Health & Fitness Articles by Aidan Carroll
benefits of personal training - By aidan carroll
Any fitness professional that specializes in teaching group exercise classes has "war stories" about the difficulties of devising a routine that will satisfy the needs of every class member. Choosing the right exercises and offering appropriate modifications are not the only problems. Class length and the time of class is often the subject of debate. While group exercise classes offer the social benefits of camaraderie, people with specific fitness needs may sometimes end up being short changed.
When I teach a class I always give each student a brief medical screening. This gives me a sneak preview of each student's current fitness levels and also an understanding of the students exercise history, but most importantly it allows me to gauge the level of the intensity of the class. I modify and/or give adaptations if and when needed. However even if modifications are offered, some participants are too embarrassed to accept them, due to a fear of feeling embarrassed in front of the other students. On the other hand, an extremely fit student might find that they are not getting enough challenge in their workout. For another student, the class may be perfect, but the time is completely inconvenient. This student may find herself racing to get to class on time, and often missing the first five minutes.
The solution for many of the above-mentioned exercise participants often involves exercising solo. However, this can pose a number of other problems which can include incorrect form and inappropriate progressions. This is where the services of a personal trainer can be a worthwhile investment.
Many people enjoy the benefits of personal training, but most do not. Some find it hard to see the advantages of personal training, when they can improve their fitness on their own. There are a number of ways, however, that a personal trainer can provide invaluable assistance.
Below I have listed a few of the many advantages of Personal Training...
Motivation
Motivation is one of the largest struggles encountered when trying to improve your fitness on your own and it is the primary advantage of personal training. This is also why many people exercise with a personal trainer. When someone expects you to be there that makes workouts more enjoyable, there is much less reason to stop. A personal trainer will provide a powerful motivational force in your routine, giving you incentive and responsibility when it comes time to exercise.
Efficiency
Anything you do that you don't need to, or that there is a better way to do, is a loss of efficiency. Also, focusing on areas you don't need to work on instead of areas that need work is a waste of effort. Personal training can both reduce wasted time, while increasing the gain in fitness.
Knowledge
Do you know exactly how each workout helps you? Or what areas you need to work on the most? Even if you don't want personal training long-term, just spending a few months with a personal trainer can vastly improve your knowledge of exercise, giving you a very long-term gain for a short-term investment.
Customized Program
Personal training will also provide you with a fitness program designed just for you, as a trainer can evaluate your fitness level and tell you exactly what aspects need to be improved, and what you can do to improve. Also, if you want to do something specific, such as play a certain sport, a personal trainer who specializes in that field will be able to provide you with a workout tailored to your specific needs.
A personal trainer can put the "personal" back into your workout. Not only will your trainer devise exercises that are best suited to your fitness goals, you can usually plan your sessions for a time that is convenient for you. Since you will be exercising in private, you need not worry about competing with other students, or holding them back because your fitness level is considerably higher. Your trainer will also make sure that you are performing the exercises in impeccable form. This is crucial to making progress. Additionally, most trainers make a point of keeping current in the latest fitness trends and research, so you can be assured that your fitness routine will never be outdated. Many personal trainers also study other areas of wellness, such as nutrition and sports injuries. In the long run, hiring this type of trainer will give you more bang for your buck or euro :-)
Aidan Carroll NCEFl
Aidan Carroll has been involved in martial arts for over 20 years. He has studied many arts including Shotokan, Ju-jitsu, Aikido, and holds a 2nd degree black belt in kickboxing. Aidan is one of only 4 Irish men in the world to hold the instructors diploma in Krav Maga. Having done door work in many different pubs and clubs in Ireland for 3 years, Aidan quotes " When a situation becomes live and is taken outside of the Dojo (training arena) with respect , no other art I have studied is more practical than Krav Maga". Aidan graduated from the University of Limerick and holds a level 2 NCEF diploma in Anatomy and Physiology and Personal training. Aidan is also a sports injury rehabilitation therapist and a strength & conditioning coach and is also trained in emergency first aid and CPR.