When I started training myself at the age of 16, I was given a personal trainer for a couple of weeks who actually showed me around and taught me how to use the equipment. Even though the concept of personal training was still foreign to Pakistan. I was lucky enough to have someone give me the right start. After the initial two weeks, I started training on my own and did so for 3-4 years on and off.
When I met my mentor, he not only designed a program which he changed every 10-12 weeks. He also changed the way I trained for the longest. And eventually within 2 years or so I was able to get in the best shape of my life plus with loads of knowledge as well. The difference between me training on my own without a proper “PLAN” and training under someone with 8 to 10 years of experience was day and night. Even when my mentor left Pakistan, I still kept training with him and till this day I cycle through different programs which he gave me over the years I spent with him.
Usually, whenever anyone starts their fitness journey they have two options:
1) Search and read about what to do and how to do on their own
2) Hire a qualified professional (Fitness Trainer)
Option one where a person is doing everything on their own requires a lot of time and energy plus even after reading whatever is available, they still can’t differentiate between good and bad information. To get only good information they need a “bullshit filter” and trust me there is more than enough bad information available everywhere these days.
Plus, it will still be hit and miss and you’ll end up learning through trial and error. Your coach can be that bullshit filter for you. You can bounce ideas off them and get the correct information only.
It’s just not about the right information – there is no replacement for “experience”. A coach who has spent time learning and practically implanting his knowledge is worth his weight in gold and no matter how theoretically educated and well-informed a person becomes they can’t have the same impact as someone with practical knowledge.
Once you sign-up with a personal trainer, they usually have a particular schedule (at least the good ones) and you have to follow it, not only it gives a structure to your day. It also means that you have committed a certain time to your coach and most people show up for their sessions more with a trainer.
A fitness trainer or coach can literally change your life. I keep using the following analogies to explain it to everyone.
When you get sick what do you do?
You go to a doctor of course, who is a qualified professional and can provide you with the best solution for your problem.
Similarly, when your car breaks down what do you do?
You go to a mechanic, who is a qualified professional in that particular field and can help you fix your car.
So, it makes sense to go to a personal trainer when you need to take care of your health and physique because he or she can take out the guesswork and can make you reach whatever your fitness goals are quicker.
A “Good” personal trainer can assess you and make a proper plan for your particular goal. We are all different, we have different lifestyles, different jobs, and limitations (injuries) so everyone needs to have a program which can work for them according to their goals and restrictions.
He/She can take out the randomness and make sure that you get exactly what you require because “RANDOMNESS WORKS TILL IT DOESN’T”.
