Last week, I discussed overcoming body shaming, and from what I wrote you know now I am taking the initiative to get over the shaming’s damage and hired myself a personal trainer. Now as a new mom, being employed full-time, and a wife, I can only commit to one day a week consistently with the trainer, but the magic of having a trainer has been priceless and has only helped me. And my gym has reasonably priced plans that I have the ability to do this for myself.

But you may not be in the position I am in and wonder if getting a trainer is right for you.  So, I am here to help guide you to making a decision if a trainer is right or wrong for you.  The pros to getting a trainer

1. Tailored and supervised workouts- trainers are hired to give you individual plans based on your needs, goals, fitness level, and limitations.  A trainer is supposed to be a professional, that assesses your strengths, weaknesses, and objectives to craft a workout program personalized to your needs. 
2. Motivation and Accountability – this is something I personally needed when I decided to get a trainer.  Part of the trainer’s job is to be your personal cheerleader and to motivate you throughout your sessions and then some.  They should be pushing you to your best for you to succeed and stay on track.  For me, I needed the one day a week accountability and the accountability. Even though I see my trainer one day a week, she gives me the motivation daily to make sure I am getting my other workouts in and eating right.  For me it’s more than just one day a week, I have access to my trainer all the time. And she has given me the confidence to know what to work out and how to do it when I am not in session with her.
3. Proper Form and Technique – for the injury prone, a trainer is most useful here as they will give you direct feedback on your performance i.e. your form and technique. 
4. Variety and Progression- Trainers will keep your workouts fresh and challenging. I know from a personal standpoint; I haven’t been able to lift the way I do now ever in the past. I am adding more weight weekly and doing it in a safe way under the watchful eye of the trainer.
5. Goal Achievement- the trainer is there to help you achieve your goals, especially if you have a really good one, you could potentially hit goals fairly quickly.  Since I have been with my trainer, I am already close to hitting my short-term end of year goals. And working on my long-term goal now and new goals, like lifting more.

However, with all the pros there of course need to be cons.

1. Pricey- whatever you decide, just remember it’s not just a money investment, but an investment in yourself. Just remember it’s pricey, and a long-term investment, but it’s an investment that could potentially be worth it if you can afford it.
2. Scheduling constraints– this is one I suffered with and almost didn’t allow myself to get a trainer because of this. I have a hectic schedule and can’t keep consistent times. However, I had one day a week that I took time for myself and could make consistent. It took a lot, but after a lot of thinking, I used that to get a trainer. If you can commit to a day of the week, you are fine, but if you can’t that may be a reason not to get a trainer.
3. Self-Motivation– It’s either you want to make the change and you want the help or you don’t. Trainers aren’t for everyone; I have heard stories of those who go to the gym with a trainer and don’t put in the work. And they don’t even put in the work outside the trainer, they do what they need to do for the sake of it.  To have a trainer you should be self-motivated, you need to put the time and effort in outside the trainer whenever you can. Don’t phone it in.
4. Fit compatibility– Sometimes you just can’t find the right person for you. Not every trainer works for every person and if you are going to invest the money in the trainer you should find someone who is right for you.

In the end trainers are worth it if you can find the right one and can dedicate the time to put in the work outside the trainer.