to make the most of your time.

Whenever possible, he adapts to your schedule, being flexible when unexpected events arise and he is available to answer any questions even outside of training hours.

Taking a resolute holistic approach to training, he understands the paramount importance of fitness in overall health, having some knowledge of nutrition, improving rest and stress reduction strategies.

He will keep you motivated, hold you accountable, and provide encouragement to help you stay on track. He has the ability to adjust the session in case of injury to ensure that you can continue to progress.

Some well-trained PT also have extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals dealing with oncological processes, cardiac pathologies, diabetes, morbid obesity among others.

Personal training, is it for me?

Personal training is essential for everyone as it offers tailored attention and adjustments to suit individual needs from an expert in the field.

Hiring a personal trainer is a highly valuable investment for those who seek personalized guidance, motivation, and expertise to achieve their fitness goals effectively.

However, if you have the discipline, knowledge, and resources to manage your fitness journey independently, you may find it unnecessary.