Why Do We Need Personal Fitness Trainers?

If you are looking for a new fitness routine, you may want to consider checking out personal fitness trainers. Personal fitness trainers are a good idea to help motivate you and keep you on track. Not only that, but they can make up a good exercise routine that is personalized just for you and your fitness goals and needs. Besides this, these trainers can help you in some other areas as well.

Of course the main job of these trainers is to keep you on track with your workout routine. This is great for those who are not very disciplined when it comes to this aspect of staying in shape. It is also great to have positive motivation no matter what. They sometimes use pushy techniques to get you there, but this may be what some people need to really stay on track.

Besides keeping you on track with your workout, personal fitness trainers will show you how to eat properly. They will show you some healthy alternatives to other foods that you may want to eat. They can also show you how to prepare some of these dishes. Not only will they show you how to eat healthy and properly, but they can show you the correct size proportions to eat. Because it isn't just eating right, but eating the right amounts that will make a difference. They will also know what kinds of food and serving sizes will work with your fitness routine, in order to maximize your weight loss.

The first thing to do when you begin looking at personal fitness trainers is to get advice from your doctor. They can not only give you advice but also refer you to ones that may be right for you. Local fitness centers can also give you some referrals as well. Asking your friends isn't a bad idea either. Once you find a few that you may like, taking the time to interview them thoroughly. Let them know what your fitness goals are and ask them what they would do to help you. Be very specific with them, in order that they have all the details to choose from. Go over every aspect of their plans afterwards and compare them side-by-side. This will help you pick the one that you believe will meet your needs the closest or best. Another thing to check out when it comes to choosing among personal fitness trainers is the times that they are available. This is very important when coinciding with the times you are available. You want to make sure that you are meeting with them at least a couple times a week.

As you can see, choosing personal fitness trainers will take a little research and time. But in the end, if you desire good motivation and a healthier lifestyle, it just may be the option for you. Once you find one and see how well they work out, you'll be glad you took the time.

Personal Trainer Toronto

Personal Trainer Toronto - Your New Year's Resolution Gift 

January is almost over and already you begin to see people falling off the wagon with their workout routines. Five days a week is quickly turning into three and soon the average resolution setter will have long disappeared leaving the gym crowd-free once again.

Many of these people are lacking one simple element of motivation. They don't have a strong enough reason WHY they want to lose the weight or get in shape. There is nothing to keep them going, there are no clearly defined benefits to continuing to go to the gym. 

STILL NEED MORE HELP STAYING ON TRACK?

Personal Trainers are a great motivating tool when it comes to staying on track. They not only keep you accountable but ensure that you are getting the most out of your workout. 

HERE ARE THE "TOP 10 REASONS FOR WORKING OUT WITH A PERSONAL TRAINER"

1. An individualized fitness program designed specifically for you

2. Maximize your workout time

3. Increase performance in the areas of strength, flexibility, endurance, posture, balance, co-ordination, and cardiovascular health and fitness

4. Reach or maintain a healthy body weight

5. Learn correct form and technique for cardiovascular and strength training

6. Prepare for an event such as a wedding

7. Relieve boredom from the same workout routine

8. Learn new ways to improve your health

9. Have fun with your workouts by training with a motivating and fun individual

10. Reduce stress and anxiety

When looking for a personal trainer, make sure they offer a free evaluation or consultation before you train with them because this is the best way to see if you like their training style.

Stay strong with your New Year's resolution and get fit in 2007. Having a healthy and sexy body is the best gift you can give yourself.

Personal Training Certifications - Not All are Created Equal

Personal trainers play an important role in the lives of many who are struggling and aspiring health and condition-conscious people. But how do you 'validate' your skills as a personal trainer? Personal training certifications are essential if you are a dedicated personal trainer (PT), interested in giving the best to your clients, and to get a good income of course.

Just perform a Google search on "Online Personal Training Certification", and you'll actually come across a whole long list of certifications - there was one which seemed like a joke as it costs only USD49.99! But the fact is .. that there are tonnes of personal training certifications out there - which one is the best and can offer you the experience, knowledge, training, satisfaction and a chance at a great personal trainer salary?

In my opinion, the personal training scene here in Malaysia is not as competitive and as lucrative as it is in most other countries. If you would read up the profile of the personal trainer at your gyms, you would notice that only a handful have taken the initiative to get certified by an independant and recognised certification body (ACE, FISAF, etc), while the rest of them (which is almost MOST of them actually) only possess an in house certification.

In my opinion, unless the PT has a real genuine passion for his job, he'd make a lousy trainer if his knowledge and expertise depended SOLELY on what he learns at the in house certification course. Most of the time, the in house courses are only recognised by that one fitness chain itself, and not the others. I've also had the opportunity to glance through some of their training materials, which interestingly, even addresses the area of convincing members at the gym to sign up for personal training packages. It even includes sample questions and answers, what you should say if given a particular excuse not to sign up, etc. Yes, thats sick! Now you know why some of the rotten ones can sometimes be so persistent and annoying.. its cos they studied how to!

To those of you who have not heard of the ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) the ISSA is recognised worldwide and are very highly respected in this field. Anyway, personally, I've always been very keen on certifications from the ISSA myself, mainly because:

1. I know people who have sat for ISSA certifications - and they are top notch personal trainers.

2. I've seen some of their examination questions before, and they make the most sense when compared to a few others.

3. The convenience and the freedom/flexibility to study at your own pace, and sit for an online exam.

For me, being here in Malaysia, having to juggle a busy work schedule and my time at the gym doesn't leave me much time to enroll myself in a class to study for a certification. I wish I could just sit for the exam and skip the course materials! And the ISSA gives you just that - the freedom to study at a relaxed pace and to sit for the online exam when you're ready. That alone, is enough to swing my decision to them, but the fact that they actually are a credible voice in this industry.. is a very welcome bonus.

There are many who aren't all out for online certifications, and I don't blame them. For example, a complete newbie would need to familiarize himself with exercises, technique, and have a good understanding of our health and bodies. For someone like me, or anyone who's been around the scene for a good few years - an online certification could be just what they need to take their career to the next level since we already have the basics nailed down. Although there's nothing like having a real live person in front of you to interact with, I'm actually pretty comfortable with their in depth study materials and support offered.

The ISSA offers a completely online personal training course. You can sign up, read materials, take practice tests, and sit for the real certification exam all online. No need to talk to a real person. This does have its up and downs.. but I do believe that the quality of their syllabus, and if you really are a dedicated person and are passionate about it - getting certified will easily place you 10 notches above the average PT in your gym who only carries an in house certification.

The ISSA offers certifications in various categories, but I've personally had my eyes set on the Specialist in Performance Nutrition (SPN) certification for quite some time now. Its not really a course that gets you involved in training an individual, but pretty much a specialised course to understand the role nutrition plays in our bodies and how we can best maximise that for maximum performance by our bodies.

In Malaysia today, especially among the fitness chain giants, where a majority of PTs only possess an in-house certification program - having your own cert will differentiate you from the rest. If you're looking for the best 'study-as-you-go' certification that will be able to fit in your busy schedule, I'd say that an ISSA certification would be your best option. Hey.. it's what I myself would sign up for. ;)

I write with great interest about the ISSA simply because in the right hands - it has the benefits of excellent in-depth materials coupled together with convenience. Now thats a perfect combination. I plan to get ISSA certified over the next few months if all goes well... so wish me luck!