Hiring a personal trainer can help give you the motivation that you need to work out and lose weight on a more regular basis. Unfortunately, inexperienced or unsafe personal trainers may promise that you will lose a large amount of weight in a short amount of time. This is an immediate red flag for a trainer who may use unhealthy methods or flat-out lies to snag and keep clients. Choose a trainer based upon methods, rather than false promises.
Weight Loss Recommendations
A good trainer will give you quotes on results based upon weight loss recommendations like those given by MedlinePlus. A safe rate of weight loss is no faster that one or two pounds per week. If you're working out with a trainer and she promises that you will lose five to 10 pounds in a week, she may be employing unhealthy tactics, including severe caloric restrictions. Even though a trainer can give you the motivation to work out on a daily basis, a safe rate of weight loss must be maintained to condition your body and protect your health.
Benefits
Hiring a personal trainer can be a good choice if you lack the motivation and dedication necessary to go to the gym or workout on a daily basis. Knowing that you're spending money for exercise can help prevent your skipping workouts when you're busy or tired. Instead of a chore, it becomes an unbreakable appointment. Trainers have been trained and certified by a fitness certifying association, making them schooled in the correct form of different exercise to help protect your body.
Disadvantages
A personal trainer may not be a good investment if you don't have the money to spend. You'd be better off having a friend be your workout buddy rather than hiring a pricey trainer if your budget doesn't allow for a trainer's fees. When you hire a trainer, you act on a system of trust. You trust that a trainer will teach you the right exercises and train your body to be the best that it can be. A trainer who works for results rather than health could be teaching you unhealthy practices, like excessive dieting in order to expedite results.
Choosing Trainer
When you're ready to hire a trainer, interview several to get a basic feel for their various philosophies. Specifically ask how much weight a trainer thinks that you could lose in a week or two of training. A good trainer will explain that you'll need to maintain a safe rate of weight loss, while helping you understand the difference between weight loss and muscle gain. Choose a trainer that you feel comfortable with and who respects your body.
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