Why should I get a personal trainer?

So, I am a personal trainer. I work with clients on a 1-to-1 basis and also teach multiple group classes each week. But I also have a trainer of my own. This may seem weird to some people “why would you pay someone else to do something you can already do yourself?”. That’s a fair question. It’s a similar question to “why would I get a personal trainer when I can just ask AI for a program?” or “I already know how to use gym machines, what’s the point of paying a PT?” Honestly, all good questions and I can appreciate the thinking behind them, but let me explain why I’ve chosen to do it this way…

What can a personal trainer do for me?

First, I firmly believe that there is always someone who knows more than you. Whether that’s because they’ve been doing it longer or just because their experience is different to yours. There is always someone we can learn from, and I personally find that very exciting. This goes for all walks of life really, there’s always more to learn and incredible, interesting and passionate people to learn it from; no one likes a know it all after all! My trainer, Laura, is an ex-professional weightlifter who, apart from being a PT for 12 years has also represented GBR and England at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. This is a wealth of experience that I will never have myself but am very excited to learn from. Privately my training benefits from her experience and professionally my clients benefit from things I’ve learnt. So, everyone wins.

Second is the personal aspect of working with a trainer. I can, and do, go to the gym, pop my headphones in and workout in my own little world. I enjoy getting my head down and getting the work done and I always feel better for doing it. But this is just me, some people struggle with the solitary nature of a solo workout and find the social aspect of a group class gives them the motivation they need. That’s great and group classes can be amazing for this. Personally, I like having my own program and tracking my own progress in a way I wouldn’t be able to do within a group. I like the ‘me time’ of my solo workouts but I also really like that once a fortnight I can go and workout whilst having a chat and a catch up. I have someone to bounce ideas off and to check in with, who genuinely wants to help me progress and push myself.

Which brings me onto point 3 – I work best when I’m being pushed. Yes, I can write my own program, yes, I have the self-motivation to stick to it, and yes, I have the desire to keep pushing myself and progressing but do I do that better when I have someone behind me saying “come on girl, you’ve got this” Yes! Absolutely I do! A personal trainer is so much more than someone who gives you a generic gym program and then counts the reps for you (we’re also great dancers – just ask my clients!). A good PT is your biggest cheer leader, someone who can adapt your workout based on fatigue levels, new niggles / old injuries and who gently pushes you to do more than you think you can, because they really believe you can, and get a genuine kick out of seeing you progress. Even people who spend all day providing that for someone else need a dose of it themselves sometimes too.

What can a PT give me that AI can't?

So, what about the other statements like “I can use AI to get a program” or “I already know my way round a gym”. They’re both good and valid points. But AI doesn’t know you personally. It can only work with what you tell it, so if you don’t know that your squat is wonky or your back is rounded in your RDL then AI can’t help you fix it. A PT can. AI cannot be a 2nd pair of eyes to spot inconsistencies in form and it cannot tell you that you’re doing a great job, in the moment, when it really matters. A PT can. AI also won’t check in on you after the workout just to see how you’re doing. It’s very selfish.

You may know your way around a gym and have been using one for years. Great! Amazing! Keep doing it, please. Exercise is not only a vital part of staying physically healthy but it’s also incredibly important for mental health too. But if you find that you get bored doing the same things all the time, struggle with adherence, keep getting the same reoccurring niggles or just aren’t progressing as quickly as you’d like then a PT can help with that.

So yes, I am a PT who has a PT and as a result I am fitter, stronger, more confident and, I think, a better trainer to my own clients.

If this sounds like something that'd work for you too, get in touch to discuss what sessions I have available.

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