Everybody's doing it. Why shouldn't you? Why should just the rich people get the best? People maintain and spend money on their cars, houses, lawns, pets, etc. In fact, the average person spends over $600 on just getting his or her hair cut and styled each year. So doesn't it make sense to use professionals to help you invest in a healthy body and healthy mind? Your attitude should be nothing but the best for your body. It's your most important asset. It requires investment like anything else of value. Your body is more important than your house, car, clothes.

Why do I need a personal trainer? Can't I just do all the exercises on my own?

The greatest temptation in all exercise programs is to quit after the first eight weeks. It is easy to quit on a program, for we all know how so many other things can seem to get in the way. Through no fault of your own, this has probably happened to you on a number of occasions. Personal trainers know the pitfalls and how to help you avoid them. Their motivation and direction will help keep you on track and help you achieve the results you want.

Isn't personal training only something movie stars and athletes do?

Personal training is for everyone. It's about becoming the best you can be, regardless of your shape, size, gender, age, or ability. Personal training programs and pricing can be designed to fit everyone's needs. Personal training can be done one-to-one or in a group. You will be surprised at how accessible and affordable personal training is for you.

Will a personal trainer really make a difference?

Yes! Studies have clearly shown that people who work with a trainer are 80 percent more likely to see the results they want.

Here are the top 10 reasons to use a personal trainer:

1. You receive individualized programming for your body type and for your specific needs and goals.
2. You experience unparalleled motivation and increased self-esteem.
3. You can maximize your time with pre-planned workouts.
4. You receive "cutting edge" information in training and nutrition.
5. You learn safety and injury prevention.
6. You will advance past plateaus.
7. You receive professional guidance and expertise.
8. You will be exposed to variety in types of training to help your personal growth.
9. There will be a progression of routines to keep your workouts fresh and interesting, designed for you and your lifestyle.
10. You will always have someone concerned and interested about your health.

It's nice to have someone who cares about you, motivates you, and is your "coach". It's great to have someone pat you on the back; it's great to have someone look out for your fitness and health. Do yourself a favour, treat yourself to personal training. Even if it requires cutting something else out of your budget, this is absolutely one of the best things you can do for yourself. It'll be one of the best investments you ever make.

How to find and what to look for in a trainer.

Many people find a trainer by joining a gym and watching several trainers in action before making a choice. If you do this, notice if the trainer is instructing or just counting. What's the trainer's bench-side manner? Some people hire trainers on looks alone because they think "Maybe I can look like them." A trainer's impressive physique also doesn't ensure that a good teacher dwells within. Education, communication, and patience are more valuable assets.

Professionally minded trainers often display brochures that list certifications, specialties, education, training philosophies, etc. Although certification doesn't guarantee that a trainer is knowledgeable or can communicate, it does show they have some level of knowledge and stay up-to-date. Still, lots of trainers remain uncertified. Avoid them.

Extra questions for your trainer.

• Do they have any additional specialties you might be interested in?
• Can they offer simple nutritional guidance, such as meal or menu planning?
• Do they give you a body-fat test? Take measurements?
• Will they design a portable workout with equipment you can take when you travel?
• Will they offer you discounts if you refer your friends?
• Can they also recommend other good trainers, in case you want information from a different perspective?

What a trainer looks for in you.

• Be curious and willing to learn.
• Take responsibility for learning how to adust the seats, change the weight, etc.
• Be punctual - if you're half an hour late, you lose.
• Not cancel an hour before your workout unless it's an emergency. Some trainers have a twenty-four hour cancellation policy and charge in full if you cancel on short notice.
• Treat the trainer and the work with respect.
• Not turn it into a therapy session. Sometimes this is what people need on an exceptionally rough day. But the trainer didn't go to school for counseling. The more you talk, the less you work.