This article was first published on our Fitness Blog Slim Down Shape Up on th 16th February, 2010. It can be viewed here

Ok, so it may seem like I’m trying to ‘toot my own horn’ here seem as how I am a personal trainer and I’m writing about the benefits that personal trainers provide. But its not just an all out advertisement for my own services – in the Hills District , instead its an ad for all personal trainers and a way to inform consumers of the benefits a personal trainer provides.

Before I start I want to emphasise that not all personal trainers provide these benefits. Some do and some don’t (intentionally and unintentionally). Think of it as a generalisation of the benefits that a personal trainer can provide.

Now we all know the obvious benefits such as:

• Exercise guidance
• Fun training sessions
• Help achieving fitness goals

But there are more benefits of a personal trainer. So lets look at the less obvious benefits:

• Accountability. You are less likely to skip a workout at the park if there is someone there waiting for you (who, I might add, you have likely paid to do so). People hire a personal trainer for the accountability he or she provides.
• Motivation. This is a bit more obvious and most know that a personal trainer motivates you to workout. But more than that a personal trainer motivates you to TRAIN HARDER than you would have. You may not even realise how much harder you train when you have someone their to encourage you. This means you burn more fat, build more muscle and see better results.
• The social aspect. Yes, some people hire a personal trainer so that there is a social side to exercise. This makes it more fun and the trainee feels more involved.
• Time efficiency. There are two sides to this. Firstly, a personal trainer can help you train effectively in less time, giving you more time to do other things. Secondly, if your personal trainer is a mobile personal training service then they come to you. Saving travel time that can add up to 1-2 hours if you normally drive to a gym and back.
• Confidence. If you know what you are doing will work then you are more likely to stick to it. This equates to better results and long term maintenance of your new fitness levels and body.
• Specific to you.  If you go into a gym and just do what everyone else is doing you will get the results that everyone else is getting. This is great if your training in an elite athlete gym like Defranco’s or similar. But chances are you aren’t and the people in your gym are just going through the motions on a treadmill or bike and hoping the time passes quicker. A good personal trainer can and will design a program specifically for you. You may have goals that are more specific than ‘lose weight.’ Perhaps you want to lose weight, improve your leg definition, fix your lower back problems and get stronger. A good personal trainer can do this.
• Enjoyment. Workouts should be fun, otherwise how will you keep doing them? Interactive workouts that are dynamic and challenging are great fun.

There you have it, the benefits of a personal trainer. These days there are all sorts of personal trainers and services for you to choose. Online personal training, mobile personal training, training in a gym, weight loss coaching, program design, dieticians, weight loss programs and sporting teams. Choose what is right for you and you will see the benefits.