I had a question posed to me the other day about why people pay for a personal trainer.  My answer was ultimately that a personal trainer helps them go further than they would on their own.  A personal trainer is a tool that can help them stay focused and move towards their goal.  Some people will push further because the trainer is there supporting and encouraging them to grow beyond what they think they're capable of.   They might do one more set or go 5 more minutes or even try something new. 

 

Working with a personal trainer is one of the things on my Wish List this year.  Why?  Because I will be more likely to actually show up for my workout.  It's so easy for me to push back my exercise time when my workload gets heavier, but I make the appointments I've scheduled with other people.   I would complete my workout instead of quitting halfway through like I do with a yoga video.  I would also have someone else focused on me reaching my goal.  That can be a huge support, especially when my motivation starts to wane.   

 

That's not to say that a personal trainer is a must-have.  But why not use all the tools you can to get where you want to go?  If a personal trainer isn't possible or desired, what can you do to get similar benefits?   Here are some possibilities:

• Take a class.  You're less likely to walk out halfway through the workout. 
• Get an exercise buddy and keep each other motivated & accountable. 
• Track your workouts.  Note the time, distance, reps, sets, weight, or whatever else you think of and pay attention to your improvement.
• Find an event or race that you can train for. 
• Share your goal and your achievements with someone who will cheer you on.  You can always email me.